FaceBOOK Clients today! Post 2 of 2

My last post described what Facebook is and how it can be used to promote yourself and your business. It really is considered to be one, if not THE, social media marketing tool. Don’t forget to take advantage of every nook and cranny Facebook offers you to promote yourself! That includes the prime real estate located right below your photo on the left hand side of your profile page (see picture)!

Facebook is used by millions of people from across the globe. Yes millions of people who can view your profile and learn about your business! Especially at a time when the economy is in a time of upheaval, what better way to save the funds (or lack thereof) currently sitting in your marketing budget, and effectively market yourself for free!

Once you have created your profile, as was discussed in the previous post, it’s time to explore what else Facebook can offer you and your business.

Create a Fan Page

Create a business fan page to attract potential clients. Creating a Facebook page is easy and free. Under the Advertising link, you will see the option to create a page. Decide on the look and feel for your page and include all information and photos you wish to share with your ‘page fans’. Be sure to include you business logo, contact information and services or products your business offers.

Once your page is created, you have the option to add discussion boards, upcoming events, and photos, and allow fans to share reviews. If you wish, edit your page to restrict access to certain countries, people of a certain age, and the published status. After your page has been published, you will have access to data collected by Facebook in regards to page views, number of fans, discussion topics and reviews. You can then take this data to improve your business marketing plan by linking it to your website, encourage friends to join and encourage friends of friends to join!

Create a Group

Create a group by clicking on your application settings. Creating a group is much like creating a fan page. You can promote current events, hold discussions and share information about your business. With a group, you can invite friends from your contact list and even friends from your email address book.

 While a fan page and a group are very similar, there are some key differences to keep in mind:

• A fan page will track visitor stats
• A group will allow you to create an event, while a page allows you to post an event
• A fan page will allow you to post blogs, notes and other applications
• A group is only visible to the people you invite while a fan page is public
• A fan page allows you to advertise while a group does not

Advertise on Facebook

Advertising on Facebook is easy and will reach thousands, if not millions of people. Working similar to the pay per click advertisements available through Google, Facebook allows you to create a simple ad and pay only for the clicks received. You have the power to pay as much or as little as you wish.

You can decide who your target market will be, whether you would like your ad to reach an entire country or demographic. Once your ad is published, you can then track its progress and modify to increase traffic.

Advertising your business on facebook has many benefits, however some are reluctant to enter the social media world due to privacy concerns. Whether you are concerned about predators, stalkers or marketing schemes, Mari Smith’s Ebook “I’m on Facebook”, provides some valuable information and tips to keep in mind when it comes to Facebook privacy.

Facebook is a private tool, allowing you to hold the power to choose who views your profile and who doesn’t. When all privacy is set, only your friends will be able to see your information. Keep in mind as well, that all information and photos you wish to post is at your own discretion. Yes your limited profile can be accessed through search engines; however you may edit your settings and turn off the search feature through the “edit settings” feature.

Yes Facebook can allow people, including unwanted participants, to view your information online. However, the reality is that you risk sharing your information with anyone in the World Wide Web. Keep private information private, and share only what you wish others to view.