Since we setup our Facebook fan page back in 2010 it has built a following of around 7500 people. These followers have all hit the like button for our page at some point because they wanted to see what we posted. We have also paid Facebook to ensure that we get extra exposure and in turn generate more likes for our page. This in turn generates traffic and new member sign ups here on the main site.
All very well so far, well not quite. Previously when we posted something on our Facebook page mostof the people who had hit the like button would see what we posted, this is no longer the case. Due to changes in the algorithm they use (Edgerank) to determine how many of your followers do actually see your post, that 'reach' you previously had is now down below 20%.
You still have the ability to reach all of those people, but it's no longer free. You can use the promote post option, the price is dependant on the size of your audience and how many of them you want to reach.
So our referral traffic from Facebook is now down by around 80%. But, our referral traffic from new kid on the block, Pinterest is on the rise and has already sent us around 13,000 visitors since June.
So, if you haven't already, sign up for a Pinterest account and start pinning. (Pinterest is used to share images only, notice I've placed an image on this page so you can try this as your first pin!) Ask any questions in the comments and I'll do my best to get you started!
I'm looking into what we should be telling our fans, seems FB are changing stuff all the time so it's hard to know what to say without misleading anyone.
Checked the wife's settings for the ManxSki page - 'show in news feed' is ticked, 'Get notifications' isn't - what does the latter do and should I encourage fans to tick it?
I just clicked on Survive France and hovered over the 'liked' button, it came up showing 'Show in News Feed' was unticked. I ticked it and now hopefully I will get updates from Survive France on my Facebook.
Is it possible to put a message on the main Survive France site as a call to members firstly to do this (I didn't realise that FB had messed with my notifications!). Secondly to put this out of the Facebook page & to keep it tagged at the top of the page so people know 'If you want to keep up to date on Facebook from Survive France please do these steps...'
That's true, but if you actually want to reach the people who's likes you paid for you have to pay again!
If those people engage in your content, their Edgerank increases and consequently they have a better chance of seeing your posts. However, I have paid thousands or Euros to Facebook for many of those 'likes' and now they have throttled my access to the viewers that have said they want to see the posts we make!
James - from what I've read about Edgerank it looks like in order to up your Edgerank you need to encourage people to comment on the SFN page or add photos rather than just hit like. This increases the affinity & weight that affects the Edgerank algorithm.
I share your fb pain and embrace pinterest too. Following, re-pinnng and posting nice pics here for all to see and share http://pinterest.com/welovefrance/
