4 reasons your business should be on Facebook
The social network, Facebook is considered an exceptionally valuable tool for businesses. In 2011, if your business does not consider Facebook a beneficial marketing channel, your business will rapidly fall behind its competitors and business opportunities will be missed for certain.
To date there are more than 500 million active Facebook users and this figure is steadily growing. Facebook is a social network primarily used by the average user for personal communication rather than business. But…more and more businesses are being added to Facebook every day & with the addition of Facebook Ad’s (a paid tool used to promote your business to a targeted audience. Facebook profiles can often contain a person’s age, hometown, occupation, interests and hobbies. Therefore, Facebook can be an excellent way for businesses to reach their target audience at a very little cost.
Why invest time in Facebook?
1. Be seen by people who are searching for your products or services
With over 500 million active Facebook users, you can be sure that a proportion of them will be your customers/potential customers, looking for the product or service that you offer. It is suggested that Facebook users log into Facebook at least once a day this means it is likely that during this time they may come across a product or a service that they are interested in, this could lead to enquiry, sale or an opportunity to build brand recognition.
One thing to remember, a page is for businesses. Do not set up a personal profile for your business. Not only is this misleading but you will miss out on a number of beneficial functions that are only available for business pages.
2.Connect and engage with current and potential customers
When a current or prospective customer comes across your Facebook page or group they have the ability to add you to their ‘friends’, join your group or become a fan.
The whole concept of being accessible while they do what they enjoy will prove advantageous for you as it is reassuring to customers that they can get in touch with you, whenever they need to – with minimal effort.
You are able to answer any queries and concerns the potential customer may have putting you right in front of the competition.
3.Create a community around your business
Facebook allows you to create a community around your business. By this we mean establish a group of like minded people and businesses who all share a common interest.
Add the people that would want or need your product or service including their friends. Add/like the businesses that offer supplementary or compensating products or services and you can also add/like business that offers a similar product or service; even your competitors are an option.
This way everyone is connected not only allowing you to blossom alongside other businesses, you can also keep any eye on your competitors.
4.Promote your content and other resources
If people are not directly interested in your product or service, they may be interested in the content that you produce. Any news articles, blog articles, guides and webinars that you create can be synchronized with Facebook through automatic feeds. There are applications available that allows you to effectively share your content directly from your website so your friends and fans are always kept informed.
Get the most out of Facebook
Facebook gives businesses the opportunity to directly interact with potential and existing customers. If done correctly, you have the possibility of increasing revenues, brand, reputation and trust by doing very little.
