First Steps For Every New Facebook Fan Page Owner
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So, you have a brand new Facebook business page... but it's probably looking a bit sparse at the moment and in need of some TLC!
Although it is extremely easy to create a page, there will be a few things that you need to know to really get some momentum going.
So first let's sort out the basics!
Basics Tip 1: Get An Eye-Catching And Professional Timeline Banner
The best way to use your Timeline banner space is to think of it as a billboard.
Really make that space work for you!
Here's an excellent example showing you just what you can do with that lovely space: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/creative-facebook-timeline-covers/
If that's not to your taste, there are now many great Timeline cover creators.
Here a some of my favourites:
http://timelinecoverbanner.com/
http://www.imagechef.com/ic/banner-maker/
http://covertimeline.com/
Basics Tip 2: Sort Out A Great Profile Picture
Remember that your profile picture is like 'real estate' on Facebook, it appears in everybody's Timeline feeds.
So make it count for you!
Make sure it is clear and appropriate for your business.
A logo may be more appropriate or a personal photograph, but whatever you decide to use, make sure that it looks fine when it shows up as an icon next to your posts.
Basics Tip 3: Make Sure That Your 'About' Section Works For You
This top area of your business page is prime real estate on Facebook.
You must take the time to set it up correctly for maximum impact.
Make sure that your 'blurb' clearly and concisely gets your message across but, most importantly, ensure that you include at least one link so that prospects can access your main business web site from this area.
Basics Tip 4: Complete Your Page Info Fully
I can't emphasise this enough, complete your page info fully.
Add a physical address and phone number to build trust and credibility.
The more information that you add, the better you will be found in searches, both on Facebook (using the powerful Graph Search system) and on Google.
Having sorted out the basics, here are some tips and techniques to get your new business page active and lively and purring like a well-oiled machine.
Advanced Tip 1: Use Google Alerts To Find Great Content
It's really important to post regularly on a Facebook business page.
3-4 times per day is the ideal/maximum posting limit, spread evenly across the day (never post everything at once!)
Your posts should be a mixture of information, conversation, occasional promos (do not use your page to sell, sell, sell!) photographs and videos ... and maybe even the odd contest.
In short - keep it varied, personal, non-salesy and interesting.
Use Google Alerts to find great content related to your niche or business topic:
Advanced Tip 2: Don't Fully Automate Your Facebook Page
I use a mixture of automation and natural posting on my Facebook pages.
I use automation to make sure that I am posting every day, consistently, even if I am away on business, on holiday or ill!
However, if you never reply to queries and comments and you never respond to live events, your page is going to become dull pretty fast!
I use https://bufferapp.com/ for automation alongside the Buffer widget in the Chrome Store, which allows me to grab interesting content and auto schedule as I go about my daily business on the web.
However, I constantly supplement this with 'live' updates as I'm inspired, to keep a sense that a real person runs the page and is actually responding to page users.
Advanced Tip 3: 'Like' Other Business Pages
To get some viral traffic going on your business page, you need to 'spread the love' a little.
To do that, make sure that you are using Facebook as a page (not via your personal profile!).
You should now find some pages that are related to your area of business and take part in their community.
Never promote your page or your own product on somebody else's business page without seeking permission first.
If somebody does this on my business pages I regard it as spam, delete the links and ban the user - so be warned!
The great thing is that as you take part in communities and add value on 3rd party pages, you are identified by your own business page icon and link anyway, so prospects can easily find you and like your own page ... and make that all important connection with you.
The trick on Facebook is not to sell, sell, sell, but to build trust, credibility and relationship first.
Paul Teague
Paul Teague is a social and digital marketer and creator of the Clixeo software for Facebook at http://clixeo.com
First Steps For Every New Facebook Fan Page Owner
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Reviewed by Paul Teague
on
Thursday, December 05, 2013
Rating:
Paul Teague
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