Kidnappers BUSTED using Facebook!

I was still relatively new to Facebook when my youngest daughter's beloved cat - PURRFECT - was kidnapped!  As a result of my daughter demanding I find her cat (she was convinced that I could do anything) the only thing I could think of doing after my repeated calls to the RCMP, Animal Protection and the Humane Society failed - was turn to Facebook.  Facebook seemed to be my only hope.

What happened was - We just moved back to Winnipeg from Lac du Bonnet on February 1, 2009. Our cat PURRFECT was still nursing her 2 kittens. We were not able to bring her PLUS both kittens to our new home in the city, so we found her and the kittens a babysitter. We are animal lovers. Some may consider us kind of weird, our animals are part of our core family. We found homes for the 2 kittens (their new owners would come to the house & spend time with their new kittens, anxiously awaiting their move into their new homes). My oldest daughter's best friend was to babysit Mother & 2 babies for 3 weeks until they were ready to be separated. 

When the babysitter was not home, her former foster mother went into her home and STOLE the mother cat & 2 kittens. When I called her to ask her where Purrfect was, she told me she gave them to a friend who had just moved back to the area from The States and was not allowed to bring her pets over the border.  She flatly refused to return my daughter's cat.  (Evil woman - but we won't get into that).

So -I started a Facebook Group for the purpose of finding Purrfect - the kidnapped cat.  I joined every group I could find around the Lac du Bonnet area and began sending messages & posting pics - relentlessly!   It took me around 3 weeks - but - as a result - I found Purrfect & her unsuspecting new owner gladly returned her safe & sound!  

The group I started on Facebook is called Support The Rights of Domestic Pets & Their Owners.  In addition to trying to find Purrfect - it also goes into detail about how the theft of Domestic Pets is not considered a crime.  (Which in my opinion is RIDICULOUS)!  I was able to collect over 400 members in a matter of weeks!  If you're interested in taking a look, here's the link:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52881502191

My point here is that FACEBOOK helped BUST the kidnapper & return my daughter's beloved cat Purrfect!  That's just another example of the POWER of Social Media!  If you want to reach a maximum amount of people in a minimum amount of time - Social Media is the answer!

(I also made a really good friend in the UK & if you peruse the site - you'll see her posts there).

The picture posted here is my youngest daughter's (Seka) reunion with Purrfect.  (She was at school when we brought Purrfect home & had no idea that we had found her)!  
A picture truly does say a thousand words!


The incentive for me writing this post is because I just put Purrfect on an airplane to Toronto - with Seka after the two of them have been living apart for 8 months while Seka was living in the dorms at her University.  The famous kidnapped cat is now living in Toronto with her owner - Seka - who loves her so much!  


I love happy endings!  

The bands - the bands - the bands (Yikes)!

So I figured my first blog post would be about the challenges I'm facing with the Bands that we book at The Palomino Club.  When I first started I did a study on the bands that we regularly book to see how they're promoting themselves online.  Some had Facebook Groups, some just had individual identities and NONE had PAGES.  I also saw that some of the bands were listing their upcoming gigs in the info section of their identities or Groups rather than creating events.  (NO!  Don't do that)!

My opinion is that bands who want to promote themselves should have a Facebook PAGE!  Why a Page?  Well there are many reasons....   Here's Facebook's info:http://www.facebook.com/FacebookPages

#1 You can study your Facebook insights.
This gives you a full report of how may likes, post views, active users and feedbacks you have on your Page. For example;  when you post pics & fans 'Lke' or 'comment on them - this shows on their Facebook walls & to all their friends.  You can see the stats rise the day after you post pics - Guaranteed!

Having the ability to view your insights gives you valuable clues as to how you can improve activity on your Page.

PLUS!  Are you releasing a CD?
Well, then you should be purchasing a Facebook Ad!  They're really affordable & a great way to target users  (by location / age / etc...) to "Like" your Page.  You're probably having a CD Release Party so you want to get as many fans 'Liking' your Page as possible so you can turn them into ticket sales for your CD Release Party - and better yet - CD sales & obviously - the more CD's you're selling ........!

You can create & share 'Events' on your Facebook Page
For every 'gig' you have coming up - create an 'Event' on Facebook!  All your band members and friends can 'click' Attending then invite all their friends who are on their Facebook!  This is super powerful!  Between four band members you can easily send out 5,000 invitations or more!  So why are bands posting their upcoming 'gigs' in the 'Info' section on their Facebook groups or identities?  It's USELESS!

Post your pics on your Page!
Take pictures!  Post them on your Page!  As I said above, it will increase your profile on Facebook.

Promote your Page!
Every single time you're on stage - tell your audience that you have a Page on Facebook!  Ask them to take out their smart phones - search for you - and LIKE your Page!  Now you can connect with your live fans on Facebook & you have a better chance of them following you in REAL life for your next performance!  This makes you more attractive to booking venues!

Incorporate YouTube!
Yes you can have your YouTube Channel right on your Facebook Page!  (This only works on Pages).  Do you have a YouTube Channel?  Facebook is obviously an excellent place to promote your YouTube Channel.  (With over 6 million users I'd say so)!

Incorporate your TWITTER!
Are you on Twitter yet?  What?  No?  YOU SHOULD BE!!!  (That's another Blog post - stay tuned).
If you are on Twitter - you can add a Twitter Feed to your Facebook Page!  All the members in your band should be on Twitter & can be tweeting in real time at your performances - or better yet - about your accomplishments!  (Tweet - Just signed the record deal or just booked a gig at the #1 nite spot in Canada - The World Famous Palomino Club)!   GET IT?

Are you convinced yet that Facebook Pages are a MUST for bands?