Small businesses, start-ups and franchises are all monetizing Facebook pages, but you can’t figure out how to do it yourself.

As we all know, Facebook allows users to create content for those visitors who have yet to click “Like”.

This feature requires a call to action to get users to interact (Like) with your Fan Page.

BUT, it can be tricky planning out how you want to entice those users to enter the Facebook Fan Gate to your Fan Page. Below are some basic examples of techniques used to protect that precious content from being accessed by non-fans (soon-to-be fans, we should say).

Facebook Fan Gate: Open Sesame

1. Keep ’em guessing

Don’t show them anything at all! Make them want to click “Like” by blurring the real stuff. The “hint, hint” on the fan gate is hard to ignore, because you really have no clue what you’re getting yourself into.

http://facebook.com/RedBull

 2. Discount

Who doesn’t like saving money? No one I know! Be sure you have read through Facebook’s contest policies to make sure you’re in the clear.

https://www.facebook.com/WorldQuestOrlando

3.  Exclusive Content

Entice users with exclusive content (coupons, deals, videos etc.) you worked so hard to make available. Do this and you’ll earn a “Like” just for having it – they haven’t even seen it yet!

https://www.facebook.com/ryankristafer

4. Sweep Stakes

Who doesn’t want the chance to win free stuff? Slap “Free” on your Facebook fan gate and users will “Like” it.

https://www.facebook.com/jacklinksbeefjerky

5.  All of the above

Any combination of these techniques will work just fine. Convince future Fans that you have what they want and they will return the favor.

https://www.facebook.com/VerizonFiOS

Your Turn

If you’ve got any additional ideas on how to give Fans something special, or want to shamelessly show off your new Facebook Fan Gate – share below!

Meet Jim Risner