Facebook Tips From the Pros

boostyourbuswithfacebookFor those of you who may or may not know September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.  In conjunction with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Facebook hosted a “Boost Your Business’ event in Chicago and I am happy to say that I participated.  These events are taking place around the country, so I encourage each of you to find out if it is coming to a city near you and if so register.  It’s FREE and it is INVALUABLE.

The event started off with remarks from Congressman Luis Gutierrez who spoke not only about how he uses Facebook, but how successful his office has been about sharing important and useful information on Facebook for his English as well as his Latino constituents.  The Congressman shared how successful his interactions have been on Facebook as well as the criticism.  His remarks demonstrated just how much Facebook means in our daily interactions.  Facebook is no longer social it is a lifeline, keeping people up-to-date not only on the social but political and other aspects of life as well.

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During an amazing presentation from one of the Facebook staffers, we learned that millions of people navigate social media today and that Facebook has worked hard to tailor your experience to meet your specific needs.  Utilizing Facebook ads, you can specifically target your demographic by gender, age, employment status, time of usage and so many more options.  Using Facebook ads can be an inexpensive impactful asset to your business.  You can also review in real time how effective your ads are and determine, how much, how little and how often your ads are shown to Facebook users.  What helpful information right in the palm of hand or right on your laptop.

There was also a panel discussion with local business owners who are currently using Facebook to promote their business.  They answered pre-selected questions from event registrants about the effectiveness of Facebook and social media in regard to their business.  One major take away from the panel was how immediate you can assess the results of a Facebook ad versus traditional media platforms where it may be some time before you can see the results of your advertising budgets.  The panel of small business owners gave event participants great information on how advertising and marketing with Facebook can be beneficial to successful business.

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In addition to celebrating the contributions of Hispanic and Latino owned businesses, the seminar demonstrated just how valuable Facebook can be to your business.  Before I attended this workshop I was not aware of just how useful Facebook could be to growing my business.  Now there is no doubt that Facebook is a tool that every business no matter what the size, can help with advertising and promoting your services and your business almost better than radio and television advertising.  Facebook is gaining momentum as an advertising and marketing tool.  There were even some apps recommended such as Boomerang and Hyperlapse, which can help you effectively market your business or services.

facebook-businessChicago is not the only stop on tour.  To see where else the event is headed and to see if it will be in a city near you check Faceboo Boost Your Business events.    Check Facebook for Facebook Business as well as courses to learn the various ways that Facebook can help you Boost Your Business.

An African City

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So recently I came across a new show (maybe just new to me) named an African City.  An African City is a show about 5 women from different countries in African that have all returned from the US or London to start new lives in Ghana.  The show chronicles the lives, careers, relationships of these five friends who share their candid journeys on the show.

There are issues that come up in the show that many of us are faced with, buying real estate, natural hair, seeing the one that got away and contemporary issues that are faced on the continent.  The women are frank, fashionable friends and fabulous.  The show also showcases the wonderful fashion that the continent of Africa has to offer.

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I really enjoy the fact that the episodes highlight issues that happen in Africa and that are also happening in America.  There is an episode that addresses the AIDS epidemic on the continent and I feel that the way the writers dealt with the issue was excellent.  There were other issues that came up such as when you see your ex with his new boo, or when you first come back home and end up at your parent’s house.  While not as serious as the AIDS issue, definitely issues that some of us has faced as we come of age.

I binged watched Season 1 and cannot wait for Season 2 to come out.  The show is on You Tube or online at www.africancity.tv.