Several weeks ago I wrote a post about using contests to attract fans to Facebook pages. On November 4, Facebook issued guidelines that impose strict restrictions on the use of contests, making them effectively impractical for individuals and small businesses. Mari Smith has written a good article explaining the guidelines.
Think about other ways to offer value to people who visit your Facebook fan page or group, while still adhering to the Facebook guidelines. For example, you can set these pages up as information portals, offering valuable tips and links. Also, consider offering downloads of a free ebook or a sample chapter from your book.
Twitter contests are still a good promotional tool for authors and publishers. So far, it appears that Twitter has placed no restrictions on contest promotions, so long as their anti-spam rules are not violated. See the Twitter rules for more details.
It seems just when we have FB figured out, they go and change the rules.
The lesson... keep up on the latest and greatest of what is going on.
Some people think once they learn the rules and guidelines of anything, all is well in the world. The fact is, things are constantly changing and it is a never ending learning process.
If you don't have time to do it all (research) why not have your VA do it for you and give updates?
Posted by: Kathleen Gage | November 18, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Thanks Kathleen -- it certainly is a challenge to keep up!
Posted by: Dana Lynn Smith | November 18, 2009 at 11:36 AM