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Business Connections
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SPRING 2017
7
I
f you’ve used Facebook to connect with old friends, share news, or post photos
of your kids, you already have some idea of how it can be used to promote your
business. The functions that you use within your Facebook Profile can also be used
within a Facebook Page, the “home base” from which many companies build relation-
ships with customers and promote products and services.
Using Facebook for business can be a smart move for several reasons: (1) it includes pow-
erful tools to spread your brand and expand your online presence, (2) it’s widely used
and viral by nature, (3) your target market is easy to find, and (4) it’s free.
Here’s how Facebook Profile functions translate to Facebook Pages:
Home Page and Feed.
When you create a Facebook Page for your business, you
will be the administrator of that Page, but the home page and feed that you normally
see will still be visible when you log in.
Posting on the Timeline.
Just like each Facebook Profile, each Page has a Timeline.
You can post updates to the Timeline, and anyone who expresses an interest in your
Page (by clicking “Like”) can also contribute. When an update is posted, anyone can
“Like,” “Comment,” or “Share.”
Advertising.
Ever notice how the ads you see on Facebook match the interests you’ve
mentioned on your Profile? Facebook ads are designed to reach users who have listed
keywords specified by the companies that place the ads. You can use this feature to your
advantage when your business is the one placing the ad.
Applications.
Awide variety of Facebook business apps make it possible to add
custom tabs, capture contact information, conduct ecommerce, start polls, stream live
video, collect testimonials, and more.
Getting started takes only minutes. Access the “Facebook Pages” section of the help
function, and follow the directions from there.
MAKE THE MOST OF
YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE
Just having a business presence on Face-
book isn’t enough. You need to know
how to make the most of it. Here are
some tips for doing so:
• Facebook isn’t a shopping site; it’s
a promotional site. While you can
point viewers to your products, it’s
not really the place for a hard sell.
Instead, use it to build community,
and let people get to know you.
• As with all social media sites, your
promotional success will depend
on your content. Be sure to provide
content that is valuable to your online
community.
• Make it worthwhile to be part of your
Facebook community by posting items
and special offers not found on your
blog, website, or Instagram or Twitter
accounts.
• Find a good pace that allows you to
update your Page consistently without
overwhelming your viewers’ feeds.
• When someone comments, comment
back, especially if it’s a complaint.
Means
Business
A Facebook Page can be a new
chapter in your marketing