How to Kickstart Your Facebook Page

A Facebook page enables you to do two things that are essential for any business. Firstly, it lets you spread the word about your product or services. And secondly, it makes it possible to have an ongoing conversation with your target audience, hear what they have to say and respond right away.

If you are starting out your business’ Facebook page, follow these 5 tips to kickstart it.

1. Set up your page

Go to the Facebook create page and get started. Have a look at the main categories of the pages and decide which one is the best match for your business. Choose a main category and click that box, then browse through the categories in the drop-down menu to see which resonates well with your business.

Next, go through the setup process and choose a profile photo. Since it’s a business page, it is best to place your company logo so that people will recognise it and become familiar with your brand.

About section

The first 155 characters on this section are viewable from the top of your Facebook page, which means whatever message you place there will be highly visible. The content should be clear, interesting and keyword rich.

When you write it, focus on describing what your business offers and what makes it unique. Also, don’t forget to place a link to your website or other relevant links.

Cover photo

The most fun part of setting up a Facebook page is creating a cover photo that’s right for your business. Don’t underestimate the importance of creating a good cover photo – its size and location makes it your page’s prime real estate. Make sure your cover photos emphasises your messaging and draws people in.

2. Get your first 100 fans

A Facebook page without fans is like an empty theatre. Before you call out for the actors to come on stage, make sure some of the seats are filled, to give the place a livelier and welcoming feeling. So don’t invite your clients first. Instead, start with the warmer crowd. Send notifications via Facebook to your friends and family, people who know you well and would be happy to support you and your business.

Once this inner circle has liked your page, their friends will be able to see it as well and this alone could send more fans and clients your way. You can also do this by sending out a friendly email message describing what the page is about and what type of content you’ll be posting. Using these methods, you should be able to make it to the first 100 fans in no time, giving your Facebook page a better look.

3. Promote your page on other channels

As a Facebook page grows, there are endless options for tying in the rest of your online strategy to extend your overall online presence. Once the first 100 fans have liked your Facebook page and you’ve started posting updates to keep the page active, it’s time to charge onward.

Email campaign

Create an email campaign to tell clients about your new Facebook page, where they can keep in touch and get updated on interesting news.

Email marketing services are a fabulous way to keep organised and get actual information on the success rate of your campaign, including figures for the number of people who opened, clicked or even unsubscribed from your mailing list.

Facebook ads

This form of online advertising can definitely enhance your Facebook presence, when done right. There are different types of advertisements to test and you can promote anything from your Facebook posts to your website. 

4. Networking

It’s important to remember that Facebook is less about promoting products and more about creating conversation with potential clients. To get more business action to come your way, you need to help your Facebook page get noticed beyond your immediate circles. As you get started, it means you may need to set out and find your potential fans rather than wait for them to come to you.

One way to do that is by visiting other Facebook pages, where your target audience might be and get involved in the conversation there. This tactic must be performed gently and respectfully, as to avoid anything that may be perceived as spam.

When in doubt, you can privately contact the owner of the page and ask for their permission. This is also a smart move for building a new connection and even networking or running joint promotions.

5. Connect your website with Facebook

An engaging and well-managed Facebook page can do wonders to a business’ overall marketing efforts.

The next thing to do is to use your website to enhance your Facebook presence and vice versa. Connect the two platforms together and enable your clients and fans to have a smooth user experience as they visit your site.

Facebook comments

Add a Facebook comments box directly on your website and enable your website visitors to comment using their Facebook profile. Friends of your visitors who comment will see your website details on their Facebook feeds!

Facebook like

Where people can like and comment on your site.

Social bar

Connect visitors to all your social networks instantly and make sure you meet them in other online places where you are active.

SOURCE: Wix