Visa Small Business Network on Facebook (and offer $100 ad credit)
As both the AP and Mashable have already reported, Visa has struck a deal with Facebook to create the Visa Small Business Network within Facebook.
Well actually, Visa has created an application with some really solid sounding small business functionality (in conjunction with Google tools) that aims to be a support the needs of small businesses:
Visa’s service is designed to provide small-business owners with tools and tips on attracting new customers, trimming costs and other ways to make more money. Businesses that belong to the Visa network on Facebook also will be able to communicate with each other to share ideas or even negotiate deals.
As of yet, the application seems to be an empty screen. Odd way to launch a Facebook app ; )
But perhaps more significantly, Visa is offering a $100 ad credit for use with Facebook’s ad system to the first 20,000 small business owners that sign up for the application.
I just signed up myself, and it looks like they’re still giving out credits:
Dear Jason:
Thank you for joining the Visa Business Network! To help you grow your business,
we’re giving you a $100 coupon good towards Facebook advertising credit. Your
coupon must be redeemed and used by 9/22/2008.
I’m not the first to say it, but if Visa gets 20,000 new advertisers to dip their toes into the Facebook ad system and they like it, this could be a big jump for Facebook’s potential revenue.
On the other hand, getting a large number of people to try a low-yield ad system is not the same as improving the ad system for a smaller number of people. I think the latter is probably a more effective strategy.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Let’s be realistic, this is a social networking site for”big people”. This story is like many I’ve heard. While all of these contacts are nice they don’t mean anything to your bottom line. Why would you pay to be able to directly contact someone who you don’t really know? Services such as http://www.referralkey.com/ require that you invite real-world associates to your network however the result is a thriving network with qualified business leads being exchanged daily.
I’m a small business professional and I don’t need to pay to message 500 strangers. I need qualified and timely referrals.
I registered for this app last month to take advantage of the $100 ad credit and with the hopes of expanding my network for my printing business. Unfortunately, the $100 in ad placements didn’t yield anything beneficial for me. I anticipate as this network grows I will be able to professionally network more effecively. Overall, I like the functionality and template for this … it just needs time to grow. I am also a member of a small business organization called America’s Best Companies that has really helped boost my online exposure and get access to some great discounts I haven’t seen available through my local association. I could see this organization really taking off in the next couple of years.
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