In the modern world, no business of any size can afford to ignore Facebook, by far the Web's largest social network, with over a billion active users. These days, the best way to browse local businesses is via the Internet, and a large portion of those who check out businesses online are also on Facebook.
More than hosting the social whims of its users, however, Facebook offers the marketing machine to small businesses - all these businesses need is a little know-how to get started. Facebook is a great resource for businesses looking to connect with potential new customers, offering more ways than one to expand one's marketplace. In fact, the site offers so many ways to engage potential customers that it may be difficult to figure out where to begin.
Check out these five steps to get started.
- Establish an appropriate Facebook presence. A business that hasn't staked a Facebook claim will typically find that its competitors are already on the scene. However, a little competition doesn't mean that a business should strive to create a monolithic Facebook page dripping in ad copy. Businesses should stick to their own pre-established brand identity.
- Seek and nurture true advocates. It may seem tempting to "friend" every Facebook users in a 20-mile radius, but those Facebook users who are willing to stand behind a brand are much more valuable than those who feel lukewarm about it at best. When making posts and leaving comments, businesses should curtail the urge to be anything less than genuine; they should avoid bribes, threats, and empty "likes." A true brand advocate will spread that business's message because he wants to - not because a business liked all his photos.
- Break out the best possible online customer service. More and more, Internet users expect to be able to ask business questions, resolve ongoing issues, and get good advice online. To be truly valued in the eyes of customers, businesses should aim to use social media as a customer service platform.
- Maintain a Facebook presence. After building a fan base, businesses should keep in touch. These fans actually want to hear new and worthwhile tidbits about a business they believe in, so it pays to stay in the forefront of their thoughts. A business that has big news or is offering an especially enticing deal would be wise to pay to promote such a post. Unfortunately, Facebook posts won't reach all of a page's fans without a paid promotion.
- Direct fans to the business website. In addition to maintaining a Facebook presence, the modern business must build and keep an accessible, easy-to-navigate webpage. One of the best uses of Facebook, then, is to direct fans to the company site, where they can learn everything they need to know about company products and deals. Perhaps they'll even link back to the company site on their own Facebook pages.
When everything is said and done, Facebook offers plenty of benefits for a company, its most sincere advocates, and its new clients. Companies would be wise to remember, however, that they can't control everything that goes on in a social network, and that they shouldn't try to curb every unwanted user post. Businesses should maintain a Facebook presence, but this social media site shouldn't represent the one online basket that holds all the eggs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8378754
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