Facebook has become a critical tool in business marketing, companies of all sizes are using it to successfully reach potential customers, build their brand, and extend their company base. A personal or a company’s Facebook presence becomes an extension of who they are. Be real, be authentic.
Now, some people struggle with making Facebook a successful part of their marketing plan. In most cases, the problem comes from the approach you takes in its use. A few adjustments can make a huge difference.
Here are six ways to make Facebook work for you and you:
- Be consistent. The graphics and colors you use on your Facebook page needs to beconsistent with your corporate website. The tone and quality of all your Facebook content should be consistent. Such consistency may sound boring, but it helps build trust with your followers. Posting random thoughts at random times is confusing and lowers people’s trust level.
- Be authentic. People can tell if you are not sincere. You have to know who you are, what you do, and who you serve. You need to stay true to those guiding principles. The adage “fake it ’til you make it” does not work when it comes to projecting an authentic presence on Facebook, or on any other social media channel.
- Don’t preach or hard sell. This is probably the most critical piece of advice you can take from this. Consumers have made a fundamental shift away from traditional marketing. They do not want to be interrupted by sales messages. They don’t like when anyone uses the hard sell. It will turn them away faster than anything.
- Share experiences. What do people on Facebook share with family and friends? Their experiences. That is what businesses need to do. Share your excitement in attending the trade show. Share the big success you had solving a client’s problem. Share that you are excited to be bringing in a new line of products.
- Like and share with others post. Social media offers the chance to take part in a larger community. Your company needs to be an active part of that community. Start following some industry leaders. Become part of your industry’s online social network on Facebook. Share information with your followers. Like some of their posts. It builds the relationship with your target audience.
- Always answer and interact with followers. Many businesses make a critical mistake in not interacting with followers on Facebook. Social media is a two-way conversation, not a one-way monologue. If you have a follower ask a question, answer it. If a follower posts a comment, even a quick “thank you” shows you are paying attention. If you cannot do it personally, hire someone to do it.
Facebook success requires building relationships and trust with your target audience. It is a process that not only expands your customer base, it builds your brand and company profile simultaneously. Today, it is almost as important as your corporate website design.
Take a moment and look at your Facebook posts and see which one got likes, comments and shares and simply do more of that. Your effectiveness on Facebook is measured in Likes, Comments & Shares – the more of them, the better you are doing!