Understanding Facebook's unique possibilities and how it varies from other media is essential to effectively marketing your company on the social media platform. Just like you wouldn't run a radio advertisement on television, you shouldn't market on Facebook in the same manner that you would promote in a magazine or on your company's website.
People think of Facebook as a pleasant social place where they can talk with their friends, see pictures and videos, and just hang out. Instead of acting as a corporate 'outsider' who attempts to sell aggressively, you need to participate in discussions and become a member of a larger community.
Others will 'unfollow' you if you employ hard-sell techniques, such as advertising slogans, posting frequently about a specific product or service, or giving lists of goods and prices that are not connected to any other conversations on the platform. They may even make disparaging remarks about your company on social media.
It's critical to have a clear objective in mind while utilizing Facebook, as well as a plan for achieving that goal. If a coffee shop sets a target of increasing revenues produced by Facebook by 10% in the following six months, it will have accomplished its objective. Their approach may contain the following elements:
Daily posts on Facebook showing a special of the day that includes a discount code so that the sale can be traced to Facebook publishing a daily picture of a customer who is the 'Coffee King or Queen' of the day encouraging people to submit their photographs of themselves enjoying a coffee. Setting a goal and plan for your Facebook marketing offers you a sense of direction as well as a method to track your progress.
Facebook users prefer to converse with actual individuals rather than with a faceless corporation. You need someone who is able to write in a genuine and attractive manner while yet following to the style guidelines that are acceptable for your company's Facebook page. The ability to express oneself on their terms rather than in the jargon or "official line" of the company is also essential to their success.
While conventional media (such as periodicals or television) and other online media (such as web pages) are designed around regular updates, social media is focused on constant updating.
The findings of a recent Australian study indicate that Facebook users check their pages more than 25 times each week, and they need evidence that you are frequently publishing fresh content to stay engaged. Some guidelines suggest that you publish at least once a day, but the most important aspects are to post when you have engaging material and to assess how frequently your waiting people want content daily.
Obtain responses to your postings from other Facebook users, or encourage them to make their remarks on your company or a subject that is both of interest to them and you on Facebook. When they do post, you should reply as soon as possible – within 24 hours is ideal. Failure to react will erode your Facebook friends' desire to connect with you, and they will eventually drift away as a result of your failure to respond promptly.
Pictures and videos are a significant part of what makes Facebook so appealing. Make regular use of them to keep your friends interested and amused. As an illustration:
A clothes shop might publish pictures of new merchandise as soon as it arrives on its website. An architect or builder can publish day-by-day photographs of a home under construction.
A personal trainer may upload an instructional video on how to do a certain exercise on his or her website. Interact with your audience via offers, competitions, games, surveys, and other activities. People like Facebook when it is entertaining and when it provides them with something that they cannot get anywhere else.
According to research, the most common motivation for customers to follow a business's Facebook page is to take advantage of discounts and freebies. Contests and games, on the other hand, may be utilized to provide life to your page. Facebook may also be used to send customer satisfaction questionnaires to potential customers. You should make sure that your surveys are brief, and that you offer a survey link that people can simply click on, ignore, or share with their friends if you do this.
You must be patient to develop positive connections with other Facebook users. Positive connections may be fostered by being genuine in discussions, providing valuable material, and developing incentives for loyal consumers.
For your social media to function in conjunction with more conventional marketing techniques, be sure to promote your Facebook profile across the company. Embed your Facebook URL onto your letterhead, business card, and website, as well as in-store promotions, advertisements, and your email signature to increase your visibility and credibility.
Facebook Insights may provide you with more information on the individuals who like your page. Once you understand the features of your Facebook friends, you can customize your posts and offers to suit their specific needs and interests.
For example, if you own a book shop that serves clients of various ages, but the majority of your Facebook friends are between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, your Facebook offers may be tailored to appeal to that age range (while your in-store offers are broader). Alternatively, if you're an online seller who has never met your clients, you may be able to get a better understanding of their thoughts and feelings by looking at their hobbies, ages, and geographical areas on Facebook.