Jamie Yang, speaker at TEDxDar 2010

Jamie Yang is a player in the alternative energy industry in Tanzania, working mainly in rural and semi-urban areas within the country. It is notable that he worked for IBM at a point. Jamie’s talk was kicked off by a strong statement on the commercialization of poverty in Africa and he had with him 2 pictures of the same farmer, one posing to be the poor guy and the other of the same man, dressed in the same clothes, too happy, probably because he got paid to pose for the other picture. The tales told of poverty in Africa do not reflect the actual state of the matter here.

Jamie stressed the need to empower communities by working with them on the ground to use their available resources to better their lives other than begging for help to solve temporary issues. He explained how EGG-energy, a company he founded stands in the gap between non-governmental organizations and venture capital which he termed as “evil capitalism”. How they use social investment to empower communities where they work to providing lighting in areas where electricity supply is not available. While they work to make profit and still keep the community at an advantage, he explained his approach which he recommended, to do business with the poor at their affordability. To treat the poor as a consumer of their products.

Jamie explained how everything costs more to the poor person as compared to the rich. How access of services for the poor is harder because resources are concentrated along developed lines.

In my view, Jamie, who is among the 2010 Echoing Green Finalists spoke a blunt truth that people fear either because it would be too expensive for them if Africa was not seen as poor or because they are beneficiaries of the commercialization of poverty.

Why are NGO and non-profit organizations among the richest in the African economy? It is they who live in mansions and drive luxurious cars whose cost is amounts that would do something to change someone’s life forever. Why is it that it is they that “fight” poverty that first serve themselves with huge salaries from the money they got by using posed photos of non-existent poverty? Where is civil education on our resources and why is our economy still poor while we have gold, diamonds, copper and all sorts of minerals in this country? Why is it that the richest people in our economies find it wise to invest out of Africa? Just my mind running wild. Jamie was a great speaker at TEDxDar 2010.

Pete Mhunzi at TEDxDar 2010

The genius that planned the schedule for the day at TEDxDar picked a brilliant Pete Mhunzi as the first speaker for the event. Pete Mhunzi started out as a guitarist doing rhythm and blues before he decided to enroll into college in Afro-American studies. He studied Swahili which later grew into a passion.

His talk at TEDxDar was about the need for equal bilingualism, the pride that should be Swahili and its value to Tanzanians (and East Africans). Professor Mhunzi spoke of the pride and recognition that we have given English in the African countries, our rich culture and linguistic art is going to the drain while we should be selling it out and riding high on it internationally. He made quite some strong remarks about the override that is English over Swahili in Kenya and Tanzania, saying that to him, the idea of going to Africa and depending on English was like going to hell. He called it slavery that we see it necessary to elevate English over Swahili while it is the solo language that would contribute to the unification of African economies.

As a personal observation, I could not agree more with him, being a web entrepreneur, I have preached the need for local content and its promotion continuously. Google recently did a Swahili Wikipedia contest to try and grow the amount of Swahili content on Wikipedia. Swahili is one of the translations on Facebook and Microsoft launched Swahili translations of its popular operating systems and office software. This clearly shows the importance of our language and the more reason why we should do all we can to develop it.

Besides the language, Tanzania is populated with a lot of foreign products that we could produce locally. For example, why do we have American Garden sources on retail shops as opposed to local brands? Why are we buying South African and Dubai made juices while our fruit is rotting in the fields and on the streets trying to be sold? Why are we selling coffee to countries to process it and selling back to us at higher prices?

Donor dependency is another import of foreign strategies and cultures into our system. When donors LOAN money for development, they should not treat it as grants, its a loan and we live paying the loans. Lets be focused on being self dependent in anything that we can achieve.

First of all, I was not able to do live blogging, I only made notes so I could post a series of posts on the fruitful event, this being the first one. Am doing this at 1.26am so this will be the only one I do before I sleep, guess the events of the day took me past what I expected, I was too captivated by the sight, the sound and the presentations made at this first TEDxDar. First of all, like a lot of other people, I could not find my way to the venue, had to make a few calls but eventually, I made it. I got in the earliest I could and I think I was the first guest to arrive and register. It felt friendly already, the registration desk was full of life and love. It felt good to see my logo on the sponsor’s banner.

TEDxDar 2010 Sponsors

Had not had a moment to take some breakfast, maybe intentionally because Kathleen Bomani (@KateBomz ) had made it clear that there will be plenty of food, serving both breakfast and lunch, true to this, there was quite some delicacies. I had a nice Tanzanian mahamri, a cup of tea and an apple. At this point I was busy tweeting directions to a few of the lost ones, including Vanessa Mdee (@VanessaMdee) who I met a couple of minutes later. I was also making good use of my iPhone camera and the new Twitter application for iPhone taking pictures and tweeting them. I was not quite sure of how the event was going to turn out and my expectations were kept low to avoid disappointment. I have been a keen follower and e-vangelist of TEDxDar and I had a few people who actually thought I was in the organizing team, so it had better be a successful event. The crowd started building up bit by bit and familiar faces started showing up…familiar from twitter and not people I had met before. This was like being inside a reality twitter show for a moment only a few people looked either taller or shorter than my expectation. People were ready to socialize and exchange ideas, everyone was friendly and no one bashed me for taking a picture or uploading it, in fact, they loved it.

A few of the speakers were at the event much earlier than lots of us and this was great and it was encouraging for me and am sure to the organizers. Live stream equipment setup, high speed WI-FI connected and the place was starting to feel tech.

Just as I would have expected, TANESCO (The electricity distribution company) did its thing and there was no power at all. DIA was well prepared for this and a generator got us moving immediately. I had a nice corner at the back of the sitting, the only crew besides the sound technicians with a table. The session started on time, the schedule was well followed.

Maya "The Poet" Wegerif

Speakers were on fire (Will do detailed posts on their presentations/speeches individually within this series). The audience was keen and totally engaged. Most people were on their Blackberries, iPhones and Nokias and my assumption is that they were all twittering it. We had a great timeline with the #TEDxDar tag on twitter. Each speaker sounded very relevant and maybe its me but I think the choice of speakers was the best it could have been, although Nakaaya who was still on the programme was missing from the show, I hear she had “things” to do and she could not show up. The room had life, humor, teachings, love for our heritage, culture, tradition, technology, art and no one could miss the lady in blue, Maya the poet. Her performance was stunning, her composition moving. There were great TED videos and lots of lessons for our needy economies, our corrupt political system, the rich leaders of the poorest nations in the world, the mistold story of the poverty in Africa, the imported things that we produce, the hope and promise of our generations, the eventuality and necessity of change and self engagement in being agents of change, the reality of life as it is in Africa, the cost of living compared to the so called first world, how the rich get it easy and the poor spend more money that they do not have to make a living and so much more.

There was breaks within the sessions and first one there were refreshments, nice drinks and snacks, a visit to the sponsor’s desks and chit chats. Among the sponsors was Push Mobile who had a few of their products showcased and explained.

Lunch at TEDxDar 2010

When time for lunch came, we had great African delicacies. It was indeed looking and tasting great, had time to physically chat the people I normally see on twitter. Issa Mwamba, Sajjo, Gilsant, Technodesigns and more. It was a fun. As the day proceeded towards an end, the fire was heating up. The event was well arranged and we had one of the speakers address the crowd from a live skype stream and the quality was great and oh, she was great, made very clear points about things that we all need to touch on to change the way we live. (A post dedicated to this speech will come in the series).

And there was an after party, people were to meet the speakers and chat them, discuss anything and get familiar, unfortunately, I didnt make it for that one, got diverted elsewhere by the people I met today. It ended up well after watching a nice soccer game.

I also made it out of the place with a T-shirt carrying a really good design with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and TEDxDar on it, some really nice Tanzania and Zanzibar facts postcards that i must commend whoever did them highly.

I got more than love at the event, I socialized, tweeted and replied to posts made by people I could see smiling at me from the other end of the room and it felt fabulous.

I will be posting a few more articles focusing on the speeches and presentations at TEDxDar 2010. I have to sleep so I write the real intellectual stuff when am fresh!

Jamie Young, a co-founder and CEO of EGG energy spoke at TEDxDar this morning. I love the brilliance in his thinking. He starts by giving facts that we probably are all aware of but we choose to ignore. Africa is rich in natural resources. It is however others that end up enjoying this wealth, probably return it back as aid to Africa.

It is a fact that the richest people are the heads of states of the poorest nations in Africa. Everything costs more to the poor than it does to those with the money to spend. Its just an ironic world. It is Ethiopian and Kenyan coffee that is considered the most expensive coffee in the world for its quality, we export it, they process it and sell it back to us 4 times more the cost. It is the gold and diamonds in Congo that has come to a war and conflict instead of wealth for all.

Jamie Young mentioned how often the stories about the poor are mistold. They are twisted to portray need that is not there and make the situation look worse than it actually is. It is the people who make money from poverty that twist it so they can continue living off donations and grants in the name of the poor. Africa spends more than half of aid money importing food.

In a strong statement, Africa is not poor, poverty is capital for a number of individuals who have taken it to themselves to live off “poverty”…

The official poster for the event

TED is made from initials of 3 words: Technology, Entertainment and Design. TEDx events are independently organized events which are about ideas worth spreading – here is an interesting blend, TEDx meets a rich Swahili culture when it comes to town in Dar es salaam this coming Saturday 22nd May 2010 in an interesting inaugural TEDxDar. Am a foreigner, who has found a home in the sweet welcome of Dar. The warmth of the people of Tanzania is exceptional. The love for people within them is something you will never find anywhere else in Africa. They have passion for soccer more than anything else I know. They are a united people. Despite having too many tribes, they all speak a common language, Swahili.

Entertainment in Tanzania is unique. Local content is highly valued as compared to western content. The movie industry is booming. Local musicians are entertaining us in Swahili and making it to our hearts. They are expressive and they are passionate about their culture yet very careful to not let it keep them off connecting with the rest of the world. Nightlife is great, everyone becomes familiar too quickly. In the last few months I have seen great international musicians perform in Tanzania and corporates really believe in the power of music and art as a way of outreach. I have seen Busta Rhymes, Beenie Man, Angelique Kidjo, Sean Kingston and more just within under a year visit and light up Tanzania.

I have seen the great Naomi Campbell in Tanzania, mixed with Hasheem Thabit, Tanzania’s own NBA star, had a drink with Nancy Sumari, former Miss World Africa and Miss Tanzania, shared a cab with the famous Canavaro and attended my first ever soccer match in Tanzania. Its a land of great influence.

Technology is quickly elevating Tanzania and while the rest of Africa takes a step into the mobile and internet sweep, Tanzania ranks 8th in Africa on the state of the mobile web report. Mobile phone companies are in price wars to ensure the consumer gets the best and young innovators are fast moving to create localized content and get things moving towards the first lane.

TEDxDar cant come more interesting. It blends all this and puts it in a single event, a great Saturday to share ideas, mix and socialize. Great speakers in the list to take the very interesting themes, my favorite being “What Would Nyerere Do?” Its not specified with what but since am in the ICT industry, I would like to imagine what Nyerere would do with my iPhone, 6 Telecoms’ 5MB/s connection and probably a handy PSP. There is no telling, I bet Nakaaya Sumari (Tusker Project Fame 2006, musician and politician) who is among the speakers will be there to tell us what she sees “In-Between Spaces” the other theme at the event.

Selemani Kinyunyu, a slim young man who I met back in 2008 at my Nairobi office came to me to do a website for what I found as a really interesting idea about carbon offsets will be there too, maybe I can understand a few lines I missed then. In simple words, TEDxDar brings a unique diversity together and it sure is the ultimate event and am proud to be associated with this event.

I will be blogging about it here on that day and also doing twitter updates (Follow @raidarmax, @pushmobile, @majibuanswer, @TEDxDar and @tristarafrica for live updates on the event day. Also, use the #TEDxDar keyword on tweets and tracking software for live posts from the event). It is an exciting moment and lets keep it TEDxDar!

And for party animals and those of us with the energy to stay up late, there will be an after party to go with it! Its also about entertainment, isnt it?

When I said I was on the right side of life banking with Equity and using Safaricom’s M-Pesa, I was 100% sure of what I was saying. Now, the two giants have joined hands to make the most incredible service in mobile money worldwide, a bank account you can open, operate, save, withdraw, access loans and micro-financing and any other service within it just from your mobile phone. Not WAP enabled phones or complicated methods of getting that achieved but the world famous STK service from Safaricom, M-Pesa.

M-Kesho (I still dont get the name – M is definitely for mobile, Kesho is Swahili for tomorrow so combining the two…I guess its the future banking) is the new baby in town.

From my view, its a great product especially for the unbanked and those who find it difficult to access loans. While banking services are important, lots of Africans have no access to it due to poor infrastructure, lack for value of banking, processes involved in our banking systems, requirements and all that. During the short while that M-Pesa has run, its managed to handle more transactions in a day only in Kenya than Western Union handles in the entire world. It is proof that there is need and that innovation can be greatly used to improve the livelihood of the common man whose income is way less than average. So now you can open an account with only Kshs. 100 which is roughly about $1.25 and no operating cost. This for me makes up what we need to bring our economy to scale.

M-Pesa is serving over 10 million people in Kenya of all classes. That is where the mark has been drawn. I like what Michael Joseph has done with Safaricom and the fact that they are huge and not developer friendly does not make me like them any less. Safaricom has played its role in society. Thanks to Safaricom, there are more internet users in Kenya now.

That said and done, Safaricom can do better -  by working with local developers and allowing them to develop on their platform. Safaricom needs to learn from the likes of Apple, the success of the iStore is because each developer is given an equal chance. We can turn round Africa if only corporates were not as selfish as they are currently. Still on Safaricom, we would like to see you promote local websites in the same strength you are putting behind Facebook with the Safaricom Live brand. Lets hope someone from Safaricom actually sees and forwards this link to someone “BIG”!

Congrats on the launch to both Safaricom and Equity – BTW…none of their websites had information about this by the time I started to write this blog. Pull up your cables people!

Groove Awards 2010

In case you missed the Groove Awards held last Saturday in Nairobi, here are the nominees and winners. Winners are listed in bold on each category.

1.MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1A. Allan Aaron
1B. Ben Githae
1C. DaddyOwen
1D. Holy Dave
1E. Jimmi Gait
1F. Juliani

2. FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
2A. Betty Bayo
2B. Emmy Kosgei
2C. Eunice Njeri
2D. Esther Wahome
2E. Marion Shako
2F. Pst. Joan Wairimu

3. GROUP OF THE YEAR
3A. B.M.F
3B. Cabbassa
3C. Chit Chat
3D. D-Serve
3E. M.O.G
3F. The Wernono Family

4. NEW ARTIST/ GROUP OF THE YEAR
4A. Alemba
4B. Alice Kamande
4C. Eko Dydda
4D. Jero Mash
4E. Kris Eeeh Baba
4F. Masha Mapenzi

5. SONG OF THE YEAR
5A. Huratiti – Jimmi Gait
5B. Kiriro – Daddy Owen ft. Allan Aaron & kerah
5C. Mabataro – Ben Githae
5D. Niko na Reason – Holy Dave & Eko Dydda
5E. Pamela – Ringtone & SK Blue
5F. Taunet Nelel – Emmy Kosgei

6. WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR
6A. Maneno – Betty Bayo
6B. Mimi Siyawezi – Abeddy Ngoso ft Sarah K.
6C. Nafsi Yangu – Martha
6D. Nipe Nguvu – Caro Nyce
6E Wewe ni Bwana – Enid Moraa
6F. Wewe Pekee – Alice Kamande

7. ALBUM OF THE YEAR
7A. All I can Say – Benjamin Webi
7B. I can Do it – Holy Dave
7C. System ya Kapungala – Daddy Owen
7D. Someday – M.O.G
7E. Taunet Nelel – Emmy Kosgei
7F. 10 Ideas – Wernono Family

8. HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR
8A. Born Again Soldier – Hey –Z
8B. Glorious – Bupe
8C. Songa – Astar
8D. Niko na Reason – Holy Dave & Eko Dydda
8E. Prodigal Son – Wernono Family
8F. Stronger – Ngashville

9. AUDIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
9A. Bizzy B (Lampstand Media)
9B. Blackman
9C. Dr. Eddie
9D. John Nyika
9E Mike Olome (Sakata)
9F. Sammy Gitonga (Dede Records)

10. VIDEO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
10A. Chris Ruhiu (Sisimka)
10B. Mike Olome (Sakata)
10C. Muigai Ndung’u (Mchoro Pictures)
10D. Prince Makaya (GNPI Africa)
10E. Paul Mukoma (Princecam)
10F. R-kay (Moja Entertainment)

11. SONG WRITER OF THE YEAR
11A. Astar
11B. Benjamin Webi
11C. D-Serve
11D. Jimmi Gait
11E. Juliani
11F. Pete Odera

12. VIDEO OF THE YEAR
12A. Buzzin – Chit Chat
12B. Kiriro – Daddy Owen ft Allan Aaron & Kerah
12C. Mtoto wa Sonko – DNA ft Kambua & Kahura
12D. Pamela – Ringtone & SK Blue
12E. Songa – Astar
12F. Wewe Pekee – Alice Kamande

13. COLLABO OF THE YEAR
13A. Fanana Naye – Ngashville ft Dunco & Ba’mdogo
13B. Kiriro – Daddy Owen ft Allan Aaron & Kerah
13C. Mtoto wa Sonko – DNA ft Kambua & Kahura
13D. Niko na Reason – Holy Dave & Eko Dydda
13E. Pamela – Ringtone & SK Blue
13F. Pages za Bible – Alemba Ft. Juliani & Sadic

14. DANCE GROUP OF THE YEAR
14A. Cream Dancers
14B. Dice
14C. Ignitors
14D. Nana Dancers
14E. Saints
14F. Spartans

15. WORSHIP TEAM/CHOIR OF THE YEAR
15A. Aflewo
15B. Harvest worship team
15C. JCC Worship team
15D. Mavuno worship team (MWP)
15E. NPC Mens Chorale
15F. Voices United Choir ( V.U.C)

16. LIVE BAND OF THE YEAR
16A. Bloodshed
16B. Gerriey Wainaina
16C. Praise Avenue
16D. Rock of Ages
16E. Ruhammah
16F. Zidi The band

17. GOSPEL RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
17A. Activate – Hope FM
17B. Jam 316 – Radio 316
17C. Shangilia – Hope FM
17D. The Mixx – Truth FM
17E. Trinity Connect – HomeBoyz Radio
17F. Itaha Gospel Show – Kameme FM

18. GOSPEL TV SHOW OF THE YEAR
18A. Angaza – KBC
18B. Gospel Garage – K24
18C. Gospel Rhythms – Citizen TV
18D. O the Hook – KTN
18E. One Voice – NTV
18F. Shake – Family TV

19. RADIO PRESENTER OF THE YEAR
19A. Antony Ndiema – Hope FM
19B. James Okumu – Hope FM
19C. Justus Owaka – Hope FM
19D. Lucy Wa- Ngunjiri – Kameme FM
19E. Mike Gitonga – Radio 316
19F. Eudias Kigai – Milele FM

20. DJ OF THE YEAR
20A. DJ Krowbar
20B. DJ Johnny Celeb
20C. DJ Riq
20D. DJ Moz
20E. DJ Soxxy
20F. DJ Sanch

21. PWANI SONG OF THE YEAR
21A. Jina la Yesu – Marion Shako
21B. Sly Old Fox
21C. Kaa umeokoka – Bantu
21D. Mwachie Yesu – Gabriel Mwamuye
21E. Shika upanga wako – Alfred Mutawali
21F. Umenitoa Shimoni – Anastacia Mukabwa

22. RIFT VALLEY SONG OF THE YEAR
22A. Jerusalem – Grace Kipsang
22B. Lon’genyo Kiptaiyat – Maggy Seurei
22C. Ma mee Nguno – Lilian Rotich
22D. Shakenisho – Daniel Toninio
22E. Tilil Kipseng’wet – Pst. Joel Kimeto
22F. Taunet Nelel – Emmy Kosgei

23. WESTERN SONG OF THE YEAR
23A. Bana Befwe – Hey – Z & K-Zee ft rutone
23B. Ng’ona Engila – Naomi Nyongesa
23C. Nyasaye Were – Ev. & Mrs. George Wando
23D. Omufumu – Emalindi Faith Singers
23E. Papa Wanje – Man Ingwe
23F. Shibenyanga ta – Ev. Joseph Shisia

24. EASTERN SONG OF THE YEAR
24A. Chochote – Jojo ft Kerah
24B. Gituri Gungi – Sammy MG
24C. Kyama Kinene – Dorcas Ndambuki
24D. Mutui Museo – Victor Mbuvi
24E. Ni uniciragia – ken Kagundu
24F. Woona Waathimwa – Peace Mulu

25. NYANZA SONG OF THE YEAR
25A. Ahsante – Izralites
25B. Mayienga – Dr. Patrick Oyaro
25C. Samson – Ev. Douglas Otiso
25D. Tenena Bokongo – Ali Tosha
25E. Yesu Kedo – Geraldine Odour
25F. Yesu Malo – Paul Odour

26. CENTRAL SONG OF THE YEAR
26A. Githuki ni Githunduku – Wakabura Joseph
26B. Kiriro – Daddy Owen ft. Allan Aaron & Kerah
26C. Mabataro – Ben Githae
26D. Ndukaduire na marakara – Muigai wa Njoroge
26E. Nii na Ameni – Sarah Kiarie
26F. 11th Hour – Betty Bayo

27. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (UG)
27A. Aneti Mutabya
27B. Exodus
27C. God’s image
27D. Isaiah Katumwa
27E. Judith Babirye
27F. Wilson Bugembe

28. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (RW)
28A. Aime Uwimana
28B. Albert Shala
28C. Alexis Dusabe
28D. Diane Nkusi
28E. Patrick Nyamitari
28F. The Sisters

29. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (TZ)
29A. Christina Shusho
29B. Bahati Bukuku
29C. Boniface Mwaitegi
29D. Rose Muhando
29E. Samwel Mkubwa
29F. Upendo Nkone

30. ARTIST OF THE YEAR (BURUNDI)
30A. Apollianaire Habonimana
30B. Fabrice Nzeyimana
30C. Fortran Bigirimana
30D. Komezagusenga
30E. Niyukuri T. Douglas
30F. Willy Uwizeye

31. EAST AFRICA DIASPORA ARTIST
31A. D.M.E – Massachusetts (UG)
31B. God’s Replicah – Dallas (TZ)
31C. Julius Kamau – Massachusetts (KE)
31D. Kiki Mutungi – Atlanta (KE)
31E. Lillian Odera – Florida (KE)
31F. Minister Cathy – Massachusetts (KE)

Tahidi High Crew have a light moment on stage - Picture from KenyaMoja.com

For the first time since its inception, the Chaguo La Teeniez Awards (CHAT Awards) had a Facebook Page category and this is just another show of how social media is taking up on how we live our lives. The Tahidi High Fan Page took the day beating Nonini’s fan page, Home Boyz and Jua Cali’s page. Am still not sure of the criteria used to choose this award, because looking at the page, its small in terms of fab base although it looks very regularly updated and engaging the fans.

The yearly event which targets teens mainly in high school incorporates media, music, TV, art and radio as the main categories and this year even though there was no website nominated, Facebook made a debut.

For a list of winners and pictures, see http://www.kenyamoja.com/chat2010/

The use of mobile internet in Kenya rose by 615.4% between November 2008 and November 2009, quite a heavy increase compared to other countries placed top 10 by  State of the Mobile Web, November 2009 a report by Opera, the most popular mobile browser currently. Got me thinking, Ghana is the biggest riser in this list, with over 4000% increase, followed by Kenya, the number of local mobile websites is ashamedly low and the increase within the said period of local mobile websites (or visits to them) is barely unnoticeable.

While the use of mobile internet is rising, content is lacking and this is where I say the African developers are sleeping on the job. We have most of the African traffic headed to Google, Facebook, Youtube, Yahoo and other major American sites, while the local websites remain unnoticed. Its funny that on that list, Safaricom’s wapsite is not even on the top 10 of the Kenyan traffic while its the start page on default browsers on mobile phones if you are using their connection.

I have mentioned before that corporates need to brace up to these stats and start giving mobile web the place it deserves. Nation Media is one of the most visited website in Kenya on the web but its also not appearing on the list because their site is not mobile friendly and they do not have a wap version – Standard group appears at number 10 because they actually have a mobile news site.

For the next few years, the best traffic you will get on the African web is mobile and this is a challenge to developers to provide mobile content for Africa and you will create traffic like never before.

Facebook is the biggest social network on the internet today. With over 300 million users worldwide and at least 150 million logins each day, nothing comes close. Based on statistics found on their Press Releases, Facebook’s fastest growing demographic  is those 35 years old and above, making it the best place to reach people who you can easily convert to customers for your business. People know that you can use Facebook for traffic generation to your website but very few people have the correct means to do that.  You have a business running online and the more people you can get to view your website the more customers you can get.

Here are a few tips I have learned from experience and research throughout the time I have been on Facebook as just a social platform or as a place for traffic generation. There are a few ways you can advertise for free on using Facebook, here is a few ways:

1. Status Updates on Your Profile:
Whenever you update your status message on Facebook, your friends (in this case its the people you have added as friends on Facebook) can see it when they log in on the homepage stream. This may not have an impact as so big because you can only reach the number of friends you have and most likely only half of them will get to see your update because say for instance, I have 700 friends, if I log in, I can only see about 40 updates on my homepage. With 700 friends, there is a good chance that more than 40 of them will have an update each hour meaning unless am on Facebook the whole time, I will miss most of the updates. Again, consistent advertising on Facebook Status makes people loose interest because that is not what the Status update is meant for.

2. Facebook Groups
Facebook groups have been over used as a means of advertising by a lot of people although in my view, its not very effective. Groups allow administrators to send messages to uses directly into their inbox, users can reply to everyone and threads can continue endlessly. There are also discussions that are allowed on the groups page and there is a wall that user can post into.  Group advertising may not be very effective as only members interested in the groups can go to the groups homepage. A lot of people join groups that they never return to just because they were invited by a friend or the group had a catchy title.

3. Facebook Notes
Facebook allows you to write articles and post them on your profile, allowing you to tag friends which means your friends and their friends can view, comment and share the notes. This to me is a great way of spreading word on new things and it makes the network larger. Creatively written notes can really work to help you market your product or website.

4. Facebook Events
When you create a Facebook event, you can invite your friends and their friends can invite their friends. This means your event gets multi-level advertising from the list of your friends. This works but it takes a huge interest in the list of people to start spreading word about your event.

5. Facebook Pages
Ask me, I will tell you that this is the most effective tool on Facebook. When you create a page for your business or product, it allows members to become fans/supporters. Facebook pages allow unlimited number of fans and this means unlike friendships which are limited to 5000, you can keep close contact with your fans. The page now has a profile of its own with picture galleries, status updates, wall and almost all the features of the normal profile page. This means that if you have 30,000 fans and you update your status, the message is shown on your fan’s homepage. This gets a huge reaction and it translates to proper traffic. The fact that it allows you to stream updates into the fan’s inbox is an added advantage, you can send messages to all your fans as updates. It also allows members to post on your wall and you can discuss things just on the wall which is the most common way of communication on facebook.

6. Facebook Paid Ads
Facebook pay-per-click ads work more like Google Adwords although they are more specific on demographics. You can choose to target people aged 30-35 from Nairobi, specific to gender and interests. This makes it a huge value for money. Basically if you have money to spend on advertising, my advice is you spend it on Facebook.

In conclusion, Facebook can be a great source of traffic for your website or business, if you were to take advantage of all of the above factors, you will achieve great results. My advice before you pay for a Facebook ad, create a fan page first and advertise the page instead of advertising your external website directly. Below are a few reasons why I think this is more effective than direct advertising:

1. Facebook Pages are more like permanent advertisements because you keep your fans from the moment they join.
2. Its cheaper to advertise.
3. When you create a new fan, you create a connection that will allow you to be able to continuously communicate with your fans while if you advertise your website directly, one may click and if at the moment they are not interested, they will never remember the website to go back to it.
4. When a member becomes a fan of your page, all their friends can see it as part of the wall streams and that means that they can also get into it out of curiosity or interest.