Marketing Your Business on Facebook
Posted: November 11, 2010
You’ve already started your very own blog. The next step of your business’ social media strategy should be to customize your Facebook page.
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POMA facebook fanpage[/caption]You’ve already started your very own blog. The next step of your business’ social media strategy should be to customize your Facebook page.
Creating a “Fan” or “Business” page is fairly straightforward. You merely click the link at the bottom of the left column of any other business page that reads “Create a Page for My Business.” This will get you started with the basic tabs available: the Wall, Info, Photos, and Video. Now the fun begins.
To start, create an appropriate-sized image for the left column. Facebook does limit the size, and 200 by 600 is the largest one I’ve seen. You can set which page is the default landing page by clicking “Edit Page.” Then choose your default page under “Manage Permissions.”
Be sure to add a “Like” box to your website and blog. Put the URL of your page on all your printed materials and your e-mail signature (after you have 25 “likes,” you can get a vanity URL.) If you have the budget, place an ad on Facebook about your page.
Adding pizzazz to your page is easy, if you know what tools to use and where to find them. Search Facebook’s applications for anything that you find interesting. Go to the application’s page, and click the link to “add to my page.” Some are only available for your profile page (not a business page), so read the information about the application carefully. I scope out pages I like and copy what they’ve done.
If you know Facebook Markup Language (FBML), you probably wouldn’t be reading this. FBML is the code you can use to make your page extra special. Those of us who have not mastered FBML still can create a little pizzazz.
Many companies have a “Reveal” tab that the visitor sees first instead of the default “Wall” tab. These are usually a graphic that is used to market the product, a special, or encourage the visitor to click the “Like” button on the page. I have used two applications to create Reveal tabs with HTML: Static FBML and My Info: Welcome Tab.
Beyond a nice Welcome tab, I often have used the Extended Info application to add information about hours and prices. The easiest way to do fancy things is to use a service like North Social (for a monthly fee) to create tabs for maps, sign-up pages that will capture the visitors’ e-mails, or sweepstakes. I have found the fee well worth the time it saves.
Sweepstakes applications are important because of Facebook’s strict rules regarding contests on your Facebook page. If you use an application like Wildfire, they take on the responsibility of making sure your sweepstakes follow the rules.
You’ll also want to have a feed from your blog. There are several applications that allow you to publish an RSS feed from your blog as one of your tabs. Search for RSS applications and pick which one is best for you.
And there you have it. Fast, easy steps to customizing and energizing your business’ Facebook page.
Biz Tip Source: Talent Zoo
About the Author: Larissa Harris is a graphic designer, Web developer, and social media marketer. Read her blog, LarissaHarris.com; "like" her facebook page; or follow her on Twitter.