Over 1 billion people are active on Facebook. (source). It is now the most popular social media platform in the world. Everywhere you go, you’ll find people checking Facebook on their mobiles. They will interrupt conversations with you to check their status or sit playing Facebook games in waiting rooms or classrooms. They’ll stop to use check-in apps, so their Facebook friends will know where they are now… or check out YouTube videos – and share them – directly from Facebook. If you’re not making the most of Facebook’s power to help you with branding and establishing yourself as an expert, you’re turning your back on one of the easiest ways to grow your business. You may already have a Facebook Page. You probably think you optimized it as well as you can. Take a minute to check your page to be sure it is all that it can be.
Activity is number one priority. If you aren’t constantly monitoring and responding to commenters, answering questions or providing a variety of new feeds, your page will not light up and come alive. Creating a Facebook Page and not taking it out daily is like firing up the ignition on your car but forgetting to put in the gas. Making your client or customer feel special is what it’s all about.
Don’t just post one type of content, instead provide varied, media-rich interactions. Experiment with several types of content and see what your audience loves best. Is it photos, videos, polls, or contests? Try them all and make note of the response.
See those tabs underneath your Facebook Page header? They are ready for some apps. If you haven’t replaced them with at least some the following, you are sabotaging your own Facebook Page:
· Events
· Sign up
· Sample chapter
· Free gift
· Contest
· Coupon
· Special offer
· Webinar
· Podcast
Your “Photos” tab is immovable, but you can replace the other default App tabs with tabs of your choice – so make the most of this ability!
Brand your business by using your logo as your profile photo on your page or in your cover photo. If you’re branding yourself (e.g. you’re a coach) use a profile photo that reflects who you are when wearing your coach hat. If you’re branding a product, consider using a photo of that product, if your cover photo is different.
Create a customized cover photo. You are now allowed 20% text in your cover photos (header backgrounds) so put this to good use. Include a call to action, or call attention to an event. Use your tagline if it’s especially catchy. Be creative! But make sure your actual photo relates well to your main business message.
Make good use of your about section. What you can enter here is dictated somewhat by the category you chose when setting up your page, but again, think how you can make the most of this section. Include links or taglines or hit your audience between the eyes with arresting information or an incredibly relevant comment.
Don’t take any section of your Facebook Page for granted, but instead ask yourself on every element: “Is this section completely relevant to my main Facebook Page message? Can I remove, move or replace it?” Check out all the Apps available for Facebook Pages and make sure you install your most effective and relevant ones (i.e. Apps your audience will appreciate – and respond to). Now that you know the basics of setting up a good Facebook Page, review yours and see where it can be improved.
