Social media marketing is challenging for some small business owners because they are not sure what to post and where to post. I want to put a spotlight on Facebook and share some techniques to optimize the way you use Facebook.
Love it or hate it, Facebook is a fact of life. It’s where people connect with friends and family. And it’s a place where people connect with business associates.
As much as LinkedIn is a platform for business conversations, it’s just not as social as Facebook. People check LinkedIn during the day. And they check Facebook day and night.
That leads me to the current topic on how to use your Facebook pages.
First, you only have one personal Facebook page per account. Set up your profile and then post to your wall. However, you can have multiple business Facebook pages. But, don’t go crazy and add too many. Each one requires a lot of effort to build a fan base and create engagement.
Let me share a few tips on what to post on which page.
Here are 3 tips on Facebook Posting:
1) Beware of promoting your business on your personal page
Your personal page is for personal use. In general, you should stick to keeping your personal page free from business promotion. Not everyone follows this rule though.
What is the risk of using your personal page for business purposes?
If they find you have violated their Terms and Policies, Facebook may convert your personal page into a business page. All of your friends will become Likes on your page.
And that’s NOT a good thing!
You cannot send private messages to people who have only liked your page. You cannot invite people to events who have only liked your page.
And not only that, but fewer people will see your posts in their news feed.
So, what’s a person to do?
2) Post then Share
If you have something you want to share with people that is business oriented, post it on your business page first. Then, share it on your personal page.
I can’t guarantee that Facebook won’t look down on it. But, Facebook generally views sharing differently than new content you share on a page.
Here are a few things you can share from your business page:
- Blog posts
- Quote graphics
- Facebook Events
- Social Currency posts (where you spotlight someone)
Don’t overdo it and be sure to share other people’s posts too for variety.
3) Boost posts and run Facebook ads
Yes you can do social media marketing without running ads, but it’s getting more difficult. Ads can quickly extend your reach but you need to monetize ads quickly.
I don’t encourage you to run out and spend hundreds of dollars on ads. But, I think you will find if you set a small budget of $20 per month to start out and then start experimenting with ads, you will enjoy the process and it will increase your reach and hopefully improve your results.
Here’s a BONUS tip: When you create an ad, use it to either get more likes, generate leads or earn sales.
You can also boost a post which contains a video. That will increase the likelihood the video will go viral. Just make sure you share a free offer at the end of the video so you can generate leads.
Bottom line, be careful what you post on your personal Facebook page. Don’t run the risk of losing your friends!
Rick Cooper
Online Marketing and Social Media Trainer
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