So, you've got a Facebook page... now what?

Now comes the fun/hard/exciting/frustrating/time-suck part. Facebook (and other social media vehicles) are great tools for listening to and talking with your customers. But they're only tools. Someone needs to jump in and use them. Whether you do this yourself or hire a social media voice for your business, here are some strategies anyone can use to:         

1.     Increase Facebook fan base

2.     Generate, lead and engage conversations 

3.     Turn fans into repeat customers

 
 Increasing your fan base.

 Start by making sure that the basics are covered:

1. Place a Facebook and Twitter link on every page of your website.
2. Place a Facebook and Twitter icon on all printed materials, ie: ads, t-shirts, posters, schedules, etc.
3. Make your employees aware of your Facebook page and invite them to join.
4. Add a Facebook and Twitter link in yours and in all your employees email signatures.
5. Keep taking and posting pictures of people and encourage fans to tag them.

 Next steps:

1. Place Facebook pay-per-click ads. They're inexpensive and a great way to let Facebook members know that you exist.
2. Place Google pay-per-click ads. Whether directing people to your website or your Facebook fan page, Google PPC ads are the fastest way to get your business to the top of the search engine giant.
3. Add a Facebook feed to the website home page. I can't do it myself, but they tell me it's a simple bit of programming most any web programmer can pull off.
4. Use signs around your business inviting fans to join you on Facebook and Twitter.
5. Use the @ tag. Ask your friends and employees to occasionally make a personal Facebook post that includes @(yourFacebookFanPageURL) When they do, the message goes out to all of their friends and the @ tag links to our page.
6. Use the @ tag as a signature on posts you place on other fan pages. It's a subtle way to put your business out there. Don't use it on every post, but there's nothing wrong with the occasional reminder of what you support.

Engaging your fans:

For most of us, talking about ourselves is one of the toughest parts of Facebook. What do you say? Why should anyone care? How do you say it without sounding like you're Billy Mays pitching OxyClean?  Here are some shortcuts to help you engage in conversations with your fans like you're friends.  

1. Ask their opinions. Polls are easy to set up using free Facebook apps.
2. Test their knowledge of your business, or industry. Again using free Facebook apps. it’s pretty easy.
3. Talk to your fans by name and reward them with random acts of kindness (and t-shirts don’t hurt either).
4. Contests While they may not necessarily increase your fan base, they do serve to reward those who have chosen to be your Facebook fan.
5. Post jobs
6. Post links to related articles, videos, websites, etc.
7. Use Facebook’s Events feature. List open houses, sales, or mark when new inventory will arrive.
8. Use Facebook to generate testimonials. Ask for reviews, feedback and comments.
9. Generate posts that your fans can relate to, be entertained and informed by and respond to. (I know, easier said than typed)
10. Search out, listen to and engage our fans on sites other than Facebook. For businesses, social media is first a great listening tool, second a great opportunity to say something.

Is it time to hire social media help?

No one knows more about your business than you. No one is better suited to be the voice of your business than you. But, you can't do it all. If you can't see setting aside two hours a week for social media updates and listening, then yes, it's time.