10 things to do with a Facebook Page
On Twitter, Chris Brogan recently wondered what a brand might do with a Facebook page. Chances are good a bunch of people are writing one of these lists. Because this is the funny thing: Facebook pages are free and easy to put up (I’ve put up 4).
But that doesn’t mean they will work.
Image via WikipediaBefore you even look at this list, consider having a goal. Also, be honest about your brand. Is your brand really the kind of thing people want to be fans of? If it is, then think about someone who identifies as a fan; what would you offer them? What do they want?
But back to the original question: what good could come from a Facebook page? Here’s a list of ten things.
10. SEO. Facebook is now in the results of Google. Thus, a search for a brand could pull brandsite.com, a Wikipedia page, and a Facebook page. Depending on traffic.
9. Recruitment. A fan of a brand might be self-selecting as the perfect person to work there.
8. Does your brand have a famous spokesperson? That person could enter a discussion on the page. If they don’t, the CEO could come in. Or someone else high up. Engaging with higher-ups is very fan like.
7. Give away stuff. If you have things you give away at events/tradeshows, offer it to Fans. In the right context, the hat or pen is worth a little more and still costs the same.
6. Coupons/free product. No strings attached freebies as a thank you for being a fan. This lays the ground work for the next one.
5. Focus group/product tester. Don’t do this right away, because it’s a little salesy and self-serving. Instead, create the expectation of free stuff, then ask people what they think. Keep it optional, conversational, and chances are good that some fans will play along.
4. A place to showcase events. The Facebook events application is, according to them, the most popular on the web. It also has this thing called auto-tagging, which would help sync user photos to events you invited them to. Really.
3. A contest hub. Your best customers should get the best contests. This is a good place to thank people for being fans by letting them play in the best contests.
2. A place to engage with fans. This won’t happen right away, but if you give fans a reason to come back (using this list or other ideas), then it’s more likely that people will engage with the brand. Respond, and it’s more likely that engagement will continue.
1. Insider information. People who ‘fan’ a page in Facebook are literally that — fans. If the brand makes TV spots, then they should make a behind the scenes look at the spot. They might be able to see the ideas that didn’t make it to print. This could also be a good place to bring back favorites from years back. Add content that only they can see and you will make it worth while to fan the page.
Good luck.
Good post. Brogan pointed me over here. I am currently selling my house the “Social Media Way” and here is what I am using the fan pages for: http://capitalgig.com/2008/08/02/while-in-austin-i-met-a-house/
Came to this post through the front page at WordPress. Great article, I use lots of web 2.0 functions, but I feel that there are hidden depths of Facebook as yet untapped – thanks for uncovering some of the mystery!
Davidneff, thanks for popping in. Selling your house is an excellent way to use Facebook pages. Especially if you have a huge network.
Anyway, I think someone should do a post about Brogan’s attention. That guy is an influencer. Anyway, the founder of Facebook said: Communities already exist online. Instead of trying to create them, think about what they want. (no quotes because it’s not right on).
katesaltfleet, I agree with the potential. We used a Facebook page to update entrants in a promotion for an apparel brand. I think we can use Facebook pages to connect like-minded people.
So are we advocating the potential birth of a challenger to EBay? Or creating the ultimate testing ground in creating brand awareness with the $$$
I think the latter. I think if you begin to see people who become ‘fans’ as people who want to talk about your brand, and engage with your brand, then you’ll win. If you think it’s another channel to sell stuff, you might not.
“..another channel to sell stuff..” that is exactly what the business world needs to here. The question many have been unable to answer, you have a captive audience, what are you going to do with them?
MySpace showed how to build the bridge, bands figured that out over-night. Applying a similar direction to other networks has been slow coming. Mainly because the users are just following the direction of the “Host”. Some of the greatest means of promotion or branding were developed by accident or an active market place. Your so right it is a channel….
I enjoyed this post, but am curious to hear what you have to say about the benefits of Facebook for smaller businesses who are not “brands” but are looking to enter the social mediasphere and increase their online presence…
I sell real estate in Canada and we use our Facebook page to post new listings, financing information about mortgage rates etc and it helps us market with other agents, brokerages and of course clients.
Some may argue that it is “unprofessional” to relate personal facebook type profiles with your profession but I disagree…as a professional I think it okay to appear “human”
It works really well for us, the people who comment on our new listings are the ones we need to have private conversations with regarding purchasing
nicely done, matt. even though this post is a couple of years old… the elements within remain spot on. love the comment about being honest about a business’ brand (and whether they really have one)
thanks for taking the time.
cheers,
//dave
http://www.daveworks.net
Dave, thanks for reading through the archives. I still wonder how brands can use Facebook. It’s a moving target.
the pleasure was mine, matt.
yep… moving targets. keeps us all on our toes!
onward and upward!
cheers
The facebook business pages is a big help if you’re planning to do business on a social network. Grass roots marketing is making a hit on social communities. Hope it lasts.
Great Article a lot of people don’t understand how important facebook is in marketing, and if they do understand this fact they don’t understand how to use it properly.
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