Facebook strives to improve user experience with simpler settings.

In an effort to make its privacy settings more user-friendly, Facebook announced earlier today that it is ready to roll out some very important changes this Thursday. As a result, users will be able to share exactly what they want with the friends and connections of their choice.

The following is a guest post by Mike Barbre. You will find his bio at the end of the article.

According to a recent study, the majority of Facebook applications are created purely for amusement. In other words, they are pointless. Is finding out that your friend has fed his pigs in Farmville going to make or break your day? Probably not. But there are some apps that can boost your productivity and enhance your Facebook page.

#1: Wildfire

The Wildfire app helps you advertise with campaigns that are visible to everyone who interacts with them. The user-friendly software helps you develop a promotional campaign such as a contest or giveaway and post it on various social networks as well as on your website. Every time a user interacts with your campaign, it will appear on his or her news feed. His or her friends will want to check it out, and hopefully, your campaign, your brand, and your sales will spread like wildfire.

The other day, I wrote an article about a new social media platform called Jaspud.com. After I was done publishing it on Digital Journal, I asked myself the following question: Do we really need another network to connect with people?

I have grown tired of Facebook. While I love the fact that the platform allows me to showcase what I do through my Fan Page, I honestly find that the social network has become unreliable. Too many changes occur too often. You never know what will happen next, and for someone like me, who does everything on their own, it is annoying to have to spend hours figuring out any new change.

A business can only thrive if its leader(s) and employees are committed and dedicated to making it work. Getting traffic is important. However, what is even more important is to understand that credibility is only awarded to the individuals who are genuinely interested in and interesting to others.

• Interaction is key

Twitter is a fantastic promotional tool. Unfortunately, a lot of users do not know how to use it properly. And at least 20 percent of accounts are completely idle.

“When you like a Fan Page from your Fan Page, it does not increase the Like count on that Page.” I have read and heard this statement hundreds of times, and to be honest, I cannot get used to it. Why do people not understand that the numbers game will never work, unless you have a solid presence to back it up?

Who would not love to have millions of fans, Twitter followers, Google+ friends and LinkedIn connections? I would be a liar if I said otherwise. However, likes and follows do not equate successful connections. You have to work hard to gain the trust of each of your fans and online friends.

The following is a guest post by Joseph Baker. His bio is at the end of the article.

Like millions of other people, I have a Facebook page.  I fought against the trend for years before I finally accepted an invitation to join, and we have been inseparable since.  I recently bought my first smart phone, and the Facebook app was one of the first things I installed.  This site offers me the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and learn more about new ones, and has added a source of entertainment to my dull life.

“The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” – Socrates

“Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.” – Walt Disney

Whether you want it or not, it is always about customer service. It does not matter if you are a big company, a solopreneur or an employee. You owe your clients (meaning those who pay you in exchange for your services or products) the right to expect the best and most professional attitude from you at all times.

Spam happens when a person sends unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately. It is the case with e-mails. However, spam also affects social networking sites. When Myspace became a vast spamming pool for artists, people started to join Facebook en masse.

Well, guess what? Spam is back with a vengeance! And this time, it is taking over Facebook. So what can be done to avoid being spammed or at least minimize it?

The other day, I was approached by an online contact who wanted to know the benefits of blogging. “I am on Facebook and Twitter and update my profiles almost every day. Why should I have a blog?”

If you want to build a successful brand online, you must blog. Why? Read below…

Why do many entrepreneurs fail on Facebook? Usually because they use their personal profiles to mix pleasure with business and promote their products and services to the wrong crowd. And when they have Fan Pages, they focus on numbers rather than on branding and interacting with fans.