We’re not just talking about the paid advertisements. We’re talking about organically generating buzz around your brand. This rather long post discusses how it can work for you, and whether your business would be suited to Facebook.
The Down-Low.
Obvious statement: Facebook is big.
It now forms a large portion of internet users daily routine. It is the second most visited website behind Google.
Businesses have been presented with a whole new element to their marketing strategy. It costs nothing bar your time (unless you have it professionally managed). It is also a powerful support tool for your Search Engine Optimization strategies.
Facebook For Business. Explain.
A business is able to create a page on Facebook where users have the option to “like” your page with a simple click of the mouse. This feature shares the content with their friends by displaying each “like” on their profile for all to see. It has potential for massive exposure if the ripple effect takes hold. It is like a referral but bigger.
The Good And The Bad
Most friendships grow through common interests. If your friends “likes” a page you don’t know about, your bound to wonder, “what is this thing such and such knows about that I don’t?” You will click, browse and often comment. You may even “like” the content yourself, and the cycle continues.
On the flip-side. If a friend tells you, “do not eat at that restaurant. I saw a cat-sized rat walking out of the kitchen”, you will probably never go there. The same applies to Facebook but on a larger scale. Bad status updates or bad reviews on your Facebook wall will make your business lose credibility and potential customers.
Facebook exposure can be as powerful as traditional word-of-mouth. It comes from people we know and trust. Even recommendations from friends of friends of friends still hold significant weight.
Stop The Haters Bringing You Down.
Facebook offers user-friendly ways to prevent spam or hatred. You can filter through words (curse words) and black-list them. If someone posts a comment on your page which includes a black-listed word, their post is automatically prevented from being displayed on your page and is marked as Spam. This leaves a happy, clean and curse-free environment for your browsers.
The Do’s And Don’ts
It sounds easy. But a successful Facebook page requires a lot of work, time and effort.
Here a few things you will want to stay on top of:
Maintaining a conversational relationship.
You need to allow browsers the opportunity to have their say (which Facebook makes easy with the comment feature) and in turn respond, whether it is by replying to them then and there, or taking into account their feedback and altering your service accordingly.
Keep it interesting.
Don’t just let them like your page and then forget about you! You need to keep popping up in their News Feed by updating your status with new information. For example, photos of new products, competitions for Facebook users, tips and tricks, industry-related news. You get the idea! Remember – share, listen, ask, respond, reward!
Don’t let Spammers ruin the fun!
You will need to constantly maintain your Facebook page to keep out spammers, and bad, unnecessary reviews (often left by your competitors). By deleting comments and posts (and even blocking certain profiles) your page stays clean, and your credibility increases. Don’t remove legitimate concerns. Often how you address a complaint or negative feedback can be more powerful than straightforward positive feedback.
Is There A Catch?
No catch. Of course, the best things in Facebook marketing are not free.
Facebook ads give you the opportunity to target super niche markets with an incredibly range of filters including keywords used, age, location, gender, interests, education, gender, and even relationships. The ads are similar to Google AdWords in setup and function, however, they are rapidly increasing in cost per click due to the rapid increase in competition. If it’s not within your budget, stick with creating and moderating a simple Facebook page.
It’s Not For Everyone.
The whole point of online marketing is conversions and brand awareness.
A Facebook page could be fantastic for an online fashion store – people are able to view new promotions, read through customer comments and share items with their friends.
However, a Facebook page for a business that can not take advantage of casual friendliness towards customers and sharing details would not be as effective. For example, a Solicitors Firm would find it difficult to gain benefit from a Facebook page (although, they may make very effective use of the Facebook advertisements!)
If you would like to discuss how to take advantage of Facebook for your business (and whether it is worth your time), just give us a call on 07 3103 3660. More than happy to have a chat.