Facebook – How you can use this powerful tool to help your business

Facebook has two types of pages. The first is Facebook Pages, which allows public figures and/or businesses a space to share information, interact with their fans and create an interactive forum. The other, Groups, is more focused on a shared interest. Unlike Pages, Groups have a 5000-member limit. Pages can tie in with your account, while Groups stand alone. Facebook Pages has the tendancy to work better for businesses; Groups do well for non-profits, interests and causes.

While Pages would seem to be the better option for most businesses, they’re really geared toward well-known brands. In this post, we will attempt to explain how a small or one-person business can create an effective Facebook Page.

When setting up your page, consider this…if you’re a one-person business, rather than creating Facebook pages for your name, consider setting up a Facebook fan page for the company, product or service name and add keywords to it. People may be more likely to subscrbe to your Page (become a “fan”) when they see the topic that follows the company name. For example, for a one-person business, instead of creating the Page using your name, you might use your official company name.  Then you can expand it to show “yourcompanyname:  keyword, keyword”, with the keywords being the brief description of your company, service or product. 

Using this approach shows what kind of valuable information people will get if they subscribe to your Page. Not all of us have well-known brands like Kleenex or Microsoft, so consider this carefully.  How can you communicate your business/service/product most effectively?

Creating a new Facebook page requires picking a category for your Page. There are three main choices: “Local,” “Brand, Product or Organization” or “Artist, Band or Public Figure.”  Take a look at the categories and their subcategories to see where you best fit.  You may find that you could fit into numerous categories/subcategories.  Choose the one that fits your business best.

Prior to broadcasting that your Facebook Page is open for business, add some valuable content so people will see the benefits of subscribing:

• Import your blog entries.
• Share tips on how to do things faster or more effectively with your product or service.
• Announce free upcoming events or webinars.
• Mention if you or someone from your company will be attending an event for a potential meet up.
• Post how-to videos or screencasts.

If you’re not yet ready for a page, or if you want to become familiar with Facebook Pages, subscribe to some other pages and visit them regularly. Look for businesses you use, or restaurants you frequent.  Maybe Pages set up for your favorite local radio or TV station.  See which ones work, and what makes them better than those that don’t work well.  Do keep this in mind when setting up your Page.  Don’t come across as overly promotional, as this will turn many viewers and potential clients ‘off’.  Keep this in mind and you should do well.