Facebook Messages - A Unique Feature That May Influence Digital Marketing

In November 2011, Facebook announced a new feature called Facebook Messages. This feature merges email, chat messages, Facebook messages and text messages into one single inbox, giving users greater control over communications received. The feature also prioritises messages based on a particular user's relationship with the sender. Previously, users had to visit different sections of a website, to read emails, SMSs or instant messages. With Facebook Messages, they will be able to see a single threaded conversation, from a single place.

This new feature could change the way digital marketing is done. Hence, it is important for digital marketing professionals to take suitable measures to ensure that they are not left behind. One of the number one things to do is to create a presence on Facebook right away. According to a 2010 survey of digital marketing professionals in the USA and UK, it was discovered that only about 44 percent of email marketers had a Facebook business page, while only 32 percent were thinking of building one over the next year. The remaining 24 percent said they had no intention of making one at all.

If you are a digital marketing professional, then the best time to launch a Facebook business page is right now! This is important, because with Facebook's Messages feature, the placement of a message in a user's inbox will depend on whether it is read or not. Users can change their privacy settings to get messages from a limited number of friends/ fan pages, or everyone. If a user has 'liked' your Facebook page, then a message you send him/her will be accepted, rather than bounced back.

After creating a Facebook business page, digital marketing professionals need to send emails to current and prospective customers to promote it. This email should have a message asking people to click on the 'Like' button to join. Also, there should be a facility on the Facebook page through which users can subscribe to company emails.

According to another survey, about 42 percent of email marketers said that they share email content on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter. They, however, do not share the entire content of their email, but only a few crisp sections, which they feel their fans may 'like', such as discount offers. Facebook users are very picky about the digital marketing brands they 'like' as this defines who they are to their friends. Though many Facebook users may like the product or service being sold, very few people would like to publicly announce that they do.

With Facebook Messages, the complexity of digital marketing increases further. Hence, it is important for individuals in the profession to continuously upgrade their knowledge, so that they can offer the best services to their clients.

Qudos Digital is a leading digital marketing agency and can be contacted on 020 8891 2077 or info@qudosdigital.co.uk.

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