Why are businesses updating their website, blog, commercials and printed material with “Find Us on Facebook”? Is it possible they know something you don’t know? Facebook has created a visibility section to their website which allows businesses to gain a following, promote special events, coupons, launch new products and share information about their company in a centralized place where their “Fans” can “Like” their page and get up to date information about their company real time. Sure – it is great in theory, but what can you do to make this work for you?
It makes since to take some time to setup a profile, post a few pictures and a few catchy sales pitches on occasion, but how do these businesses get their followers? What are they doing that can spread the word? Or have you seen businesses have created a page, with a follower base, but you never see anything from them?
It is worse to create a page & never manage it – than it is to not have a page at all. I would suggest if you have a website, create a space on a medium where you know your customers can reach you. It doesn’t stop there. It takes time & thought into accurately promoting your company, your services and gaining a follower base. I have seen too many times the aggressive vs. passive way of marketing online & neither is beneficial. Here are a few ideas that may help you.
(1) Schedule your posts – determine if once a day or once a week makes the most since for your company. These time frames are drastically different, but if you are posting an add, coupon or new service, you don’t want to offer those posts more than once a week. The daily posts should focus on something of like interest & not force a sale on your customers.
***Example for a park or zoo:
* It is a beautiful day to be at the park – don’t forget your sunscreen!
* The squirrels are finding ways to fill their bellies at the park, try to clean up before you leave.
* Today we are offering 50% off admission to the first 30 people upon opening! – Here is your pitch
* What is your favorite thing about playing outdoors?
* Today we found columbines growing in the garden by the oak tree, they are beautiful this time of year.
***Example for a technology person:
* Read today that Google is launching their own Internet
* RT: @aaaaaaa Great article about computer optimization click: (shortened URL)
* Off to a lunch meeting with a BNI consultant, let me know if you would like to connect.
* Check out our new service offering: 30% off of computer clean up and virus scans (shortened URL to website) – Here is your pitch
* Excited to have climbed my first 14er this past weekend in Buena Vista (shortened URL to a picture or website)
You see how your customers can become familiar with your interests, getting to know the personality of the one posting & yet you are inviting them to follow what your posts may be.
(2) If you aren’t connecting, sharing and showing others that you also take interest in them, then you aren’t reaching anyone.
* If you visit a website or blog, post a comment letting them know you were there.
* If you see someone has re-tweeted or commented on your posting, be sure to respond with acknowledgement.
* Give your viewers something of interest to keep bringing them back to your page.
* Contests are great ways to draw in new visitors.
(3) If you post an announcement to multiple contacts, don’t post it in a message format where those receiving can reply to all. These replies will cause a lot of unnecessary emails to your followers & they will lose interest in you quickly.
To summarize – if you aren’t out there, no one will find you. If you are out there & aren’t posting regularly, then no one will have interest in what you have to offer. Be careful with how you post & be aware of what you post as to spark interest, rather than lose interest.
