What a Facebook Fan Page Can Do for You

Commentary November 24, 2010 at 07:00 PM
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Social media is expanding exponentially throughout the online marketing world and offers a unique channel for producers to reach clients and prospects. With over 500 million users, there is no doubt a presence on Facebook can put your company in front of thousands of potential clients.

Unfortunately, Facebook profiles are for individuals only and not available for businesses or organizations. This is why a fan page is the perfect tool to market your business online. It gives you the ability to expand your social network, interact with your clients and customers, and promote your company. Having a Facebook fan page in addition to your profile is vital in enhancing your business's online reputation and presence.

If you are a business owner, you really need to set up a fan page or else you risk being left behind as more businesses shift to social networks. Facebook fan pages are different than profiles. You have a profile for you, John Smith, but your business can't have a profile — it can have a page. A page is a place to house all the pertinent information about your company. They're so useful because you can include everything that relates to your business in one place with a built-in potential audience as well as include links to your website and blog in order to expand your network.

There are numerous instruments you can work with while using a fan page:

  • Integrate videos
  • Share pictures
  • Create events
  • Start discussion posts
  • Send simultaneous messages to all
  • Run social ads
  • View your page statistics

Reviewing your page statistics and user analytics are crucial advantages in creating a fan page. You can view lots of useful data about user activity on your page, such as how many "likes" and comments you received each day and demographic breakdowns. This data can be useful in understanding the characteristics of your customer base and is not available to individual profiles.

Fan pages act as a powerful marketing strategy by giving the power to the fans. The trick is to establish a social platform, and then let them do the work for you. The platform becomes a digital forum where fans can connect, communicate and share based on your business and its objectives. They generate credibility not only with existing customers but also with potential customers as well by allowing the fans to showcase their user reviews and referrals in an open online arena.

Keys to a successful Facebook fan page include:

  • Active and daily fan page management
  • Promoting sales, specials and news
  • Engaging the user
  • Promoting brand awareness
  • Link to your blog
  • Let the fans do the work

Take advantage of the world's leading social media network and bring major exposure to your brand and business. Use Facebook fan pages to drive traffic to your website or blog, and then track your user analytics to find what works. The accessibility, centralization, ability to monitor and track, and the ease of promoting the reputation of your brand and business makes your Facebook fan page a crucial part of your social media marketing strategy. If you haven't already, please connect with us on Facebook by becoming a "fan" of Financial Social Media.

Amy McIlwain is the president of Financial Social Media Marketing, based in Denver. She can be reached at 800-837-6330×1 or [email protected].

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