Take a look at this picture:
I am often asked by my clients whether having a Facebook Fan page is worth while.
And, whilst I do have many compelling reasons as to WHY I think it is essential to have a strong Facebook presence for ALL businesses, large or small, I think this newspaper ad should be enough reason in itself.
One has to wonder – what does a large corporation like Willoughby Council know that you don’t know? Why have they not only set up a Facebook Fan page, but then gone to all the trouble of placing a large, colour advertisement in the newspaper? Do you think that maybe, just maybe, they believe that there is value in investing in this type of online presence?
You see, having a business website is no longer enough. Social media is fast becoming one of the most powerful tools in marketing due to both its viral nature and the social proof it provides. This is something I am sure Willoughby Council has cottoned on to.
For the business person, it means that your business contacts, your profile, business groups, targeted prospects, social media applications (and many other), can all be under one online roof. It means that through information sharing, you can find more opportunities to network with other business people. Not to mention the opportunity to be a better resource to more people in your market.
Here are my top 7 reasons to start using Facebook for business today:
1- The very nature of Facebook is viral.
Let’s say you post something on your Fan page that a reader finds interesting, funny or extremely useful. They are like to comment, like or share this with their friends on their wall. The likelihood is that one of their friends will also find that post interesting, funny or extremely useful – and then comment, like or share it on their wall, and so it goes on… Can you see how your message can spread many layers deep and a mile wide?
2- Facebook is the ultimate in social presence marketing.
Social presence marketing is the activity of promoting by participating in the pre-existing conversation around your target market, in a way that enhances and uplifts the dialogue, rather than intruding upon it. In Facebook, it’s easy to make such contributions to the community, and for people who want to know more to find and contact you. If that wasn’t enough, the audience is often already targeted and organized.
3- Your target market tells you exactly what it wants, and they’re easy to find.
Each person who joins Facebook has the option of filling out an extensive profile. You can browse or search profiles by keywords, or find groups and events by keywords filled with people who gather in the name of a common interest.
4- Over half of the people using it, use it daily.
Today, over 500 million people have a Facebook account. Do you think it is possible that your customers are in that group?
5- Better, stronger online connections.
Facebook goes the extra mile in helping you find a basis for connection to the people you know, or would like to know. Conversation starters include common interests, status updates, and upcoming birthday reminders. Information sharing is immediate, passive, viral, and costs nothing.
6 – Facebook friends are willing to continue the conversation.
Facebook is for social information sharing and interaction. It make sense that people who are already in the mode of action would continue interaction with you or even follow you to your site. The traffic to your site isn’t, by far, the most important benefit of Facebook for business. It’s worth noting, but the real opportunities with Facebook are to get better information, faster, and to have better social connections to both existing and new contacts, be they client, friend, acquaintance, or colleague.
7 – Facebook provides social proof
There are many ways that social proof can be attained through Facebook. One example is acheived through the use of a Facebook Fan Box widget on your website. This is a box that shows how many fans you have for your fan page and it can also display a set amount of profile pictures. The clever thing here is that when a visitor comes to your website, if any of that person’s friends on Facebook have already liked your page, they will be the first pictures displayed. So, the website visitor looks and sees their friends have liked your business. How’s that for referral marketing!
If you don’t already have a strong Facebook Fan page presence or if you need help to make sure you are getting the most out of this form or your marketing campaign, make sure you contact us to discuss how we can help you.
