Facebook. We’re pretty sure this social networking platform is here to stay. The problem is that most people are mulling around, playing games and sharing pictures without any clear idea of what they want to accomplish on the site. If you’re a business owner, you should be taking advantage of your very captive audience. Facebook is currently competing with Google for top-placement in terms of search engine use. The importance of your presence in the promotion of your business is more important than ever before.
Stop Trying to Sell Stuff
Unless you have a tangible product everyone needs to have right now, stop selling on Facebook. Seriously. Use your page on Facebook to interact with your audience. No one wants to log in and see tons of spammy advertisement plugs on their wall. They want to see you sharing valuable tips and information. Use your Facebook page to build trusting relationships and the sales will eventually follow.
Run a Facebook Advertisement
Facebook advertisements work in a manner similar to Google AdWords. You can customize your advertisement, choose specific keywords, and narrow your target group down by age and/or location if you need to. You’ll pay for every click on your advertisement, based on the budget you set, and will likely see a pretty significant increase in traffic (and hopefully “likes”) within a relatively short period of time.
Interact With Your Followers
There is nothing I hate more than commenting on a business person’s page than never, ever getting a response. Why are you posting if you are not willing to interact, comment, ask or answer questions, or simply thank your followers for being around? I also hate following businesses who never update their pages. What a waste of valuable internet space. Make sure you are updating your business fan page at least once or twice per day – in addition to responding to posts made by your fans.
Offer Special Deals on Facebook
One way to thank your customers for their loyalty is by offering special discounts or promotions those following you on Facebook. Yes, we did tell you not to stop selling on Facebook just a few tips ago. This doesn’t mean you can never link to a product or promotion. It just means you should severely limit this type of promotional tactic. Consider throwing a special discount code out on your Facebook page every once in a blue moon. Your loyal customers will appreciate them and those who have not yet tried your products or services may find themselves enticed.
Checking In
Facebook has a really nifty “check in” feature. Ask your employees and business partners to check in when they arrive at work or on a job site. You can even ask your customers to check in when they arrive as well (try placing a sign on your door asking if they’ve remembered to do so). Those who are really into technology will appreciate the reminder and everyone in their network will see where they are (becoming exposed to your business name and brand).
There are tons of things you can do to promote your business on Facebook. Your main concern is to offer valuable information to your followers without spamming them or shoving blatant sales tactics down their throats. The rest will happen naturally.
About the Author: Nicolle Bronchetti loves using social networking, temp staffing service, online games, and her iPhone to keep in touch with others. She’s an avid fan of technology and can’t wait to see what Facebook’s new integration updates will bring.