Social networking site Facebook, aside from personal profiles, allows for Fan Pages as well as Group pages as networking tools. Do you know the difference between Facebook Groups and Fan pages?

More specifically, did you know you have the option to create a Fan page or become a fan and create a Group or join one yourself? Being networking tools, the aim of both is to help you connect with more people. Which one is more powerful, is an open question.

They are two very different networking tools, each with their pros and cons. In this post we’ll discuss some of the big differences in this two. Let’s start with Group Pages.

Groups

The concept of groups existed even before social networking became popular, for example Yahoo groups. They were and are easier to set up with most networking services. While the requirement slightly differs from site to site, basically you need to have a name for your group, file it under some category if necessary, write a small description about the group’s objective and you are on the way.

Members can join with a click of a button, subject to the administrator’s approval. Updates and messages are either emailed or made visible on the member’s social networking page. In most cases, group members can message each other through the groups’ messaging service, without being directly connected as well. Group pages also generally allow members to invite people into their mailing lists in bulk, making it easier to add members. However, groups are not accessible to non-members. Group pages are also not visible on internet search either.

With a Group Page you have the option of making it a Private Group, allowing access to only those people you want as part of the group, or it can be completely open.

Fan Pages

Fan Pages on the other hand are accessible to anyone. However, they generally require more effort to build. Facebook has recently announced that the new term for Fan, will be “Like” so that there is not so much pressure to “Become a Fan” of a Page, you will be able to click the Like button to join in the conversation.  Page owners/administrators will still have the responsibility to keep their page engaging and conversational so that visitors will “Like” their page and come back regularly for information.

Since a fan page is less restrictive in its access, it also allows for additional applications, like Polls and Quizzes as add-ons. Fan pages are generally more interactive allowing for discussions, video sharing, blog feed etc.

Since fan pages are accessible and searchable, many websites promote fan pages on their sidebars. Status updates and messages from fan pages are viewable on blogs, other social networking sites and websites.  Unlike group pages, fan pages generally don’t have bulk invite or mailing options. Invitations are sent individually to friends asking them to Become a Fan (or Like your Page)  or fan page URLs can be included in an email newsletter or signature.

So there you have two very different networking tools – fan pages and group pages. As mentioned before, each has its positives and negatives, and which one is better really depends on what your requirements are. If you want to start a page with the minimum of hassle and to limit it to an exclusive audience, a group page may be the better option.

On the other hand, if you want to promote your favorite singer or favorite event or your business, a fan page will allow you to build a snazzy and interesting page. Check out some of the custom Fan Pages we designed at Fabulous Facebook Fan Pages.  Generally, you can delete any pages you create. Trial and error is the best way to go. May the best tool win.

If you enjoyed, “Do You know the Difference Between Groups and Fan Pages?”

please share it with your friends by clicking the social media links below.

When I was growing up to “tag” was a game that you play outside with your friends and the object was “not” to be tagged.  Now in our ever-popular online social media world, tagging means something entirely different.

To “Tag” a friend on Facebook means to either mention them in a post and attached a link to their personal profile by adding the “@” symbol and typing their name.  Or another very popular way to tag is to upload a picture of your friends and then click on the photo and “tag” their name to the photo.

I found this really cute but very relevant video about when to tag and when not to tag your friends on Facebook.

Facebook Etiquette Part 1: Facebook Tagging Etiquette from Nick O’Neill on Vimeo.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 5 Cool Ways To Tag Your Friends In Facebook (makeuseof.com)

Did you find this post helpful?  Why not share it with your friend by clicking the links below.

This video will detail how to effectively manage the Facebook notifications from our friends that flood your personal email Inbox. If you get email messages from your Facebook friends inviting you to events, to join their Fan Page or to review comments on your wall, this video will help you manage the amount of notifications you get and eliminate the clutter from your personal email Inbox.

Streaming Video by Ustream.TV

Facebook has just released it’s Promotions Guidelines that detail how and where you can use contests, sweepstakes and promotions on your Facebook Profile and Fan Page. In a nutshell, Facebook has put the brakes on doing any of these without prior written approval and I’m thinking that’s not going to be easy to obtain.

Here are a few of the highlights of the new guidelines:

• You can’t promote any contest, competition or sweepstakes that require people to become a Fan of your Page to be entered
• You can’t use Facebook Fan Pages, your profile, chat, or messages to notify winners of any contests you administer
• You can’t require content on Facebook as a condition for entry in any sweepstakes or contest
• You can use third-party applications for entry into contests when content is required
• You can allow your Page Fans to access a Tab on your Page that contains the third-party application
• You can use a third-party application to collect an email address or mailing address in order to contact the winner of a contest

To fully understand these guidelines, how they effect your Facebook accounts and learn how not to be an “offender” you should print them and keep them handy. Click here Facebook Promotions Guidelines to review all the details.

Want to send a message to your friends on Facebook, but don’t know how? Here are simple steps to help you send messages through your Facebook Inbox and other helpful tips for sending messages in Facebook.

• Type the person’s name into the Search box at the upper right of any Page. When the search results are returned, click on the “Send a Message” link to the right of the result. A box will open to type in the subject and message. When finished, click “Send.”
  
• Open the Inbox and click on “Compose” the same box will open to type the specifics of your message
• To learn how to send a private message on Facebook, visit my YouTube Channel to view a short video where I walk you through the entire process.

Here are other tips to help with sending messages on Facebook:

• You can message up to 20 friends per message
• If you have a Group or Fan Page, you can send to all of your Group Members or Fans with one message
• Users can receive messages from anyone on Facebook, regardless if you are friends or not. To avoid this, go to Settings/Privacy/Search and under “Search Result Content” uncheck the box for “A link to send me a message.”
• Photos, videos and links can be attached to messages
• The Inbox is not intended for “live” conversations. The Chat option can be used for instant messaging others on Facebook
• Be careful of promoting a product or service or any type of advertising to your friends through the Inbox as it is considered spam and against Facebook policies
• The Inbox has search features for finding messages by sender, keywords, recipients or Friend Lists
• You can manage your Inbox notifications by going to Settings/Account Settings/ Notifications. Here you can select which information you would like to see in your Personal Email Account. For example, if you use Microsoft Outlook for your email management, you will receive an email each time you get a message in your Facebook Inbox. You can uncheck this notification to stop those emails from going to Outlook.

The Facebook Inbox is a great communication tool when used properly. It is just another alternative for connecting with your online friends and business contacts.

Want to stay up-to-date on all the current news related to Social Media? Take a look at this video.

http://facebook.com/socialmediatraining

Facebook is not just for kids, contrary to popular belief! In a recent update from Experian^® Hitwise^® Facebook users 55 and over, increased by 108% from September 2008 to September 2009. As more baby boomers are taking advantage of the many features of Facebook to connect with friends and family, market and grow their business relationships and even develop an online presence through Facebook for a new business, it is clear that Facebook is no longer just for the kids.

The 18-34 year old age group still leads the way in using Facebook, but the boomers are “hot on their trail.” And overall Facebook grew 194% within a year.

So, do you have a presence on Facebook? There are more than 300 million others who do. Experian^® Hitwise^® data reveals that Facebook is 2nd only to Google in the amount of visits to their site, and Facebook is #1 for social networking sites.

So again I ask, do you have a presence on Facebook? Everyone wants to be found in Google searches, and it looks like the next place to be found is Facebook!

Don’t know how to get started? Check out this easy to follow, step-by-step guide The Start Here, Now Do This Social Media Guide, to establish your Facebook presence, or just give us a call!