EDITOR’S NOTE: “Social media savvy” is a monthly feature in the business sections of the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza and Sierra Sun, featuring information about trends in the world of social media, and advice and tips on how to improve a business’s ability to promote and market itself.
Facebook has 1.23 billion monthly active users and 757 million daily active users on average as of Dec 2013. (Source: Facebook).
As a business owner you are probably wondering how to get the most out of this huge social network. You may already have a Facebook page but are still faced with challenges such as: How do I increase my fan base? How do I increase the engagement on my page?
By constantly changing their algorithm and offerings, Facebook doesn’t make it too easy for marketers. The social media site’s latest change a few weeks ago got the entire web buzzing with blog posts and podcasts as to what Facebook marketers should expect to see with their page engagement. Some experts said that organic reach for pages may drop as much as 40 percent.
Below are 3 things to consider for improving your Facebook presence and engagement:
1. Build up your page: Make sure your page looks inviting and creates a great first impression. From your timeline cover and your Facebook apps, to how you use images with your posts and how your business shows up in people’s newsfeeds, it’s all about creating an image for your business. We recently published the latest Facebook dimensions on our blog and you are welcome to check them out. You can completely customize your Facebook apps underneath your timeline cover and create an email signup form, create an event or offer special Facebook resources for your fans.
2. Grow your presence: Quality and relevant content on a regular basis work best for growing your page’s Likes. You can also try to run sweepstakes or contests to increase your Likes, but make sure they fit your business well. Don’t give away an iPad if you are a florist. The fans you get may never become your customers. Consider targeted and affordable Facebook ads. For as little as $5 a day you can target your audience by geographic area, interests, age, gender and many more criteria. If used wisely, Facebook ads can be extremely successful for your business.
3. Measure your efforts: Pay attention to your free Facebook insights and see which posts work well for your audience. Do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. Another great free tool to use to benchmark your efforts is LikeAlyzer. You can get your free Facebook score with specific recommendations on how to improve your page.
You can also monetize your Facebook page. We’ve helped businesses achieve 2,616 percent return on investment on their marketing budget. And we are not talking huge marketing campaigns or businesses. We know it’s doable.
We recently presented to the Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology in Reno on how to use Facebook for business. If you are interested in getting the entire presentation which includes a lot more tips, just go to slideshare.net/milenaregos.
Good luck with your Facebook marketing!
Milena Regos is principal and founder of Out & About Marketing, an Incline Village-based digital marketing and social media consulting firm. She can be reached for comment at milena@outandaboutmarketing.com.
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