Automated postings: Some bloggers like to have their WordPress post go directly to Facebook. Even though this reduces the number of steps for you, I don’t recommend it for one reason- you can’t personalize the link. Customizing links: The default link that Facebook grabs may need a bit of tweaking before it’s ready to go.
1.Grab your URL and paste it into your status bar. This is what it looks like when you do.
2. Notice how the status area has the URL and then the link preview shows below? You should erase the link URL in the status and put something specific or with a hook.
3.Now you can customize the actual link itself. If you have more than one image in your post, use the arrows to pick one that best describes your post.
4.Click on the wording in the link preview. It should turn yellow. Then click again. Now it’s ready to be edited! Write a captivating summary that makes the post more enticing. For purposes of this tutorial, I edited both the title and the summary.
5.Now you are ready to paste the link!
•Advertise upcoming posts: If you have time, why not create an image or infographic that gives readers a head’s up about what is coming up on your blog? I do this occasionally when I have some extra time. Another blogger who does this regularly is Elizabeth Halford. She has gorgeous images to tease her upcoming posts.
Use an image instead of a link: Sometimes people just have link blindness. Try pasting an eye-catching image first and then write in the caption area- “the story continues at…”
Timing: If you have a Facebook page with at least 30 likes, you should be able to see insights into your links. Which ones do well? Nighttime posts, daytime, or morning? Pay attention and plan accordingly. Try to vary the way you post your links so people don’t get bored with the same old thing each and every day. I’ve written an article about strategy and timing with social media sites on Hubpages.
Pay to promote: Many bloggers are furious that Facebook is now charging for promoting posts, but unfortunately it is the lay of the land now. If you have a post that you think will help gain readership in the long term, consider forking over $5.00 to promote it. You’ll see quadruple the interaction because your link is now at the top of the newsfeed. Use sparingly and only when you have a post that is truly epic.
What NOT to Do on Facebook
1. Don’t paste the link if an image doesn’t show up. Try first using the short link or log off of Facebook and log back in. People will not be likely to view it if it looks ugly.
2. Don’t paste the link more than 2 times in 24 hours. I know people do a link paste in the morning and late at night. Any more than that and you might cause people to hide your page from their newsfeed because it is annoying.
3. Don’t paste the link and then comment on it several times before anyone has said anything. It looks like you are talking to yourself.
4. Do not link your Twitter and Facebook. They are two very different platforms and while it is perfectly fine to tweet out your link three times in a day on Twitter, Facebook isn’t meant for the constant conversation that the Twitter feed can handle.
5. Follow the rules of Facebook groups. If it is a group for technology, don’t paste your blog link about your cat, no matter how epic you think it is. I realize this seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people do this.
With a little bit of creativity, some common sense, and a bit of self-control, you can maximize your Facebook referrals to your blog!
