How Page “Likes” Can Generate More Business Love
The Power of Social Media for Small Businesses
If cover photos are the new billboards and posts are the new flyers, then social media for a business is a great modern promotional platform for engaging with a wide audience for the least amount of cost. Think of it as your colorful posters around town and your yellow page in the telephone book all rolled into one.
According to CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, the average US consumer spends 40 minutes on Facebook per day. A business Facebook page should represent a business in the best way possible.
As an avid social media observer and participant, I have composed a list of details that I personally enjoy seeing in a profile. Here are a few small and easy tricks and approaches that you can use to make your business page accessible and adept for consumers.
- Display Eye-Catching Photos:
The number one thing I love seeing and the first thing I look at when viewing a Facebook business page is photos. I want to see pictures of people, events, or merchandise sold, and I love seeing what the actual business looks like; from the building’s front façade, the interior layout, or any unique décor or themes. I need a quick glimpse at what exactly the business offers and its atmosphere to encourage why I should visit. Relevant videos are also a great addition.
- List Contact Info:
It’s important that all contact information is listed in the “About” section. If I’m looking up a business, it’s usually for one of four reason; either I need to know the address, the phone number, the hours it’s open, or I want a copy of the menu (if it’s a restaurant or bar). Any other external websites for the business should also be listed.
- Active Posts:
To me, posts for businesses are like little colorful flyers that pop-up in my newsfeed. Posts are great for reminding viewers of upcoming promotions and events. A social media page needs to be updated often. The most important aspect of your business page is that it interacts with viewers. Try to post once per week and an additional one for each separate event or promotion occurring to boost your social media presence.
- Upcoming Events:
I love finding new upcoming “Events” By being able to click “interested” or “going”, I can easily receive updates, details, and a reminder the day of the event. I can also see who from my friends list is interested or attending.
- Ratings and Comments:
Ratings and comments open a dialogue with the customers and allows for a business owner to receive direct feedback. I like to read about other people’s experiences and their opinions. If people are raving about a particular business, it only intrigues me more as to find out what all of the buzz is about. The comments section also allows business owners to address negative feedback from customers
Make sure to tell everyone you have a Facebook page! Tell customers about it face-to-face and encourage them to “like” it as a great way to stay informed.
The best approach to managing your social media accounts, is to experiment with different techniques. There are numerous social media sites and some platforms may serve one business better than another. Just remember to have fun, be creative, and connect with your viewers. This is the best way to ensure that “likes” from your page equate more buzz for your business.
Niki Folk
Intern, FrostburgFirst
Disclaimer: Images made available through free images search and Creative Commons.
