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With Facebook users spending an average of 6 hours a month on the social media site (according to Nielsen), it’s no wonder an increasing number of brands are trying to use Facebook to their advantage. Some notable ones have already built fan-bases in the millions (Coke has 3.7 million fans, Nike shoes has 1.6 million), but you don’t have to be one of the big boys to find value in this medium.
A Facebook fan page allows you a way to offer customers (and prospects) relevant content that defines your brand and tells your story. It creates a way to showcase feedback. And it puts people interested in what you have to offer in the same virtual space – while giving them a tool to spread the word about you.
While it costs nothing to set up a fan page, it’s hard to quickly build a solid fan-base on Facebook without supporting it with some ad dollars. Facebook does offer paid on-site advertising, but the jury is still out as to its effectiveness. Using contests and giveaways to fans who join in a short window of time can jumpstart your following, but consider this growing trend to really boost your numbers: include your Facebook URL (facebook.com/yourbrand) in your advertising efforts … instead of your website.
By sending customers/prospects on a brief detour through your Facebook fan page (which should ultimately include a link to your site) you give them an opportunity to engage with your brand in a totally different way.
And once you attract all those fans, keep them engaged with regular and relevant interaction.
Tags: facebook fan pages / marketing / branding