Social media
Making the most of facebook business pages
A facebook business page can be a very useful marketing tool. Here are some top tips for setting one up and using it.
Last year, facebook changed the terminology around business pages – insteading of becoming a “fan”, people can now “like” your page instead. This is a step in the right direction, and makes people less reticent to join your page. After all, you are a fan of a football team or a movie star, not a business! Here are some ideas to help you maximise your business page.
Friends: You will need a personal facebook page before you can create a business page. The difference is that on your personal page, you have friends. People you know and have agreed to be friends with. On a business page anyone can “like” you. You don’t have to be “friends” with them, and they won’t see your personal page. You won’t be identified in person unless you choose to be.
Groups: If you want to restrict members of your page, consider setting up a group instead. This enables you to approve people before they join.
Use the tools: Both types of page give you the option to create events, share photos, write articles in the “notes” section and start discussions. They are like a mini-website and very easy to maintain and update.
Naming your page: When you create a name for your page, make it descriptive – not just your business name e.g. “Sarah Jones – artist with a passion for colour” rather than simply “Sarah Jones”
More than one business: If you have different businesses, create a page for each one. You can have several pages.
Accessing your business page: Whenever you sign into facebook, you will land on your personal home page. You can link to your business page from your profile page, under ‘info’. This has the added benefit of being visible to anyone who looks at your profile.
A user-friendly name: Once you have 25 people on your page, you can create a “vanity url” i.e. a name of your choice which would be www.facebook.com/yourname . In order to do this, go to www.facebook.com/username where you can change it. WARNING! It’s very easy to mistakenly name your personal page, rather than your business page and once you’ve done it, you can’t change it. Make sure you choose the second option which is “set a user name for your PAGE”
Encouraging people to join: Evidently you will invite all your friends to “like” your page. And it will slowly grow as others see your page and join it. Add a link to your page in your email signature, your website, your stationery etc.
Saying thank you: When people join your page, send them a message thanking them for joining and encourage them to take part, post comments, ask questions. Your page should be interactive for best effect. It’s also good to acknowledge people’s input and comments.
Keep it interesting: What will be of interest to your fans – helpful hints, links to good articles, photographs, videos. If you don’t know, ask a question, or start a discussion e.g. what do you think of this? Make sure you’re not just broadcasting your news all the time.
Be inspired: Have a look at other people’s pages. Which ones do you like? Why?
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