Author Archive
Will Facebook Ever “Get” Privacy Issues?
Posted by: | CommentsI am all for getting found online. Getting found in person is a whole different thing though. Maybe it’s my background as a divorce lawyer. I just think all this geo-tagging stuff (like foursquare.com) is dangerous for some people. So I let out a small gasp when my niece announced that her friend had used a new Facebook service called Places.It only works from an iphone or HTML5 mobile browser.
The new Places service lets you “check in” at various physical locations. But the really disturbing part is that it allows your friends to check in for your. So if a friend sees you at a concert, that friend can post, excuse me “check in,” for you and announce your location to the world. That’s a bad idea for some people – like anyone involved in a domestic violence situation. Also for anyone who is being stalked by a whacked-out former spouse or romantic partner.
You can block Places by going to the privacy settings panel. I did it first thing this morning. The ACLU has a web page about the various privacy settings for Facebook Places.
Another Reason to Verify Your Google Places Account
Posted by: | CommentsGoogle announced today that businesses can now publicly respond to reviews posted to Google Places – but only if you have a verified account. As part of the consolidation into Google Places, the big G showed consumer-posted reviews of local businesses. (They are still in a dispute with review site Yelp.com over the reviews). While some believe that any publicity is good, when someone publicly posts a bad review of your practice the natural inclination is to want to respond. Until now, that has not been possible. So it’s time to verify your Google account.
Of course, interacting with those who post reviews is good business too. Take the time to thank them. After all, they took the time to compliment you! Big G even has some tips on responding to both positive and negative reviews of your business.
We’ll be talking about Google Places on the Third Thursday call this month. Join us if you’d like to know more about getting your practice found online.
Who’s In Charge?
Posted by: | CommentsI’m always encouraging you to make sure you have a website and blog that you control. That’s because when you rely on someone else’s site, especially a social media platform like Facebook or Twitter. Today someone learned that lesson the hard way, when Facebook shut down a page with over 47,000 members.
Here’s the short version: two year old group, 47k members and a vanity url that violated the terms of service, although not intentionally. (“Realtor” is a registered name, so facebook.com/socialrealtor was a violation). Instead of trying to work things out in a way that everyone involved seemed willing to do, FB just closed the page. *pOOf*
UPDATE: With the intervention of Mari Smith, “the Pied Piper of FaceBook,” the page was reinstated with a new vanity url.
While having a social media presence is part of a solid marketing plan, it should only be part of your overall plan. What is crucial is that you have a website and blog that work together to get your practice found online. FYPO can help you get your marketing plan going by teaching you how to set up an online marketing plan for your practice.
You can engage us individually, by enrolling in one of the courses or by joining the Third Thursday Teleseminar. All three methods also include membership to the Members Only Tech Lounge, where you will find all sorts of resources to get a marketing plan for your practice up and running.
2nd UPDATE: The most popular link shortening service bit.ly was booted off Facebook yesterday. It’s all back now, but this uncertainty is why you need your own hosting service and your own WordPress blogsite.
What is ALT Text?
Posted by: | CommentsWhen you add a picture to your blog there is a line for “ALT text.” If you don’t use any, you are asked if you’re sure you don’t want to add it. ” With more people accessing the internet from mobile devices, ALT text is becoming more important. What is it and why the focus on Alt text?” you may ask.
ALT text is the text description that appears when your reader has images turned off or uses a mobile device that doesn’t display images. If you use Gmail or an iphone, you have seen alt text displayed. If you use a logo, you want to have alt text with your company name in it so that the description is displayed. On your reader’s screen it will appear as something like “My_Company_Logo.” Add a bit of SEO to your email or blog post by paying attention to your ALT text.
