In my continuing quest to work on spreading my influence, I figured I may as well add another thing to help figure out just what kind of influence I have, at least through this blog.
Back in June, before really thinking much about this project, I added Topsy, which allows people to retweet my blog posts if they like them without having to sign up for a service like TweetMeMe. This time I’ve installed the plugin called fbLikeButton. You have to put it in just like that, because there are a lot of plugins for the like button for Facebook. However, this one was the highest rated by people who have tried others, and I know why. It was the only one that didn’t require me to go to Facebook and set up a script to use it.
You’ll notice at the end of the post that the “like” button shows up just under my copyright notice. You have the choice of having it at the top or bottom or in both places, but I chose the bottom because it interfered with my “listen” button, and I figured having it at the end of the post make it easier for anyone who liked it and didn’t want to go back to the top. Of course, it would be nice if my Topsy allowed me to do that as well, but I think I like it just the same. You can also make it wider or thicker, so to speak, and you can select “recommend” instead of “like”; I stuck with the regular one. And if people click on it, their names and image will show at the end of your post as well; you get to determine if you want faces to show, and I decided to go that route for now.
What the like button does… heck, let’s just show what Facebook says it does:
“When the user clicks the Like button on your site, a story appears in the user’s friends’ News Feed with a link back to your website.”
And there you are. I hope you “like” this post.
WordPress.com added this feature and it is screwing with my comments. Will have to report it to WP.com.
Interesting, I see the Like button but do not see any copyright notice.
It’s sitting down at the bottom left, Scott; should be there. And see, that’s why you’re going to have to think about self hosting one day, so you have control of what people are putting on your blog. lol
Oh, I can remove it if I want. Would “like” to keep it.
I see the copyright now…didn’t earlier.
Sometimes it doesn’t show up immediately, especially if it’s a scheduled post, which many of mine area.
I also just installed a Facebook Like button on my blog, a few days ago. I think I looked at the one you’re using too, but I went with the one called “April’s Facebook Like Button”. Unfortunately I already forgot why I picked that one instead 🙁
Maybe you were hoping to meet April! lol Actually, all the other plugins I saw made you have to add code onto Facebook, and I wasn’t in the mood to even mess with that.
I’ve been loving the Facebook Like button on so many sites. Bloggers have already turned me off to commenting because the rule is your supposed to say something meaningful or something that will add value to the already well written post! Good grief, I have to write on my blog AND I have to write the “perfect” comment. How creative do these people think I am … okay, ranting over. 😉 Anyhowzit, the Like button has made it easier for me since I can’t say “Nice post” or anything else that only contains about 10 letters. Now I can do that in a slick way and pass the post on to maybe a better commenter. B-)
Oh, I added the button too. 🙂
And another thing, why am I adding the Like button when I already have the Share button … Did Facebook or WordPress just pull a fast one on us?
If you have one I don’t believe you need the other. I’ve never had the share button on my site, so I’m not quite sure what it’s supposed to do.
Well, I hope you “like” my posts as often as you see fit, Kissie. Actually, I like commenting on blogs that seem to tickle my fancy, although I’m betting that sometimes the blog composer wishes I wouldn’t. lol
I use Digg Digg plugin to show this easily,. Thanks
I installed a plugin called 1-click Retweet/Share/Like which places a retweet button, an FB share button and an FB like button.
Dean, is it a service you have to sign up for? That’s why I went with Topsy instead of TweetMeme; I hate signing up for stuff as much as possible.
I think I’ll look at this to hopefully spread some of my own influence. Thanks for sharing this Mitch
No problem Peter; I hope it works out well for you.
Maybe I am missing something? I have your post a like, but it does not show on my FB page? Shouldn’t it? lol
Actually, I don’t know where it shows up. I don’t want to be nerdy and click on my own like button. lol
Opps, I gave your post a like not have. lol
Like, have, I’ll take what I can get! 😉
It is a good idea to implement Facebook like and facebook connect. As well some other networks like MySpace on website, forum or weblog. After I did that, I got nice jump in my traffic.
That would be nice, Karen. 🙂
Good morning, Mitch.
Thanks for the heads-up on this plugin. I’ve tested several and none of them worked the way I wanted.
I just deactivated the one I was using, installed fbLikeButton, activated it and chose the settings I wanted, and it’s working like a charm.
I now have Like buttons before and after each post and not stuck over in the right column.
The good news is that all of the Likes are preserved and show. I didn’t know if I’d lose them or not. I guess Facebook is doing a good job of storing them for us. (Must be a massive database.)
I clicked your Like button for this post (because I liked it!) and you’re getting two nofollow links (one for the post, one for the blog) on my Facebook profile.
Working great.
(Also, I’m not shy about clicking my own Like button on things I write that I like. My granddaughter says that’s like trying to high-five yourself in public, but I don’t mind looking silly.)
All the best,
JD
Great stuff John, and I’m glad this plugin works for you. I just can’t bring myself to click my own button. lol