Social Media Marketing for Business

The following Facebook tips are pretty straightforward and easy to follow. It amazes me to still see businesses get it wrong! This is not just for the newbies; I’m seeing well established brands and businesses make these mistakes as well.

So here’s a recap of what every Facebook Business Page owner should know to avoid looking like a fool.

1. Know the Difference

Facebook profiles are for personal use, not for business. This is where you share pictures of your

kids and connect with your family and friends. It’s okay to network with people using your personal profile, but you can’t conduct business. Remember that personal profiles represent individual

A Facebook Business Page have many specific benefits:

• Pages are public so anyone can read and follow your posts
• You can install apps and tabs on your Page
• You can run ads for your Page
• You can run contests and promotions
• You have Facebook Page Insights which helps you see how your Page is performing
• You can have several people managing a Page with different roles assigned to them

Additionally, Facebook’s terms doesn’t allow for you to conduct business on a personal profile. Beware that Facebook has been known to shut down accounts without notice.

2. Make It Easy to Share Your Page

Customizing your Page web address will make it much easier to share your Facebook Business Page in your marketing communications, website and business cards. You can only change it once so make sure that you’re careful and think long term about this. You can change your URL herehttps://www.facebook.com/username.

Here’s an example of the difference between the two:

Default URL: www.facebook.com/pages/vasimpleservices/177767078381

Custom URL: www.facebook.com/vasimpleservices

Remember that if you change your Page URL address, you’ll probably have to go change it everywhere else on the web, including your website, so that you don’t get broken links.

Bonus Tip: To make it even shorter, you can also use www.fb.com/vasimpleservices (use FB instead of Facebook) to share your Page after you’ve set your custom URL.

3. Don’t Make Me Work 

Make sure to fill out the “About” section properly, including a link to your website. Please tell me in one sentence what your Page is all about; don’t make me look around or click on anything to figure it out! Most people never click on the About box to get additional information.

If your About section on your Page doesn’t allow you to add a proper business description (this will depend on the Page category you originally picked), make sure your cover image tells your story.

Just keep in mind the Facebook rules on covers which allows for no more than 20% text.

4. Use the Proper Picture Size

If you don’t use the proper image size for your cover image and profile picture, the quality usually will look bad. Make the first impression count and pick good quality graphics! You may get a higher quality result by using a PNG file.

Cover image size: 851×315 pixels

Profile Picture size: 180×180 pixels (displays at 160×160)

5. Know the Rules

Running contests and promotions require that you follow some rules. There are Facebook terms that you must follow but also laws that you must respect. Playing the “I didn’t know” game usually doesn’t work and it’s your responsibility to keep up with the rules.

6. Not All Your Fans See Your Posts

Even when someone Likes your Facebook Business Page, it doesn’t mean that they will see your posts. Actually, depending on which type of post you’re using, probably less than 16% of your fans will see your content.

This is due to the Facebook algorithm formula called EdgeRank which is used to control the amount of content people see in their newsfeed.

If you want more people to see your posts, you have to get your audience to engage with your content (like, comment and share) which will help increase your Edgerank. As well, you always have the option to pay to promote your posts.

7. Post as Your Page

When posting on your Page, it’s best to post “as your Page” and not as yourself. When you post on your Page using your personal profile, your posts end up in the box on the right called “Recent Posts by Others” which is only seen if you go on your Page directly and your fans will not get your updates in their own newsfeed.

Remember, less than 2% of people who Liked your Facebook Business Page will ever return to your Page after Liking it. Most of your fans will consume your content directly in their newsfeed and not on your Facebook Business Page.

8. Be Relevant

If I’m going to follow your business on Facebook, I want to see posts related to your business. If you’re a website designer, why are you constantly posting inspirational quotes?

Try to stay focused and don’t stray too far off your main business topic or you’ll confuse your audience.

9. Spam is Bad

Don’t Spam! Really, this seems pretty obvious but I see it all the time! I consider it spam when I continually see your sales messages in my newsfeed.

Try applying the 80/20 rule: 80% of your content should provide value and less than 20% of your posts should be promoting your products or services.

Some of the biggest offenders I see are people in the Real Estate industry who often post 100% of their content about their home listings.

10. Don’t Go MIA

Being consistent is the key with your Facebook marketing.  Avoid falling off the map for a long period of time. Remember, out of sight…out of mind!

If you know that you‘ll be away or have a really busy day or week, use the Facebook scheduling tool to plan your posts ahead of time which will help you avoid going MIA (missing in action).

Facebook marketing is not rocket science but you have to keep on top of the changes and know the basic rules to avoid making mistakes. How do you keep on top of it?

Meet Genevieve Lachance

About the Author >> Some would say that I'm a little obsessed about technology, the web & social media! I would say that I'm more "passionate" about maintaining the pulse on the newest trends and tools. In my everyday life, I help entrepreneurs optimize their business by using technology and leveraging the internet.

Original Article >> Top 10 Must Read Tips to Run a Successful Facebook Business Page