While Facebook began as a way for friends and family members to communicate and keep in touch, it didn’t take long for businesses to jump in and take advantage of this fast-growing social media site. How it can be used to help build a business is the subject of this article.
Business Exposure
It’s quick and easy to start a business Facebook Page. Using the Facebook interface, it can be created in just a few minutes. This public profile allows a business to share not only the business persona, but also to feature products and special offers. The profile can be personal – featuring key people in the organization – or it can focus on the unique brand and products and services of the business itself. Either way, it serves to give exposure that is more low-key and personable than almost any other venue besides blogging.
Interconnections
One of the greatest assets of social media marketing is the inter-connectivity. It’s a simple process to install the appropriate Facebook applications to integrate feeds from a blog and other social media accounts into a Facebook profile. Now blogs, websites, YouTube videos and other sites such as LinkedIn can all be connected to one another. This contributes to the viral growth of online exposure.
Dialogue with Fans
When fans interact with a business Facebook Page, stories that link to the Page can be sent to their Facebook contacts through the News Feed. As these friends interact with the Page, the News Feed continues to expand the message to an even wider circle of fans. As long as value-laden content is offered, people will follow. Provide ways for fans to respond either through comments, surveys, or polls and opinion spots. When these techniques are used, the viral growth never stops.
Start a Group
Start a group on Facebook that interrelates to the product or industry that best represents the business. Such things as links to a company site, newsletter subscription information and blog archives can be added. Events such as webinars and new product launches can be posted as well. The Group Page can also be connected to other like-minded professional groups. Keep the Group Page updated on a regular basis and take care that only quality information is presented.
Facebook Ads
Spread the word of your business even further by using Facebook ads. There is a cost involved in this aspect of Facebook; however, because the ad can be laser-targeted, it’s often highly effective. Facebook offers a choice of graphics, text, and target audience. These ads are placed on pages that match the demographics selected by the purchaser. The ads can be micro-managed and can be stopped and started at will. Choose the plan that best fits the marketing budget available.
This article has presented five ideas for building business through Facebook. There are many others. With its popularity growing daily, there’s no reason not to take advantage of this active social media venue as a potential business-builder.
