As Facebook has passed the 300 Million mark, Facebook Pages are giving brands and organizations a huge opportunity to engage with existing and future customers. Facebook Pages give a great way “to connect and engage with your customers and amplify your voice to their friends”.
Below, I have created 10 strategies for using Facebook Pages and engaging with customers. This list does not include all strategies that are possible for using Facebook Pages. There are many other strategies and techniques that can be learned. We suggest that this list be the top strategies followed by any brand or organization looking to start using Facebook. We also suggest you use this list somewhat in order.
Once you have created your Facebook Page, follow these strategies.
1. The first thing I recommend is that you include all business information by updating the general information of your fan page. You want to make sure everyone visiting your page can see your website, times of operation (if any), and general information about your brand or organization.
2. Your Facebook Page image is just as important as the name of your Facebook page. Rob Banagale, a guest author on AllFacebook, published an article entitled “5 Creative Ways to Hack Your Facebook Profile Photo“. It is very annoying to see profiles and Facebook Pages with the default logo. The image is one of the first things users look at when visiting your page, and it has the potential to leave a lasting impression, so make it good!
3. Pre-filling your Facebook Page with valuable and relevant content is one of the most important tasks you have when your page is actually developed. Before you tell others about your page and spread it around, make sure that content is there. Content should be in the form of articles, pictures, and videos.
4. Not only initially filling your page with content is needed, but updating your page on a regular basis is necessary. This doesn’t always have to be articles, pictures, or videos. It can simply be with conversation. Ask questions, start a heated discussion, something to make visitors come back.
5. Integrating applications within your Facebook Page is a great way to form user engagement. With Facebook Platform and Facebook Connect, you can easily turn your own blog or forum into a Facebook application. You can also do something creative like developing a custom Facebook application. These applications can be games, polls, quizzes, etc. If you are familiar with Facebook, you know the many types of apps.
6. Joining the conversation on your pages’ content is just as important as the content itself. Every time someone comments on anything on your Facebook Page, make sure you comment in return. Creating a conversation is a great way to create real relationships with your visitors. If visitors have a feeling of connection and trust with you, they are likely to use your products and services. It is also just as important to comment on other Facebook Pages and profiles. You should create valuable conversations elsewhere. This will help you for relationships, which in turn will bring visitors to your page.
7. Reposting comments by others is helpful. If someone posts content that is related to your content, and you like it, repost it and link to it. By reposting what someone else has done or said, you are becoming a source on your specific topic. The original author will also appreciate the attention you are giving and may return the favor one day.
8. Another great way to draw attention to your Facebook Page is to post and tag users in photos and videos. While Facebook only allows you to tag your “Friends” from your personal profile, it is still important that you do so. Tagging your friends in photos and videos will create a newsfeed item that can be seen by all of their friends. This will bring visitors back to your page when they check out the photos and videos their friends are in.
9. It is a really great idea to use Facebook Events. Not only holding some type of event will be good, but the recognition of your event may spread across the network. When visitors RSVP to an event, friends will see this action in the newsfeed. The event will also give you a great chance to take pictures and videos to post back to your page.
10. It is also our suggestion to look into leveraging the power of Facebook Ads. Facebook gives you the ability to create a highly targeted ad campaign on their network of over 300 Million users. The ads can even be directly linked to social actions. This means that one person may click on your ad, but friends will see this activity and perhaps visit also. The Visa Business Network even gives you $100 to try out Facebook Ads. Take advantage of this and other offers like it.
The key to getting and keeping fans is adding value to your brand or organization. If you give your community great content, you should have no problem getting “Fans”. But, your Facebook efforts must be ongoing. Plan to dedicate a few hours a week on adding content and obtaining new fans. If you are a business owner, you should setup a Facebook Page to take advantage of social media and connecting with your customers.
Please let us know your strategies for using Facebook. We would love to hear them.
