FaceBook is a social media site.
What is Social Media?
Social media essentially is a category of online media where people are talking, participating, sharing, networking, and bookmarking online. Most social media services encourage discussion, feedback, voting, comments, and sharing of information from all interested parties.
It’s more of a two-way conversation, rather than a one-way broadcast like traditional media. Another unique aspect of social media is the idea of staying connected or linked to other sites, resources, and people. – Ron Jones, SearchEngineWatch.com
Why do you care?
FaceBook is the internet’s number one most visited website, exceeding Google Search. It’s rapid growth is explosive. Started in 2004 in a dorm room at Harvard, it was a way for a group of college kids to interact. Today, FaceBook is the definition of how customers are interacting with companies. It’s real time, and social. Companies can no longer dismiss it as just another time suck! Yes, I did say that 
Let’s face it, we all want results without wasting our time. How would you like to grow your business like this?
FaceBook allows people to connect with friends and associates on a professional and personal level.
On a personal level, you create a profile for all to see for the purposes of:
- sharing with family and friends*
- with members of special interest groups
(small business owners, religious, hobby, sports, political, etc.)
This information can be shared with a select group of friends or everyone who stumbles upon your profile.
On a professional level, FaceBook is used to promote your company. Through advertisements, company updates, photos of your work and ongoing conversations to your connected fans.** Most importantly, it’s a tool to drive visitors to your company’s website.
3 Major Componets of FaceBook
Personal Profile – Your FaceBook Account
Groups - Network of like minded individuals sharing a common interest
Pages – Your company’s profile.
Implementation
- Setup a FaceBook account
- Personal email and password
- Add a photo of yourself
- A brief bio
- Add info about where you went to school, your work, hobbies, etc.
- Do you want to share this information publically or privately?
- Do you want to be updated via email, text messaging, or when you are online?
- Send out invites to people in your address book.
- Setup a FaceBook Page
- Create a business profile complete with logos, photos, contact information, etc.
- Invite all who will help you to spread the word about your company.
- Invite customers and associates to interact with your company by offering special discounts, event invitations, cross promotions, etc.
Cross promotions – is a non traditional approach to expanding your company’s reach. As an example, let’s say you have a favorite hair salon or barber you frequent. Tell your friends and colleagues about their wonderful service. In turn, they will do the same.
- Connect with Groups
- Join other groups, this can be both professional and personal. Note: This is not necessary to get started.
Conclusion
It’s time to embrace social media as a means to gain credibility and authority for you and your business. With active participation, you will be able to promote your company and gain new customers. Additionally, you will be able to increase your sales to existing customers by offering additional products and services that they might be aware you offer. Lastly, you will be able to expand your network to industries and other companies who’s customers would benefit from your products and services.
WARNING: Don’t let this scare you, by thinking it will take time away from your busy schedule. There are tools available to integrate with your company’s website and cell phone to make this as painless and non-techie as possible.
FaceBook is a necessary ingredient to business survival. Having a business website will not get you customers without promotion.
This is the second part of an ongoing series Website Traffic – How to Get More Customers for Small Business Owners. We will be discussing some of the key factors in driving traffic to your company’s website. Included in all of the articles are FREE downloads of tools, checklists and other resources.
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