How Do You Run a Successful Business Page on Facebook?
I have been struggling with getting enough page likes and getting activity on my posts. I feel like I'm following all of the rules: posting pictures, making sure my content is interesting rather than just self-promotional, but I can't seem to make much progress. Are there any good tips I should know?
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Mar 3, 2014
You seem indeed to be doing the right things. Important however to getting traction is "Interaction, interaction, interaction".
What I mean is, asking questions, challenging your users, creating a dialogue of posts between you and your audience.
For example, a few months back, my team & I asked/challenged our community to take our business logo, the Showrush logo (a triangular shape) and make pictures of things in their lives that could symbolize & reflect the Showrush logo.
Within days, people were posting photos of the triangle shape that they made or saw with candy, with toys, with ice (when in the North Pole), in buildings, etc.
That really created momentum on our Facebook page and a true bond between our community & our brand.
Interaction is key!
Dec 16, 2013
It takes time to build a successful Facebook page, trust me, I've been there and I think I'm still there. Growing and engaging your subscribers doesn't end when you hit your initial target.
Anyway, based on personal experience, I'm with Miguel on this. Groups allow you to reach a wider audience and clean theme is always pleasing to the eye. It won't hurt if you also reach out to individuals asking for likes.
Don't lose hope, with a little more hard work I'm sure you'll reach your goals. Good luck!
Dec 8, 2013
Unfortunately this is a common question from many business owners so know that you are not alone.
The way Facebook works these days makes it harder and harder to grow your page organically. We are being forced into Facebook advertising not only to reach new fans but also existing ones (those that already like our page). This is now the best way to grow you page likes and engagement of your posts. If you are doing everything else correctly which is sounds like you are (posting regularly (2-3 times per day!), using photo's etc) then the next step is to explore Facebook ads if you want to grow quicker.
Also have a look at Amy Porterfield's free online resources about Facebook for business where she talks a lot about using Facebook ads www.amyporterfield.com
Nov 30, 2013
I Colette, First of all having more likes on facebook for business to be successful is myth. Focus on your product, use forums on facebook, use paid promotion if required, but do all these to drive your business, not to accumulate facebook likes.
For your info I would like to inform you that most of likes of many brand (including TOP brands) are fake. From my SMM experience, there are many people who trade facebook likes. If you want I will send you info of sites and forum where you will get facebook likes. From my marketing experience I would again like to inform you that facebook likes and comments are not that important, conversion is important.
Also type of business, market segment, industry are some of the important factors for engagment in social media.
Nov 29, 2013
Colette, relevant content marketing depends on your niche or fan base. Be sure to post topics that generate choice between two things at least (IOS vs Android, or Tea vs Coffee...). That's one tip among multitude and one rule overall is to be on your fans's shoes...Any other advice is the welcome !
Nov 28, 2013
Hi Colette - I dont know if this has been covered by previous folks but I would recommend adding a 'like gate'. Give away something free that your audience will value but give it away only after they have liked you. The 'like gate' is the technology that facilitates this. We are in the process of building up likes to effectively build a community of people that we can interact with. There's some cool stuff you can also do with facebook ads now using the power editior to create very targeted campaigns and drop adverts into people's timelines. Take a look at our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CVandInterviewAdvisors - and if it works for you, I can put you in touch with someone who can do this for you for £50 - £100. Happy facebooking!
Nov 28, 2013
Hi Colette, without a doubt Miguel and Eva have nailed it. For me, giving a couple of samples of my work and asking for people's thoughts & asking them to share with their friends for more input has worked for me - although it can get a bit personal and there are always trolls out there to spoil it, but it certainly engages people and from that you learn so much. Don't be scared to blatantly ask for 'like's as well. As in, thanking the people who already like you and asking them to share your page to really grow the page for everyone's benefit. If you're giving content relevant to your targeted audience, the more involvement, the more interaction, the more we all learn. Good luck :-)
Nov 28, 2013
If you are already a member of LinkedIn, I suggest you visit this page, like them and ask for likes - I've received a couple of hundred over the past three months. It will generate people seeing your site and you never know who will investigate further...I've sold a number of books through this...
http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=90558862&gid=3255188&commentID=5811915136050409472&trk=view_disc&fromEmail=&ut=2jTkI
Nov 28, 2013
Hi Colette, start by defining what 'successful' facebook page would mean for your business i.e. what are your key performance indicators e.g. number of fans, post reach, engagement, etc. Once you are able to identify the KPI's that are important to your business then you'll be able to measure the 'success' and 'progress' of your page.
Also, don't make the mistake of puting your facebook page in a sort of silo but think of it as being 'a part' of your overall marketing strategy. Look at the big picture and determine what role you want facebook to play in that big picture.
If you want to grow your facebook community organically, then you need to realise that it's going to take a lot of time and commitment! To speed things up, you'll need to invest in facebook ads, competitions, sweepstakes, etc on a regular basis. To be honest, there's no way around it, you really need to spend some money from time to time on your facebook page to keep it going.
Unless your business is a Fortune 500, then please don't day dream about your content going viral because all those viral content that you see on facebook require huge human and financial resources that many small businesses simply can't afford. Hope that helps.
Nov 28, 2013
Always share relevant content not just viral content. First decide what your brand stands for and pick posts accordingly.
Try and stick to a schedule for updating and update at roughly the same time every time you post.
Always have a short compelling summary on your post. Don't just post pictures or directly share content without having a compelling "status" for the post.
Share the posts on your own page. A good way to ensure your posts are relevant are if you would share them on your own personal page.
Hope this helps.
Nov 27, 2013
Hi Colette
Here are some ideas you might want to consider while posting/updating your FB page:
- profile your target group well - who they are as people, what do they care about, what are they interested in, what are their biggest hopes and fears etc. There are lot of questionnaires available online, too, to help you in the profiling process. After you have set your target group well post only considering their needs and interests. The sharper the focus, the better the posts and outcome!
- be wise and rational yet emotsional at the same time. People tend to like more personal posts and statements, they're not that into some "official business talk". It does not mean you need to share tears over your dead pet or something but expressions like "we really love this idea..." etc could help.
- release your fear of people not liking your page/ desire to be liked by everyone. There will always be people who are not able to connect with you or the ideas that you share. Accept it and let them be. The more you let go of your doubts the more you will attract followers and clients who are really in harmony with who you are and what you do!
Cheers!
Eva
Nov 27, 2013
Well, from my point of view you are kind of wasting your time. Before trying to use FB for your company needs, you should think what your business is all about and if FB users fit your client area. So you should know their data, at a general level. Then you can consider if it is worth to input any effort in it.
Of course, all other rules described previously apply, but only after you reach a rational conclusion that FB is right for nyou and your business.
Nov 27, 2013
Share your posts to other like-minded individuals and ask them to share the post to their connections.
Invite people from your personal profile page to like your fan page.
Join a site like hootsuite to update all of your social media sites at one time.
Nov 27, 2013
Hi Colette:
Don't get discouraged, it does take time to build your community on Facebook. You probably be posting at least once per week. One way is to ask your fans for their opinions on your product. Also you may want to hold a contest to increase your likes. The keys to a great contest are: Get your followers to 'like' and 'share' your post and then pose a question they have to answer to have a chance to win, ie. which of our xxxxx products do you like best. You can boost your post, after its posted (paid) but this is very inexpensive to do, for 1,000+ sponsored posts costs are approx. $5.00. Always keep the contest short, tell your fans when you are going to announce the winner, remind the fans 2 days before contest ends and finally announce the winner. Another method is blog on your website and then share your blog on your Facebook Company page. This will help your fans reference your website and help the search engines find your site. If you want some other ideas, check out my blog
http://xlconsultinggroup.com/category/facebook-for-business-2/
Hope this helps.
Nov 27, 2013
How do you define "progress?" What is your strategy? Are you linking your FB page to your website and to other social media? Is your business one in which you believe that once a customer tries your product, he/she will be smitten? Finally, what is your timetable for seeing the results you want? These are just a few questions you should consider as you use FB for business.
Nov 25, 2013
- Join relevant groups for the topics you're posting
- Keep a short summary in the beginning of your post that correctly illustrates what you're posting about (you can elaborate later on, people get thousands of posts a day don't have time to read all of it).
- Put links of those posts in the relevant groups.
- Try to ask for feedback on you're topics in the groups, not your friends, they will always be nice to you, when you need the harsh truth. People in the groups will give you such feedback.
- Try and find relevant groups for your subjects that are not overcrowded otherwise your post will be just one more.
- Try to keep the noise in your page low, and a clean and attractive theme.
These would be my suggestions. hope it helps a bit.