Using Facebook Effectively as a Marketing Tool

Facebook as an Effective Marketing Tool

While many people believe that Facebook is beginning to fade and other social networks are retaking the throne, quite the opposite is true. Facebook utilization has only increased since its release in 2005. No one truly thought that Facebook would succeed in the ways that it did – but it truly has become an anomaly for Facebook to reach its current status.

The Story behind Facebook

Facebook begun as a social network between two Harvard roommates and friends in 2005 that quickly drew the attention of musicians and other business professionals looking to create a connection. However, over the years, people began to use Facebook as a way to interact with family and friends. Connections were more personal than business-related.

While many users still utilize their Facebook for personal reasons, businesses are beginning to catch onto the success wave.

In June of 2013, Facebook closed its quarter with 1.15 billion users with 669 million users monthly and 819 million mobile users.

Facebook is currently the largest social network, beating the second largest by almost twice the number of users overall.

Creating a Business Page

Creating a business page is simply and it will be necessary for you to understand the process in order to get your company started.

Go to Facebook and begin as a new user. When creating the page ensure that you create a business page, which allows people to "Like" your business page opposed to sending friend requests.

Ensure to fill out all the information, especially business hours if you have a store that runs by hours. This helps notify people of your hours just by visiting your Facebook page.

Create Ads on Facebook

Reaching your targeted audience takes gradual progression – meaning it takes time to reach out and get additional members to like your page. However, by creating advertisements on Facebook through your business page, you can reach out to people more quickly.

When designing an ad, remember the following:

• Ensure text for the ad explains what services, offers, discounts or products you offer.
• Use a good quality 100 x 72 quality photo.
• Choose the correct audience selection. Broader categories allow for you to reach a broader range of people.
• If campaigning, select your campaign name, date and budget.
• Double check the advertisement prior to submitting it to ensure that there are no inaccuracies.
• After completion, submit your ad and await a 24-hour time window for Facebook to review and accept or deny it.

Tip: When creating ads for the first time, make multiple versions of the ad and change around certain information such as targeted audience, pictures and wording. Test which ad works best so future ad making helps with audience optimization.

One thing Facebook does do well is helping you find your target audience to post the ads on their pages. For example, if you are a car parts company, you’re going to want to attract people who have an interest in cars. If someone Googles “2004 Parts” you are going to want your ads to be shown to them if you’re a big seller of those parts. Targeting your audience is one of the most important rules in marketing and Facebook understands that.

Engage with Users

Quality posts will help any business page not only keep current audience members, but will also help attract new ones.

As a business, it is important to remember the follow tips for engaging with your users:

• Always ensure posts are relevant to your business.
• Be friendly and conversational with your posts to promote interactions.
• Ask your followers questions and see how they respond.
• Post photos and videos often to show that you are interactive.
• Gives access to promotions and specials on your page to show that being a follower has its benefits.

Above all else, just ensure to keep a conversational tone. Never cause unwarranted or unnecessary conflict unless it directly relates to your business as a marketing strategy.

Marketing More Effectively with Facebook

Beyond making a page and utilizing the tools directly correlated on the Facebook webpage, there are methods that can be utilized to market your Facebook better using other methods and strategies.

Place a social media icon on your business website informing people that your company that you have a Facebook. Bringing on already active users will help grow your page more quickly, meaning more people will see your page from their pages.

Place social media's in your email signature. As a business professional, you are probably always exchanging emails with customers and business partners. Signatures are a great way to reach an additional audience.

Send out a blast email about your new social network, preferably between Monday and Wednesday mornings. Morning times have the best conversions.

Promote your Facebook in-store, which will help you reach a larger, more organic growth on Facebook. Use business cards, windows, walls, doors and packaging to promote your business Facebook.

Schedule your posts ahead of time. When engaging users, you need daily updates and content to show your audience that you are active. User the scheduler to schedule posts when you believe your audience is most active.

Marketing on Facebook can be a task, but once you understand the dynamics, it can be easy figuring out what you have to do in order to gain a larger following.

Courtney Gordner is a blogger with a passion for all things internet, social media, and SEO! Read more on her own blog, www.talkviral.com