…quite possibly ever. And then I realized, wait a minute… this is a new premium Facebook ad! Pretty darn impressive.

So let’s break it down. In about three seconds, I understand that my friend Lindsay likes Gap. What a great endorsement, I think, because Lindsay always looks cute! And then I see 30% off… not shabby. THEN if I like the page, I get an additional 10%? Click!

So, in other words, the question is not if you’ll use Facebook premium ads, but how you’ll use them.

Here are a few quick tips on ad copy for your PPC campaigns. Remember, you don’t always need to create something crazy. Just add variations for testing so that you can see which ads get the best click through rates (CTR)!

1. Switch up your call to actions: Call now, Buy now, Click now, etc.

2. Switch up your cases: Try Capitalizing All Words or Try capitalizing normally.

3. Try different variations of your destination URL: www.yourURL.com, yourURL.com/product, yourURL.com. Remember, the more relevant the page, the higher your conversion rate will be!

4. Add prices & shipping rates when they’re competitive: $14.99 plus FREE shipping, Free shipping on orders over $15.

Carly and I should probably just create a category on this blog called “Social Media Pet Peeves.” This post would definitely be filed under that.

If you look up “uncool” in the dictionary, the definition would say: Automated direct messages thanking new followers. Because it’s seriously that uncool. I’ve seen this tip on many blogs: send your new followers an automated direct message that will thank them and tell them you are looking forward to connecting with them. Whoever told you to do this should be publicly mocked (hence this blog post). Because do I think you took the time to write me a personalized message offering me free eBooks? No. Do I want these fake messages filling up my inbox? Even more no. If you’re not going to make an effort to write back to each new follower (which is totally understandable, especially if you have more than 14 followers), then don’t bother. Let’s connect later on a real topic, a real interest, and have a real conversation.

All 44 are automated crap.

Besides, why are you even thanking me? I haven’t done anything for you yet. You’re thanking me for a follow that might be pure, unadulterated spam. I might be of absolutely no worth–numbers alone are no way to create a Twitter presence, after all. Let’s save the “thanks” for later when it’s not obligatory. If you follow back, I might introduce you to an awesome new social media tool or offer you a quick PPC Tip. Then you can thank me via DM or @ or # all you wish; in fact, the more the merrier.

Bing is testing their new local results that remind us and everyone else of Google.

Read up on Google’s new privacy policy, which goes live today! They’re not changing controls, only some contract jargon.

As we covered earlier in the week, Facebook launched its premium ads & new insights!

Here are some tips for using Instagram as your brand. We’re not planning on making Visiture its own account, but encourage employees to share on Twitter with @Visiture tagged when appropriate. We like the tips and say they should definitely apply to Pinterest as well.

Speaking of Pinterest, did you see our SEO Manager Carly’s rant about affiliate links and Pinterest etiquette? If not, check it out!

Even though we find #5 completely untrue, we like this article entitled “Why Small Businesses Distrust SEO,” at least fundamentally. This perspective can really help SEOs better their offerings/reporting.

By now you’ve probably been bombarded with enough Pinterest How-Tos and Guides. Suddenly the marketing world has realized that Pinterest is a viable tool for referring traffic and brand management. Way to catch up guys.

I’m not going to write a basic ‘How to Pin’ guide, instead I’m going to vent a little.

Pinterest isn’t hard. Spend an hour on the site and you should have it down. There are a few more technical aspects to it (add a Pin It button to your site, searching for Pins from your own URL, etc.), but for the most part, it is a very intuitive user interface. Of course, there are improvements to be had, but right now – it’s evolving in a healthy, adaptive way.

However, in the recent weeks I’ve seen two different types of self-serving spam attacks on my Pinterest feed that makes my skin crawl.

1) Linking to the Original Source

Unless you created that recipe, styled that outfit, or DIY that home improvement project – do not link to your own website or blog. This goes back to the basics of image sourcing. You do not own that image, quit trying to profit (through traffic or ad sales) from something that isn’t your own.

2) Affiliate Links

Really? People are really adding their own personal affiliate links to clothing and products? Pinterest had enough backlash related to affiliate links when they went down this road. Do you really expect this to work? According to Forbes, it’s still possible for users to add their own personal affiliate URL, but don’t expect it to last long. Go ahead and make your extra change now, then when Pinterest changes it’s policy, you can just feel silly about trying manipulating the system.  The most egregious examples of affiliate links I’ve seen have been through Pinners using their personal Net-A-Porter and ShopStyle referral URLs.

If you need a refresh of what appropriate Pinning, please reference the Pinterest Copyright Policy.