Entry 81 of 100
By ZK Queijo On December 23, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Since it's launch in 2004, Facebook has been a popular place where friends gather online to share photos, videos, and updates about their lives. If you were connected to someone else, you were considered a "friend."

This friend-to-friend network has been wildly successful. Over 39 million friends have connected with one another as of September, 2008, making Facebook second only to MySpace who has 59,352 million users. Being second isn't so bad, especially since the number of members represents an increase of 116% in just one year, compared to a 1% increase for MySpace in the same time period.

Friends become Fans
In 2007, Facebook added public Fan pages to expand social networking opportunities for businesses, organizations, customers and fans. Anyone can become a fan. These pages are free and open to the public.

You find them by searching for a company name, following fan links in your own network, or by finding the Facebook Fan link or button on the company's web site (the social network-savvy leaders in the industry will have such buttons on their sites -- those who don't should -- see Koofers.com for an example).

Facebook has found a way to mix business with pleasure by making it easy and affordable (free is definitely affordable) for companies to reach out and be found. Where else can you promote your business to 39 million potential fans?
To get started building your fan base, click here.


Related articles by ZKQ:
Face It: You Need to be on Facebook (Handshake2.0, Dec. 16, 2008)

Seizing Your Slice of the Facebook Pie (Handshake2.0, Dec. 17, 2008)