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Seems just when you have Facebook figured out so you can use a page to promote your business or products, the higher ups change everything. First the ability for fans to suggest a page they didn't admin was stripped, then page owners were informed that FBML markup would soon be rendered invalid. Now Facebook has put restrictions on how people can conduct contests and giveaways via the social network. If you have enticed entrants in the past to like your page in exchange for a chance to win a prize or free service, you may be in violation of Facebook's TOS. In a nutshell, here are the restrictions to holding a giveaway: 1) All promotions must be facilitated through the Apps function on the Facebook page. 2) Page owners must note on giveaway information that their contest is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook, and that Facebook is not responsible for information imparted to the contest facilitators. 3) Page owners cannot have entrants like a Facebook as a requirement for contest entry. 4) Page owners cannot require entrants to check in with Facebook Places, connecting to an App, or using any other functionality on the site as a requirement for the contest. 5) Winners of contests cannot be notified through Facebook (chat, messages or posts). 6) Businesses cannot use Facebook's name or trademark in conjunction with promoting their contests. There are more detailed instructions around the Internet, but the bottom line is that you have to be careful if you want to promote a contest through this social network. If you are worried about ticking off any powers that be, you may want to consider some of these options: 1) Find a Facebook-approved application. If you have the opportunity to promote to thousands of fans, you can't help but find a way to use this social profile to your advantage. There are companyapproved applications that can help you play by the rules while you collect the data you need for your giveaway. Do a search to find the right app that works for you. 2) Concentrate on other social networks. As of this writing, there are no such restrictions with Twitter or your blog, so you could concentrate on the bulk of your promotion here.
3) Rather than hold a contest, create an incentive available to all. On a canvas page or tab, offer new visitors to your page a code for a free small-value object, or link to a free white paper relevant to your services. Showing visitors the value of your company may offer incentive for them to like your page and see what else you have to say. Until the rules are changed again, one can successfully promote via Facebook without violating terms of service. Know what you can and cannot do, and take advantage of the resource.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia web design and Facebook marketing services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Lively
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