Anybody using facebook as an interface for customers?
I am trying it out - seems that there is a lot to facebook I dont understand...maybe if I was 15:lol
Anybody have any ideas or suggestions, Im certainly open to them.

Ya'll go by and tell me what you think....
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Brothers-Blades-by-Dennis-L-Brothers/124112090995576

thanks

I do not use it, and refuse to. But keep in mind that I am in the "service end" of the cutlery industry. There is no such thing as an 'emergency sharpening.'

Additionally, I am trying to ease into a semi-retirement. My phone rings enough. In fact, I give my wife and friends a special ring tone, and I do not pull off of the highway to answer anything else. (My wife always laughs at Gibbs on NCIS when he's building his boats, because I do the same thing.)

However, for a younger man trying to build a clientele and provide good customer service it might be a good idea to utilize some form of instant messaging. I'm just not sure that Facebook is the place for business. Anything typed goes into a ageless server and you have lost control.

I have a business card with a dedicated cell phone number and an e-mail address to a 'spam trap.' If a problem ever arises I can trashcan that entire span of information.

I don't want to sound negative, but I do not like most people.

...intersting thoughts Tourist...
my wife says "facebook is the Devil.:smash:.." ya'll would probably get along :)

Im certainly not a computer geek, but I tried the website thing and it was just too expensive, irritating and time consuming for me. Who knows, facebook may be the Devil..:flame:

I clicked on your link and it told me I have to log in to see the page. I don't have a personal account (my business does - http://www.facebook.com/pages/R-Payne-Creations/140611155996782). If you set it up right anyone should be able to see your page. I personally am not impressed with the response but have just started a bit ago and it hasn't been up long.
Time will tell if it is a good idea or not.

ron

I use it to connect with friends, family and other knifemakers it has helped me sell some knives but i don't play games on it or use any of the applications. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=693330477&ref=profile

Bob

My first knife sale actually came through facebook... and it wasn't even mine! hahah... a buddy of mine had actually posted a link to one of my vids showing a necker I made, and a guy (whom neither of us knew at the time) asked if he could buy it.

That being said, I currently don't try to sell knives on facebook, but I know a few people that do, who seem to have quite a bit of success with it. Keep in mind though, that many of the sales you may get through facebook may not be JUST from someone who "happened" upon your facebook, but the fact that you linked someone to your facebook page from another avenue. Similiar to having a website I suppose... It's just an easy way to post commentary, pictures, status, etc... and something that people can easily link to or find.

I'd recommend it as a supplement.

I clicked on your link and it told me I have to log in to see the page. If you set it up right anyone should be able to see your page. ron

Ron, thanks for the feedback, I did not know that about the page. Does anyone know how to set ut up so anyone can see it?

On your profile page top right click on the drop down menu and go to privacy settings.

Bob

I had help setting things up, so I can't answer your question but have one for you. Is that link to a business/organization type page or a personal page? There are different settings for the business stuff.

ron

it is to a business page - that may be part of the problem. I also have a personal page, may need to link them or delete/change one.

I tried your link again and it still tells me I need a personal page to view your page. I can look at other business pages without needing a personal page. I don't know what the problem is. I would guess it is your settings but can't help as I don't understand how they set things up either.

ron

I think it is wise to look at the new media available especially if you dont have a strong client base and certainly if you are trying to build. I have a facebook page and used it a little, still struggling on how to filter through all the friend requests and make the most of it w/o being a pest.

I blame Johannes Gutenberg for all the trouble in modern communications, if he had not invented the press we would still be showing our wares in front of our shop in a proper manner >>>>>>> my point being this is the modern printing press, it is there for you to use if you wish or you can continue to scribe.

Hey. Young guy here new to the forums and knife making as a whole. I do internet marketing, and I'll have to say facebook is integral to marketing on the net. Though it needs to be done right. You don't want to spam your followers, but instead engage them to participate in things you post. Needs to be done with elegance.

One thing you're going to want to do is make something called a "business page." It's a lot different than a personal page, and there are different options to choose from. If you're a local store, you'll want to have a business page to reflect that, so that people that go to your knife store can "check in" and notify their friend's that they're at your establishment. If you don't have a brick and mortar business you'll want to pick the correct option. Do you have your own brand of knives, then pick the brand/product option. Just be sure to pick the correct option so you won't have to change it later on. After that you can change the personal page you made into a business page, and that will transfer any of your friends into "fans" of your business.

Hope that helps.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php

Edit: just realized you probably have it setup right, sorry. :D

I have a bidness page and do pretty good off it. The tech stuff is handled by my wife, so I can't really answer questions. Just know that I sell knives off it:-)

128K,

Are you a Facebook employee?

All of my knife customers/friends are on FaceBook and I have made many sales just by posting a knife. I don't have a website but FB does a great job of showing my past work and anything new. Almost every time I post a custom knife one of my FB friends wants one for themselves.

It's free and you will always do better advertising to people that know you.

FB is nothing more then a digital bar or club that you hang out with only the people you want to. I also scored a side job by finding a lady that I went to school with.

It's a perfect platform for small hobby businesses to get their products displayed for free.

Coming from a younger generation, i would say that Facebook and Twitter are absolutely essential tools to use to advertise yourself and your business. i can almost guarantee that when you make a business page on either of those social networking sites, you are sure to sell knives. If you don't have one yet, then make one. Just my $.02.
dave