Facebook is a beast! It’s also one of the harder platforms to stand out on. Their mission is to allow their users to build community and bring the world closer together. Facebook users stay connected with friends, family and brands to discover what’s going on in the universe. Their platform allows us to share and express what matters most and to stay in the loop with brands and people we love – be it your local coffee shop, your aunt or your bestie who is traveling around Thailand.
Let’s zero in on using Facebook as a business or brand. I’m breaking down the do’s and the don’ts that will help you grow, tap new audiences and enjoy using Facebook for your business. After all, on average about 1.60 billion people log onto Facebook daily and are active users.
Things to do
- Update the information on your page
Keep your location and contact up to date! It’s important that you’re using the correct business name and that you have your current branding in use. Consistency is key. Don’t be afraid to use the same profile/display photo that you use on Instagram on Facebook too. - Quality check your content
Are you adding value with the content you’ve shared? Zero in on your target audience and think about your business. Who really is interested in your brand. Think beyond only your product or service but you’re overall mission and brand position. - Post often
Keep your page up to date! If you haven’t posted in months, people might wonder if you’re still in business. By posting often, you’re keeping yourself first of mind and you’re more likely to grow on the platform than someone who only posts when there are holidays or sales. - Strategically engage with other users
Leave a comment and like posts as your business page! It creates an opportunity for people to click through to your page and see what you’re all about. - Join groups
There are so many different types of groups. Groups for specific dog breeds, lifestyles, geographical locations and interests! Scour Facebook Groups and see what groups you could join and engage with new audiences that might be interested in you. Groups are also a great place to share your content to – but be sure to look into the group rules before you post. - Pay for ads and boosted posts
This one is a no-brainer. Facebook doesn’t show everyone your content, they want you to pay for that reach. Allocate a small budget monthly for boosting posts and for running ads. You can really target your audience and a little bit of ad budget will ensure your posts are being seen.
Things to not do
- “Post and Ghost”
Don’t post and not check for comments. We are so used to getting answers NOW. If you’re scheduling your content in advance, be sure to check for comments or questions when you can. - Post, just to post
This ties into your content. Don’t share crappy, dark photos. Don’t share video that is painful to watch or content that might cheapen your brand. Not only is someone likely to skip by that post; telling the algorithm they really didn’t care for your content but they might even unlike your page. - Stay vertical
Don’t only engage with people you follow and that follow you. Put yourself out there while engaging. Try new locations, new audiences and get social! - Share too much personal on your business page
I get asked often, how much of my personal should I share? Honestly, it depends on your business! If you are your business, share more! But if you’re a lawyer, don’t treat your business page like a scrapbook of memories. - Cross share from Instagram
While it might be easier to hit the button that posts to both Facebook and Instagram at once, it’s not the best plan. If you’re strapped for time, or need to once and a while – sure. But it’s key to try different captions and you’ll see better reach if you post that manually. - Share the same type of content
Here I am talking about trying different sorts of content. If you share a lot of photos, try sharing an article once in a while. Maybe even post a video. For content tips, read this blog I wrote on Content tips for growing your following + engagement
Facebook is a beast and your clients are using it. Hopefully, this information helps you ramp up your presence on Facebook! If you don’t have the time in your day to do a good job on Facebook, consider the value it brings to your business and if getting support on social media is something you need, consider hiring a pro!
