For B2B marketing professionals, Facebook can be just as bleak. You don’t have to sell high-fructose foods or video games to amass a meaningful Facebook fandom. Even a marketing automation provider can inspire a vibrant Facebook community. Our newest presentation, “ 10 Ways to ‘Solve’ Facebook for B2B ” (hashtag #B2Bfacebook), highlights 10 actionable tips – real things you can start (or stop) doing to make a measurable difference in your Facebook marketing efforts. 10 Ways to "Solve" Facebook for B2B. But it doesn’t have to be that way. MORE >>

So I asked a few of my friends … What do you think it takes to become powerful on Facebook? Facebook forces companies and people to compete for attention pixel-by-pixel. ” RANDY GAGE , Author, Risky Is the New Safe: “Influence comes from value – creating a FB community that brings value to the people who participate there.” We create outstanding visual images that people like to share on Facebook, driving traffic back to our own website.” But on the Internet, we HATE rules. We HATE structure. That’s unprecedented. Human. MORE >>

Online communities are not neutral. They fundamentally change the nature and way a company does business. When launching an online community it is important that companies take a hard look at what the social footprint will do to their operations. For example, if your company's customer care processes are not up to snuff then perhaps you are not ready for an online customer community just yet. Here are 5 key points to consider when developing a community feedback triage plan: Examine the source of information: Who is doing the talking? Be Proactive. MORE >>

Facebook is an extraordinary phenomenon. And it’s become an imperative point of presence for businesses (or has it ?). Also included are a few posts from Facebook proponents, and skeptics, to help you determine if you even really need to be concerned with any of this — or if your social media marketing efforts might be best directed elsewhere. Facebook Marketing Tips and Tactics. How to set up a Facebook fan page that works by Direct Creative Blog. How to Better Engage Facebook Fan Page ‘Fans’ by Social Media Examiner. Facebook Advertising. MORE >>

I have been researching and building online communities since 1991 – a seriously long time. Recently, I have been building case studies about B2B online customer communities, which I will be sharing through this blog in the coming weeks and months. This intersection of ability and activity – experienced observer and in-depth, measured research – has helped me spot some early success indicators for B2B customer community builders. Pattern #2: It's Always Something But It's Never the Same The customer's problem is evergreen, but ever-changing and of business significance. MORE >>