10 Facebook Tips for Your Local Business Fan Page

Are you still struggling with your Facebook Fan page? Perhaps you know it needs some more attention, but yet you are a bit unsure of what you need to do? There is no doubt that Facebook is one of the most powerful forms of advertising out there today, but in order to reap the real benefits, there are some extremely important factors that every business should consider.

If you are ready to finally get some results from your Facebook page, simply follow these 10 tips:

1. Spread the Word about Your Page - Simply put, the best way to gain more local followers is to let everyone know that your business is on Facebook. You can do this in a variety of ways, such as including a link to your Facebook page in your email signatures, sharing the link on your business cards and any printed materials. If you have a storefront, use in-store signs or window signs to let your customers know that you are on Facebook. You can also use table tents near your cash register in a store or on a table top in a restaurant. Always encourage people to Like your page when promoting it. You could even offer a free video about a relevant product or service in exchange for liking your page.

2. Share More than Information about Your Business - Remember that Facebook is a social media site where people go to be social and entertained. This means that NOT every post on your page should be a sales pitch or even about your business at all. Consider sharing a great tutorial video you may have found or a news article about a topic you care about. Show them that you are a real person and not just a robot posting in hope of gaining sales. Simply put be yourself, be authentic. The bonus here is Google loves authenticity.

3. Make Sure You Have a Custom URL. You need to get your first 25 Likes to earn it. This will make it easier for you to get found. Generally speaking, the default URL contains a long string of numbers and is not very easy to remember at all.

4. Take the Time to Respond to Everyone - Social media is about building relationships; it takes time, and interacting with each and every person who responds to any posts that you make is very important. This is where local businesses can really make a difference on social media platforms. By answering individual questions from your followers, you create an opportunity to bond with them. This, in turn, making them feel appreciated will go a long way to creating long-lasting, loyal customers.

5. Be Consistent with Your Postings - No one wants to visit a blank Facebook page or a page that only posts once in a blue moon. Come up with a marketing strategy that will focus around you providing fresh content on a consistent basis. There are no set times or rules to follow for posting because every business is a little different. Just be sure that you create a regular schedule and stick with it. This will help to keep your followers updated and entertained, and engaged with you.

6. Keep Your Page Fun and Informative - Social media is a whole different ball game than other forms of marketing. So when it comes to posting, think about what your target audience would enjoy reading about and use that as your posts. Keep in mind that not every post should be a sales pitch as your followers could become annoyed and stop following you. Create posts that spark conversations and encourage them to jump in. Share photos and stories. Consider using polls or surveys or simply asking questions as means to get your audience involved.

7. Use Facebook as a Way to Show Customer Appreciation - Facebook is a wonderful outlet to let your customers know just how much you appreciate them. After all, you would not be in business without your customers. There are many ways to do this on Facebook including simply thanking them, running specials for Facebook fans only, or invite them to tell you their ideas about how to make your products or services better. Listen to them and let them know that you really do appreciate them. 

8. Use Facebook Apps - Facebook has many different built-in applications that can help to increase your online presence and help you generate new fans. You can promote events, run contests, conduct polls, upload and record videos and much more. Take the time to learn a little bit about these apps, experiment with them, and see which ones are right for your business. The more creative your page is, the more you will stand out from the crowd. Use these applications to your advantage. 

9. Offer Special Content - Give your Facebook fans something unique and different from what they can already find on your website.  This can be special discounts, news articles about your business, employee recognition or anything that you feel is relevant to your business. These measures will give them a personal connection to your business and keep them coming back for more.

10. Link Your Facebook to Your Website - Always have a Facebook link on your business web page. Make sure all of the social media plug-ins are installed and are highly visible on your website. This lets your website visitors know that you are active on Facebook and gives them an easy way to access your page. It is also a good idea to offer your website visitors an incentive to go Like your Facebook page.

More than 80 percent of businesses across the globe are now using Facebook as a way to promote their business. Times have changed and social media is here to stay. Due to the number of people currently using Facebook, it only makes sense to put your business right in front of your target audience by establishing a presence there.  Utilize these above tips to help make your Facebook page a huge success.


Need some assistance setting up and/or managing your business Facebook page?

We specialize in helping local businesses connect with local consumers by establishing a strong social media presence, among many other on-line marketing techniques. Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation at mary@bigdogzmarketing.com!

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