Facebook's Terms of Use state you can only have one account and it must be in
your actual name, not your business name. However, there is a place set aside
specifically to represent and promote your business called Facebook Pages. The
Pages feature is somewhat obscured; scroll down to the foot of any web page and
click on "Advertisers."
The two primary reasons to create and promote your Facebook Page--as well
as your own Profile--is (1) more people can find out about your business because
your Page gets indexed and is searchable inside and outside of Facebook, and
(2) you may at some point reach the 5,000 friend limit on your Profile. So
the time to start building out your Page is now.
Here are ten suggestions for promoting your Facebook Page:
1. Choose a specific domain name.
Buy a domain e.g. johnsmithfanclub.com (or create a shortened URL) and forward
it to your Facebook Page URL.
2. Talk about your Page on Twitter.
Tweet about your Page URL regularly. Preferably not just, "check out
my Facebook Page [insert link]." Rather, offer something enticing like "New
jewelry making video tutorial just loaded at my Facebook fan page [insert link]."
3. Create content just for Fans.
Add content to your Page for your Fans that they cannot get anywhere else,
e.g. videos, tips, special gifts, discussion threads, coupons, etc.
4. Conduct weekly drawings.
Run a weekly (or even daily) prize drawing where you draw a Fan's name at
random for a special prize, ideally connected to your business product/service.
5. Play hide 'n' seek.
"Hide" something on your Page and get your Fans to find it. Have
them tweet their answer to you! The first x get a prize.
6. Promote regular contests.
People love contests and video is becoming more and more popular. Create a
photo and/or video contest. Have your Fans upload their photos/videos to your
Fan Page.
7. Provide a place for interaction.
Start a thread on your Discussion Board that allows your fans to promote and/or
network with one another. For example, invite your fans to submit their own
(and/or their favorite) blogs.
8. Acknowledge fans.
When new Fans write on your Page Wall, respond by writing back on their Profile
wall. (This helps create visibility for both you and your Fans). Also, look
for your fans on Twitter and send them an @ message.
9. Send email broadcasts.
Send an email blast to your regular opt-in list inviting them to join your
new Fan Club. Offer an incentive to do so. Also, include an invitation to join
your Club on your email signature file.
10. Test Social Ads.
Promote your Page with Social Ads. Every time someone becomes your Fan their
name and photo may appear alongside your ad. There's a reason Facebook lumps
Pages in with Social Ads under Advertising! Experiment with a weekly/monthly
budget and see what happens.
Visit Mari's blogs for two free e-courses: 21 Keys To Profitable Relationships
at http://marismith.com and 7-Day Facebook Marketing Tips at http://www.whyfacebook.com
Mari Smith is a Relationship Marketing Specialist and Facebook Business Coach.
She helps entrepreneurs to accelerate their business growth using an integrated
social marketing strategy, with particular focus on Facebook. Mari is passionate
about showing professionals how to develop powerful profitable relationships.
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