Much has been written on the subject of social media marketing. When we say much, we mean reams and reams. These days, everyone seems to have an opinion on how best to market your business using platforms such as Facebook and Twitter – the list of do’s and don’ts is literally endless.
Despite this apparent prevalence of opinion, there are certain hard and fast rules when it comes to the subject of social media. In this month’s article, we’ll look at some of the key pointers for the ever-popular Facebook.
Keep up with the times
Facebook presents a unique opportunity to connect with your audience – more so in fact than you could ever hope to achieve through your blog or website. If you’re in business for yourself, you’re more than likely to be keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in your chosen field. You may even run regular webinars and talks, alongside consulting with clients and prospects on their business needs.
With this in mind – it makes sense to channel all this valuable content into an interactive playground like your Facebook page, where a captive audience eagerly awaits fresh new content to digest. From industry tips and insider knowledge to the latest trends, your FB page is a dynamic environment that promotes discussion and interactivity. By passing on the benefit of your knowledge for free you’ll also be raising your stock.
Keep ‘em coming back for more!
Social media brings with it a whole new level of customer interaction. Spark discussion; invite feedback; share experiences – the list is endless. Whether you choose to reward great ideas with discounts, or simply want to conduct a little market research, FB represents an invaluable platform from which to reach out. Keep your readership engaged by adopting a varied approach, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Judge how well you’re doing by the level of interaction occurring on the page itself.
Broaden your horizons
It’s no longer just about the wall. Facebook’s meteoric rise in popularity is matched only by the host of plugins and applications flooding the market on a weekly basis. From shopping tabs to hosted support pages, there is a veritable treasure trove of useful material you can use to heighten the customer experience. Oh, and more importantly, to drive traffic to your site! Check out ‘Get Satisfaction’ and ‘Fan Appz’ to get yourself started.
And now for something completely different…
Facebook is generally acknowledged as a place for light-hearted social interaction. Even if your company has a reasonably serious image, FB provides a valuable opportunity to liven things up a little by injecting humour into proceedings.
For those of you who want to keep it ‘strictly business’ – FB is still a useful tool for promoting your brand and breathing a little life into the business. Use the page to highlight significant events and milestones on the company calendar – supported by high quality corporate images to add a little variety and credibility.
However you choose to use Facebook, there is no doubting its value as a unique and dynamic marketing platform – don’t be afraid to experiment and, most importantly, listen to feedback.
