6 Facebook Marketing Do’s & Don’ts

All Posts, Content & Copywriting, Infographics, Marketing, Social Media

Facebook Connecting PeopleFacebook is an important platform for both engagement and professional networking among business and marketing professionals.  But not everyone believes that time spent on this social media forum is well worth the effort.  Or perhaps you think you do have strong and proper utilization of Facebook.  And if so, that’s fantastic and way to go in leveraging your social media marketing channels.  However, if you haven’t seen much engagement last year or haven’t generated any leads from it, then maybe some (or all) of these tips can help you change your fate in 2013.  With a little time, a few colleagues and these tips, you can easily make your Facebook marketing strategy a success, increase traffic and engage, engage, engage!

#1. Content Making Your Audience Yawn?

Too many brands are guilty of over-posting articles and links to other businesses articles. Facebook is the most ‘social’ platform for all and people want to see, read, and share knowledge.  Just posting articles can make your page quite boring!  A better way to engage fans on your page and keep them coming back for more is to share a wide array of content.  Anything from Infographics to select business tips to short e-books.  Facebook may not be free forever so use this worldwide social media leviathan to your advantage while it’s still gratis!

#2. Tumble Weed Blowing Through Your Pages

There’s nothing worse than having a dead Facebook page. Many businesses Facebook pages were guilty of serious neglect with posts dating back weeks or even months ago. Not only does posting infrequently kill your Edgerank (the system that controls content visibility on your network’s News Feed), but it also sends a message to your fans that you don’t care to much about their loyalty to your brand and voice.  The best way to improve visibility on Facebook is by frequent postings, advertisements and product/service imagery.

Business man's reflection in tablet

#3. A Little Vanity Is Good

A lot of businesses still don’t have a vanity URL (username) and are using the same old default URL given by Facebook from when they first signed up. To business prospects this can look tacky and unprofessional.  Remember that once you have 25 fans, you are able to claim a dedicated username for your page. This comes in handy when you’re directing people to your Facebook page from other sources. You don’t want them to type in a URL that’s long and awkward. If you need help changing your URL,  here’s how to do it.

#4. Don’t Let Your Page Be Visually Impaired

We all know that most of us “eat” with our eyes first.  Visual content remains one of the number one way to engage with your network. What catches your reader’s attention through imagery certainly opens the door leading us to the relevant information causing them to spend more time on your page.   Without it, your run the risk that fewer people will ‘Like’ your page or share your content. Infographics are a great way to grab the reader’s attention with imbedded links to your page to promote key information or a healthcare service being provided.

#5. Facebook Features and Apps

Business brands may not know or choose to use custom tabs for highlighting interesting content.  But they should.  With Timeline, a default landing page is no longer a must for businesses.  You can now draw attention to your free resources, YouTube videos or other great content by using the (four) custom tabs underneath the header image (or cover photo). Custom tabs are fun and easy to create – here is a wonderful guide to get you started.

#6. Lacking Personality?

Although you still need to be professional on your Facebook page, it doesn’t mean you have to omit personality and excitement about your services and products.  Once in a while ask your fans short, entertaining questions (even within the business context) to keep them engaged.  Try to consistently engage your fan base by weekly postings with a certain theme.  For example, try highlighting a product or service of the week, share a business tip or customer testimonial. Nurture your Facebook community while still maintaining your humor and lightheartedness in conveying the strength of your brand and business products/services.

Facebook is a fantastic business tool that can surely help you grow your business, but you have to use it properly for it to work to your advantage.  So feel free to buck business stuffiness a little while using it to generate leads, engage your fans and gain a faithful following.  Stay tuned for next week’s follow-up article highlighting Tips to Promote Your Business with Facebook Ads.

 

FAQ or Fiction

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Is it really necessary for a small company to have website?
Can I really make SEO work for me?
Can blogging really benefit my company?
Is this all just a waste of time and is any of this profitable?

In a very Dr. Phil-ish candidness, you bet your butt they do!  And here’s why:

1. I’ve said this to potential clients, current clients, on previous blogs and to my friends…YOU NEED A WEBSITE!  Whether you live in a big city or small town, the truth is that most of the world doesn’t know you exist.  Unless your business has a product or service that is exclusive to your geographical region, you need to expand not only your mind but also your client list and profit margin. How else can a small company in Nebraska acquire a client in Maine?

2. If you have sneakers, you need laces.  Since you need a website, you need SEO.  It’s the only way to get higher rankings in the major search engines for your company with limitless advertising. Yes, it can be a little time-consuming at first if doing so yourself (or you can just hire someone to do it…see www.jpdesigntheory.com) but it is worth the time and your dimes.
3. Do you see the visual example of a necessary principle?  The more you or someone else writes about your company and services/products  exposure expansion & growth.

4. It’s evident from all the market growth and promotion of social media, it is not only big now but it’s here to stay.Customers are savvy enough now to use it to their advantage and that directly benefits your company if you get on board. Especially since customers are utilizing all the tools the worldwide web offers to discuss product/service experiences and research them prior to purchase.
In the end, I hope these answers to common questions help you to understand the importance and necessity of websites, SEO and blogging.  Can’t wait to see YOU on the www!

Branding Joneses Style

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About a year ago I saw this seemingly interesting film in Redbox on a solo Friday night and since I had no big plans thought why not.  It listed a host of stars including Demi Moore, David Duchovny and Lauren Hutton so I thought it looked promising.  After the first 20 minutes of it I quickly caught on to the main theme/plot and thought how brilliant a concept for a movie & in business!  It’s about what appears to be a classic, wealthy suburban family who seems to have it all.  But as the story unravels, you come to understand that “the family” is commissioned ($$$) by an international marketing company, which I’m sure is a conglomerate of several, to introduce their products into the right market niche via unconventional & REALLY smart methods.  (Yes, you should totally rent it. Check out the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=achUBX71Fj0 ).

So since I’m not a movie critic (at least professionally that is…) you might be wondering why the heck I’m blogging about this.  It’s because the clever concept they employ is all about having confidence when talking about the brands they are selling and consistency of their sales tactics.  And that my friend is what easily translates I gotta have it now to big sales for the product or service.  HOW A BRAND IS REPRESENTED TRULY AFFECTS THE SUCCESS OF WHAT’S BEING SOLD!  Representation of your brand, via your website or print marketing materials, is paramount to supremacy as opposed to mediocrity in your market industry.

Do you have the vision, tenacity and marketing savvy to leverage your brand to all its potential and watch your sales and profit
margins soar?  I’m sure the answer to the latter part of that question is yes but you may not be sure about how to employ the leverage part.  I’m no expert but I do give some noteworthy morsels in my last blog titled http://blog.jpdesigntheory.com/branding-to-dos-tidbits/ .   So take a few maneuvers from my playbook and let me know how implementing just a few works for you, your potential or current clientele, and I look forward to hearing back on the blogs.  Until then…decide if you’ll be Jonesin’ on your competition or if they’ll be Jonesin’ on you.