If Facebook had a slogan, it might be “Decreasing personal productivity since 2007.” Simply put, Facebook is a procrastinator’s dream. While this can leave bosses or professors frustrated, it is great for the small business. With people frequently on facebook, it is one of the most ideal places for marketing.
Facebook marketing can help take your small business to the next level, allowing you to reach out to innumerous customers. But, this does not come without effort. In order to utilize facebook fully, you need to start doing what the rest of America is: get on Facebook as much as you can.
Make a Splash with your Profile / Facebook Page: The first step to successful Facebook marketing is creating a great profile (if you a sole operator or a Facebook Page if you’re a business). Keep in mind that this is your online image, your brand. A solid profile should include a professional photo, contact information, website addresses, blog addresses, and professional interests. You can also include some personal information, such as interests, if it helps your cause. It is best to keep anything controversial (such as rants on religion or politics) away from your profile. (Remember businesses wants Facebook Pages not profiles).
Add Friends to your Facebook Page/Profile: Friends are the cornerstone of Facebook marketing: the more friends you add, the more potential customers you reach. Yep, it’s really that simple. To begin, add friends you know – relatives, old classmates, people from your neighborhood – and then add their friends. In very little time, you can have literally thousands and thousands of friends in your network.
Join Groups that Interest your Business: Another key to Facebook marketing is to join groups that are of interest to your company. If your company manufactures pacemakers, for instance, join groups like The American Heart Association and other healthcare affiliations. Join discussions and speak to those with similar interests. You might be surprised by the connections you can make.
List Any Events: Another nice feature of Facebook is that it allows you to list any events you might be having, either online or in person. This can include everything from seminars or conferences you may be attending to social mixers and holiday sales. You can also invite people to each event and leave it open to those who weren’t specifically invited.
To Market, to Market: Facebook has a marketplace, much like Craigslist, that allows you to list products and services for free. If you have a small business, there is no reason not to be listed. You can also advertise on Facebook. Though this isn’t free, it is very affordable and allows you to target highly specific demographics.
Use Social Networking to Your Advantage: The biggest key to Facebook marketing is to actually capitalize on its potential. Reach out to people, engage others, write on walls, start discussions and create a community of support for your business.
Facebook marketing is one of the easiest, most affordable, and more affective forms of doing business today. As it becomes even more popular (if possible), it will become increasingly instrumental to the success of small businesses everywhere.