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Two things that go together just like peanut butter and jelly are music and social networking. Social media is a big part of building your fan base, getting others to listen to your music and connecting music lovers with yourself, your band and your music. Additionally, engagement on social media is something every musician should be thinking about and using…consistently. After all, it is one of the most important facets of getting your name out there, whether you are selling music, playing live, or both. It not only helps to develop your fan base, but it keeps your followers in the loop on your new music, where you are playing, and connects you to other musicians in your area and elsewhere. And, one more thing that is invaluable…it lets your followers know your true personality out from behind the microphone or your instrument so they feel like they are a part of your world. So, what can you do to make sure you get noticed online? Here’s some tips:

DECIDE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE:

Are you able to take the time that it requires to consistently engage on multiple social media channels? A winning social strategy calls for consistency as much as it does quality content. So if you’re not sure that you can dedicate the time and focus needed to grow your social audience, then maybe you need to enlist some help.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Many feel that the most important social media platforms to identify with are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…and we agree. However, you should also be wherever you can upload your music to as well: Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud and TikTok- to name a few.

• Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform. That’s why you need to be on Facebook. Your Facebook page is the equivalent of what a band had on Myspace back in 2005-2006­ with one added bonus; over 2 billion daily active users…potential followers. So, regularly update your Facebook page.

• Instagram has the most engaged following, and the high rate of hashtags makes findings by its users easier than most other social platforms. Instagram growth is not easy, but since you are a musician, you probably have exciting, fun photos that you can post, and that’s half the battle. It’s also a good platform for musicians that play live because it’s really easy to snap a photo as your gig goes on. This puts you in a great spot to grow your page organically (spending no money). Share often!

• TikTok matters because it’s a HUGE platform for videos, and if you are active and and sharing your music, others will interact with you. People are very open minded and opinionated on TikTok. This can be a good thing. You’ll get to see different perspectives on lots of subjects…including music!

YOU TUBE IS ALSO THE MOST SEARCHED SOCIAL PLATFORM FOR MUSIC!

• DIY Musician says, ”YouTube: the new radio, the new MTV, the new record store, the new music magazine, the new everything.” Traditionally. YouTube was for video sharing and not really a social network. It has however played a huge role in many musical careers. In the days of social media comes “YouTube Musicians” and their music is shared everywhere on social media! Also, Google owns YouTube. Use this platform, and get rewarded on Google Search. Your website will show higher in search results. You do have a website, right?

• Having a website is an integral part of being found online and works together with your social media presence. You can never say everything there is to say about you and what you have to offer in a Facebook post. But, you can refer people to your website. Having a website also makes you credible, and if your website is banging…you’re cool too!

SHARE GREAT, INTERESTING, FUN CONTENT

Share content that interests you, but also that you feel will interest others. Keep it fresh (it doesn’t always have to be about you specifically). And, make sure that videos and photos you share are of optimal size (all social platforms require different sizes for photo sharing), of good quality- and that means the sound too! Don’t repeat yourself too much either, or you will lose followers. Be funny, engaging, and get people talking with you about current events or pop culture, but try to be neutral on those subject matters.

One of the biggest benefits about social media is that it gives you access real people. When you engage with and respond to your fans and followers they become your mouthpiece! It’s like that old TV commercial….she’ll tell two friends, and he’ll tell two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on.

Just be authentic and you’ll be fine : ) And, if you need help in creating your own website or your band website and building a following on social media, give us a call. S2R Studios has affordable packages that will make your life easier, and your online following grow. Visit us at www.s2rstudios.com.

Social media scams are on the rise. The goal is to hijack your page and steal personal information using deceptive messages and links. One such prevalent scam targets Facebook page owners with fake notifications about their page being disabled.

This alarming new message has been going around Facebook threatening to disable pages if they don’t give personal information to “verify” their account. The message tells users they posted content on their page that misleads users and that their accounts will be disabled if they don’t confirm their account details, including personal information.

They’ll tell you to click on a link, and then ask you to enter personal information to verify that you are really the “actual Facebook user”. You click and then they have your data including your personal info and even your payment method. They will even lock you out of your own account!

You should always be leery of messages from unknown users, especially if they say they are from “Facebook User.”

If you get this suspicious social media message, email or even text claiming to be from Facebook, don’t click any links or attachments. Contact Facebook or check your Facebook settings so see if it really came from Facebook.

The scam starts with an unsolicited inbox message on Facebook claiming to be from “Facebook User” or a similar name. The message states that your Facebook page has been disabled due to various violations. It also may claim you have been warned about these violations in the past, and that immediate action is required to avoid permanent deletion of your page. You will be provided a “Confirm or Verify Account” or an “Appeal Disabling” link to supposedly verify your account in a short deadline. This link will send you to a phishing website impersonating the Facebook login page. If you submit your Facebook credentials here, you have just inadvertently provided these scammers complete access to your Facebook account.

This scam is specifically designed to instill fear and urgency in page owners about losing their invested time and efforts in building their page. The intrigue of a quick solution to recover the disabled page leads victims to act hastily without verifying the message authenticity.

How the Scam Works

Here is a step-by-step explanation of how the “Your Page Has Been Disabled” phishing scam operates on Facebook:

Receiving the Scam Message

You get a message in your Facebook inbox or messages folder from a sender impersonating “Meta Business Support”, “Facebook User”, “Facebook Community Operations” or a similar misleading name.

The message claims that your Facebook page has been disabled as per reports of violations received from one or more people or organizations. The third-party complaint adds perceived legitimacy.

Violations mentioned includes:

-Using someone else’s personal images or content without permission

-Posting misleading, inaccurate, or dangerous information

-Impersonating or misrepresenting a brand’s identity

-Violating Facebook’s community standards

The message may mention that you have already received multiple warnings about these violations and no action has been taken. It states immediate verification is required to avoid permanent deletion of Facebook page.

A sample scam message looks like:

Sender: Facebook User

Your Facebook page [Page Name] has been disabled for multiple violations of Facebook Policies and Intellectual Property Infringement Claims.

As per our records, you have already received multiple warnings about such unauthorized and misleading content on your page. Since no corrective action was taken, your page has now been disabled to stop further violation.

To appeal this disabling and recover your page, you are required to immediately verify your account ownership by clicking on the link below and completing the verification process within the next 24 hours.

Confirm Account Ownership:
https://account-appeals.facebook.com.verify.info/appealpage?ID=029834XX

Failure to verify within this timeframe will result in your page being permanently deleted from Facebook. This action cannot be reversed.

Notice, the message uses an authoritative tone alongside legal and technical jargon to seem legit. The 24-hour deadline pressures you into acting quickly, often without contemplating the validity of the message.

Visiting the Phishing Link

When you click on the “Confirm Account Ownership” or similarly titled link provided, it takes you to a fake Facebook login page, not the real platform. This phishing page looks like the actual Facebook site, including using the same blue color scheme, fonts and the Facebook logo. You’re then asked to enter your Facebook login email and password to begin the account verification process. If you submit this, the scammers capture your login credentials in real-time. In some cases, you may be redirected through multiple websites before landing on the phishing page. This is intended to hide the fake domain name displayed in the address bar.

Submitting Login Details

While on the phishing page, you’ll be asked to enter your Facebook email and password to verify account ownership.

As the site looks like a real Facebook login, most users end up submitting their details without realizing it’s a scam. After capturing your login credentials, you may see “Verification Successful” or “Your Page Will Be Restored” type of message. This is just to provide false assurance, so you do not suspect a scam. Unfortunately, behind the scenes, your credentials have already been stolen by scammers to gain access to your Facebook account along with all your information including your payment method.

Account Takeover

With your username and password, the scammers can now directly log into your Facebook account and page. This gives them full control as if they are you. They can post content, message your connections, see your personal information and more.

Here are some ways your compromised account can be misused:

-Posting clickbait, false news, or malicious links to your page to generate traffic, install malware etc.

-Spamming your friends and contacts with more phishing links or scam messages

-Accessing your profile info and sharing it on the dark web or using it to create fake accounts

-Taking over or deleting your Facebook page

-Removing you and others from having access to page

-Demanding you pay a ransom to regain access to your page

-Commandeering your account’s advertising tools for their own needs including your credit card

-Hijacking your linked apps like Instagram or Messenger

Within days, you may find unauthorized content being shared from your account. At this point, Facebook may also disable your account due to suspicious activity if reported by others.

You have now effectively lost control of your account, your page and your personal information because you accidentally gave away your login details.

What to Do if You Get This Message:

If you receive any unsolicited message about your Facebook page being disabled, here are some tips to protect yourself:

Remain calm – Scammers want you to panic and act without thinking. Carefully analyze the message before proceeding.

Look for typos/errors – Legitimate Facebook messages have no grammar or spelling mistakes generally.

Go to your account directly – Login and check for any page disabling notification from Facebook itself.

Don’t click links – Links lead to scammers being able to steal your info.

Ask for proof – Reply to the message requesting evidence of the disabling reason, warnings sent etc.

Report message – Use Facebook’s “Find Support” option to report the phishing content.

Turn on two-factor authentication as an added security layer protecting your account.

Change passwords – Periodically update your Facebook, email, and other passwords.

What to Do if You Shared Your Login Details

If you already entered your Facebook login email and password on the phishing site before realizing it’s a scam, and you are still able to access your Facebook account, take these steps immediately to secure your account.

Change your Facebook password – Do this via Facebook’s security settings. Choose a strong, unique password.

Enable two-factor authentication –through Facebook’s login approvals settings. This adds a second layer of verification.

Remove devices – Delete any saved browsers or devices through the security settings.

Check login activity – Facebook shows recent logins and locations. Look for any unknown sessions.

Revoke account access – Remove any granted access to third-party apps or sites through Facebook.

Look for unauthorized changes- on your account.

Review page content – Check all posts and info for any signs of unauthorized access.

Look at messages – Open your inbox and messages to see any phishing content sent via your account.

Assess privacy settings – Verify that your profile and privacy settings have not been tampered with.

Change app passwords – Update passwords for Instagram, Messenger, or other connected apps.

Use the Facebook hacked account form – Submit details to get help securing your compromised account.

Report phishing – Flag any scam posts or messages visible to others on Facebook.

Inform contacts – Let your friends list and page followers know about the hacking if needed.

Recovery Process for Disabled Accounts

If your account does get disabled by Facebook due to suspicious behavior resulting from the hacking, here is how to recover it:

Submit ID – Upload a photo ID using the Facebook disabled account form to establish your identity.

Dispute violations – List violations cited in the disabling message and explain how your account was hacked.

Request review – Ask Facebook moderators to review the disabling decision.

Be patient – The review process can take 1-2 weeks in most cases. Check your registered email for updates.

Enhance security – Strengthen account security during the waiting period. Update information and enable two-factor authentication.

Regaining access to a disabled Facebook account requires patience and cooperation with Facebook’s processes. With the right approach, most legitimate accounts can be restored over time.

Facebook Scam Prevention Tips

Here are some general tips to enhance your security and prevent getting scammed on Facebook:

Use strong passwords – Don’t repeat or reuse passwords. Use random strings of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Be wary of unsolicited messages – Don’t open messages from unknown contacts discussing account issues.

Check sender’s details – Verify the email address, profile photo, URL links etc. before responding.

Limit info sharing – Be selective about posting personal data publicly on your profile or page.

Secure connected apps – Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication for associated apps like Instagram too.

Beware of ads/offers – Don’t enter info or download files from ads making unbelievable claims.

Keep software updated – Use the latest OS and browser versions. Install anti-virus programs.

Report fakes – Use Facebook’s reporting tools if you encounter scam profiles or content.

Turn on login alerts – Enable email or SMS notifications for when your account is accessed from new locations or devices.

Stay cautious and attentive- it can help avoid you losing your account to scammers.

FAQ

Is this really from Facebook or is it a scam?

Messages about your page being disabled due to policy violations are almost always a scam tactic. Facebook will directly contact users prior to taking any disabling action.

How did the scammers know my page name?

Scammers target public page owners randomly. They can easily view page names, send messages, and post content.

What should I do if I entered my Facebook password on the phishing site?

Immediately change your Facebook password and turn on login approvals for added security. Also review recent account activity closely for unauthorized changes.

Why is Facebook asking for my password? Should I give it?

Facebook will never ask for your password directly via an inbox message. Any such request is a scam. Never reveal passwords or one-time passwords.

Can my account get hacked just by clicking the link?

Simply clicking won’t compromise your account immediately. But entering login details on the phishing site leads to will get it hacked.

What happens if my account gets permanently disabled?

You can recover a disabled account in most cases by submitting ID proof and disputing the violations cited. This process may take 1-2 weeks.

How long does Facebook take to reactivate a hacked account?

If you report a compromised account with details, Facebook will lock it pending identity verification. After submitting valid ID proof, account access is restored within a day or two.

How can I regain access to my page after getting hacked?

If you act quickly, changing passwords and securing your account should stop the hacking and regain page access. In the worst case, the recovery process may take 1-2 weeks.

LAST THOUGHTS:

The “Your Page Has Been Disabled” Facebook scam can seem quite convincing, but being aware of its red flags can help avoid you becoming a victim. If you do click on a scammers link, take immediate steps to lock down and restore your account. Being cautious and using Facebook’s reporting tools is key to keeping your account and data safe from phishing.

When setting up your Facebook business page, you might notice the URL (your username) that is assigned to you is long and doesn’t at all speak to your actual business name. What does this mean to you as a business owner?  It means it’s going to be difficult for people to remember it (you). The initial URL that Facebook assigns a business page includes a variety of numbers after the url (like this) https://www.facebook.com/112266777. You can see that the originally assigned URL has nothing to do with your business. This makes it very difficult for people to find your Facebook page or to be able to tag you in posts. And, if you don’t have a website (which is a whole other blog) and want to give your Facebook info to someone, it will be very hard for you and them to remember. AND… don’t even try and put it on printed materials! It won’t look good at all!

The Good News:

Facebook has an option for creating a shorter, cleaner version of your URL; a custom Facebook business page URL (or, as Facebook calls it, a username). And, while Facebook does have some guidelines for your username, it’s an easy process to obtain a username of our choice OR change your existing username to something memorable. It should definitely be something that reflects the name of your business.

Having a custom Facebook business page URL (username) is an important step in getting you closer to using your social media to the fullest. Choose a username that is as close to your business name as possible so people will remember it easily and will also be able to find you when they search for you or want to tag you. Having an easy, memorable username makes it easier for people to like, follow, share and even possibly become a new customer!  With billions of Facebook users, names get taken quickly, especially if it’s common. If you currently have a Facebook username that is all numbers, or is not remotely close to your business name you can (and should) request a change. Here’s how you do it:

From there, you can EDIT your username. If it is available you can save it and you are good to go. If it’s not available, you will have to pick another.

To SET UP your custom Facebook custom URL for the first time, follow these guidelines:

• Go to your business pages Professional Dashboard on the left.
• Then click on Overview.
• Click on the right; Your Pages Identity
• Then click on Create a Page Name
• Enter your desired custom username
  If the username is available click Create Username. If it is taken, pick another name.

It takes only a few moments to change the trajectory of your Facebook engagement! If you need help, give us a call!

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, social platforms have become a cornerstone of modern communication, connecting people from all over. However, despite the apparent similarities, each social platform has a distinct community with unique preferences, behaviors, and interests. Successful marketers understand that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to online platforms. Let’s delve into the importance of tailoring your online marketing strategies to fit the diverse audiences of various social platforms.

Recognize Platform-Specific Demographics:

The first step in effective social media marketing is understanding the demographics of each platform’s users. For instance, Facebook typically attracts an older audience, while platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are popular among younger generations. LinkedIn, on the other hand, caters to professionals and businesses. By recognizing these differences, you can customize your content to resonate with the preferences and expectations of each platform’s users.

Craft Relevant Content:

Different social platforms prioritize different types of content. Instagram revolves around visual storytelling, Twitter favors industry authorities and timely updates, and YouTube on video content. To maximize engagement and reach, tailor your content to match the format that best suits the platform you’re using. This ensures that the message remains consistent while you cater to the unique preferences of each audience.

Embrace Communication Styles:

Social platforms have varying communication styles too. LinkedIn encourages professional networking and business-oriented conversations, while Instagram thrives on visually appealing, casual interactions. Tailoring the tone and language of marketing messages to match these nuances is essential to build genuine connections with users.

Timing is Everything:

The timing of posts can significantly impact engagement rates on social media. The ideal posting schedule varies from one platform to another due to differences in user activity. By analyzing platform-specific data and insights, you can optimize your content release times to reach the largest portion of your target audience.

Utilize Platform Features:

Each social platform provides unique features and tools that can further your marketing efforts. For example, Instagram offers Stories and Reels, while Twitter has polls and trending hashtags. Understanding and leveraging these features will allow you to creatively engage with audiences and stand out in a sea of content.

Build Authentic Relationships:

Authenticity is the cornerstone of successful social media marketing. Different platforms foster distinct levels of authenticity, with some encouraging highly curated content and others embracing a more raw and unfiltered approach. Adapt your strategies to align with the authenticity expectations of each platform’s users.

Summary:

In the realm of social media marketing, acknowledging the diversity of audiences across various platforms is your key to online success. A one-size-fits-all approach will fail to resonate with users and may even alienate potential followers or customers. Recognize unique demographics, communication style, and content preferences of each social platform. Tailor your messages and strategies accordingly and build more meaningful connections with your target audiences. Embrace diversity in social media for an opportunity to tap into the vast potential each platform has to offer.

You publish a post to your blog or website. Then you copy and paste that link to the post across Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. With a few clicks, you put your new content in front of a large, diverse audience. Great strategy right? Not exactly.

Each social media channel has users that exhibit vastly different behavior and preferences for content. As such, you should optimize each social media posting according to the channel you’re posting in. It takes a bit more time, but it’s worth it. But how do you know how to promote for different channels?

Know your social media channels: Follow these guidelines for each social media channel:

Twitter: Short, snappy excerpts of interesting articles, or eye-catching images. Perfect for news and trending topics. Twitter is for the authority on specific subjects.

Facebook: Think social sharing. What will people want to share with their friends? Evoke emotions with clever headlines and short descriptions. Make people want to share what you have to say. And, share among each other.

LinkedIn: Caters to a professional audience. Shine the spotlight on your content to demonstrate usefulness to like-minded individuals and businesses.

Instagram: All about the visual. Your content should have a strong visual component to match your content. If your content does not necessarily have a visual component, create one.

Pinterest: Like a blend of Instagram and LinkedIn. It’s about the visuals, but also focuses on how-to, DIY, and practical advice so people will want to pin your post, which in essence is sharing it.

Post on Your Google Listing: Do you know that you can post on your Google listing? Posting regularly on your Google listing will increase your search results over Google platforms. Google loves when you use their products, and they will reward you for it. Like with all other social media platforms be consistent.

Create a Posting Schedule: Just as it’s tempting to blast your social media channels with the same exact post, you may be tempted to share your post to every channel at once. Instead, consider staggering your content sharing on each social media channel by a couple of days or so to maximize effect. Or, better yet, spend the time to create pertinent posts for each social platform.

Experiment and Optimize Posting: As with any marketing effort, you should be experimenting and optimizing with the frequency and timing of your content sharing. As you build a following, finding the right time to post on social media can make huge differences in the amount of traffic your content gets. There are analytics especially on Facebook that tell you when your fans are online. These are the times to get the most people to engage with your posts.

Track Engagement of Posts: It’s important to look at each post as it’s running, and when it is completed to see if it’s working. Is it getting shared? It is getting engagement? And, if you spend money on ads across social media platforms, make sure you check out the analytics for each ad to see if what you’re spending justifies the money spent. If not, change it up. Concentrate on being interesting, informative, and not too long winded. A good graphic, an interesting video, and a short, clever post will get the attention of those that are just scrolling through.