Facebook Friday - Building your Fanpage

We all know by now that  having a strong visible presence in social media is critical to small business marketing.  The way people shop and compare items has changed; people do  not want to be sold to, they want to discover new and exciting things that can add value and beauty to their lives. 

There are many platforms and networks in use today, but the undisputed King of Social Networks today is Facebook.  Having a Facebook fan page for your brand enables you to make connections with people who are interested in what you have - be they existing customers or new friends just met. 

The key to successful Facebook marketing is to build relationships.  Talk to people. Seek out others who share you interests.  Exchange ideas, techniques - interact with your fans, often. People like to make connections, and will appreciate  your expertise and experience.  Once they get to know what you are about, they will be much more likely to buy from you. 

Face it, no one appreciates having BUY MY DOODAH yelled at them twenty times a day.  I've seen so many twitter users who just rebroadcast the same 'come see my shop, buy my xyz' and I got to tell you, I drop them fast as I can. It's boring and I think if they have nothing to say other than a poorly written sales pitch, well, I have better things to do with my time.  Unfollow. Goodbye. 

If you want to gain loyal, and engaged fans on your Facebook page, you have to give them something to talk about.  Post often, every day,  more than once if you have something to say.  Share tips, jokes, current events that relate to your shared interest and ask questions.  That is one of the quickest way to see who is really engaged.  The beauty of Facebook  marketing is the ability to have your message spread by your fans, then by their friends, and friends of friends. 

Building real relationships online takes time and a lot of work. You cannot just build a page and sit back and wait for them.  Go looking for fans.  Invite your current customers.  Like other pages with content similar to your own. Post there, get to know the people there and some will wander over to your page.  Put the link to your page everywhere  you can -  on  your business cards, your email signature, any printed work you do, etc.