To compare your Facebook fan page (when used properly) to your standard business website would be like comparing a 3G phone to a pager. Facebook is a bilateral experience to engage and respond, reach out to your community, become a part of new social circles, the possibilities are endless!
Keep it up to date. A dormant Facebook is actually worse than not having a Facebook at all. If you don’t have fans, new content, and updated material, users will think you have nothing going on, and the lackluster impression will reflect on your professional image and leave your page visitors unconvinced. The same is true for over-posting. You’ve seen that person on Facebook, updating their status every ten minutes to let you know about their new listing or prepping for an open house. You don’t want to appear as if you’ve got nothing but time for Facebook, as always, moderation is key.
Don’t stop at your page. Creating content for your page is great, but you’re limited to your fans and a small number of “clickers-by”. If you’re looking to extend your network to other users in the community, you want to get your face all over your “Facebook town”. Find the fan page of your favorite coffee shop, the dog groomer, that old hole in the wall that makes killer hot dogs. Keep your target market in mind. Where do they shop? What restaurants do they frequent? These are the pages that build a large fan base that YOU want to reach.
Niche marketing has never been easier. By becoming a fan, or marking these companies as a “Favorite” you are instantly relating to the other fans in the community, and they know that you’re someone they may run into next time they’re at Peppino’s Happy Hour. Be sure to write on their wall, even if only to thank them for the terrific service and hot cup of coffee this morning. Not only are you forming business to business relationships and networking, but you’re getting great exposure to all their fans in the area.
Try this. Become a fan of your favorite local businesses, establishments that you think your target market might frequent. Under the main photo, click the “Add to my pages Favorites” feature. After you’ve added them, leave a message on their wall letting them know they are now a favorite of yours on Facebook. Add the link to your own fan page, and let them know you hope to be their favorite when it comes to Real Estate. Your link will now be on their wall, as well as the “Links” section of their page for all their fans to see!
Erica (Parpan) Lawrence
Operations Manager
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