Comments on: Comics Marketing: Social Media Is Not The Answer, Even If You Want It To Be.

By: Kevin Church

Kevin Church — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:17:48 +0000

Thanks for your input, Mike.

1) Doing what you describe makes you beholden to ther terms and conditions of both those services, which means there’d be a Blogger-branded bar across the top of the blog and Flickr file information underneath each image. That is, if you were operating in accordance to the terms and conditions of those services. Not that there’s ways around that or anything. Honest. (Also, is it just me, or is there a real lack of attractive Blogger templates?)

2) Maybe Facebook should make the differences between “pages” and “groups” and “profiles” more apparent to users like myself so that when we create these things, we have half a clue about what we’re doing.

By: Mike Everleth

Mike Everleth — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:16:15 +0000

First, I want to say that you’re right on with the overall theme of your article. Acquiring a unique URL is a must-do thing for all creators. However, just a couple additional thoughts:

1) One doesn’t have to absolutely pay $10 a month for site hosting for a unique URL. One can set up a free blog at Blogger.com, then buy and register a unique URL/domain name. Then, Blogger will host your writing for free, you can put your artwork for free on Flikr and embed it, etc.

2) You’re absolutely right about Facebook user profiles and groups: Those are hidden behind log-in screens. However, if I’m not mistaken, Facebook PAGES are open to the internet and searched via Google. Non-Facebook users can also browse images, read notes and wall posts, et al., on those PAGES. I won’t put a link here so my comment won’t look like spam, but Google “Facebook Bad Lit” and you can see my page via the first result.

By: Rjackson

Rjackson — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:44 +0000

Agreed on most of the above about Facebook being part of the online presence, but certainly not the main presence of whatever your business/product is. Warren Ellis has talked a lot about the future of social networking and Ning, in particular, and the need to customize it to serve functions more personal to your own goals.
And, speaking of Dreamhost, Kevin, can you email me that info I had asked about re: hosting/domain names? Thanks a lot!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:15:59 +0000

Or groups, like The Rack’s group from the screenshot.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:14:47 +0000

If you’re a business, recording artist, etc. you can make a page that Facebook users can become fans of. You can customize it with photos and videos, etc.

The other route to market via Facebook is to create apps. Because everyone has ninety billion of them.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:39:49 +0000

What I don’t grasp is HOW people are using Facebook to market…is there some blogging or messaging functionality I’ve missed?

(Cause if there IS, I will use it post haste to pimp my own shit.)

That’s what’s always bothered me most about Facebook–I do not know what to do with it, other than play games and post dippy little jokes on people’s “walls.” Say what you will about MySpace, but the bulletin and blogging functions at least enable you to create some kind of content there with which to promote.

By: Garry

Garry — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:14:57 +0000

I could not agree more. This social phenomenon can be a real hindrance when talking to clients who think they can get a reachable professional online presence with just a facebook page.

“My kids are always on facebook. Why don’t I just have a page there?”

Useful as part of a larger online presence, but it should never take the place of a well planned websites.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:53:24 +0000

Plus, I think Bully is too young to have his own Facebook page.

By: Bully

Bully — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:31:56 +0000

There’s a lot of times I follow links to see promo pieces—the Tucci Sgt Rock art was the most recent—and wind up at Facebook, which I’m not a member of and have no intention of being (I don’t have the time to keep up with that community). So then I can’t see the promo pieces.

Facebook and the like should be additional, not primary (or only) publicity machines.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:22:03 +0000

Absolutely, Dave. I think if you’re serious about maintaining a Web presence, it would be silly to not be available at as many relevant social media outlets as you’re capable of keeping up with.