This week we are having a look at the do’s and don’ts of managing your Facebook business page. This follows from last week’s post about the difference between a Facebook page and Facebook Profile: https://collectivevaluecreation.co.za/facebook-page-vs-facebook-profile/
Make a good first impression:
The first and most important “do” is to make sure your page is complete. If someone lands on your page, you want to make sure you create a good first impression. Look at completing the “about” section, ensuring all of the relevant business details are available for your audience. You want to make sure you have an easily recognisable image, like your logo, as your profile picture. Use the over photo image on the top of your profile as an image that represents what you do.
Entice “likes”:
The only way to get noticed, and increase those likes, is by posting relevant content. Create compelling content that prompts people to like your page and comment on your posts. Content that is interesting or valuable to your Facebook followers, even if it has nothing to do with your company or products, is a great way to build trust and show you care about your customers.
Keep an eye on what you post:
Watch what you post, this is a representation of your business. The aim is to not stir up controversy by posting taboo content. Keep it professional. You want to develop a distant voice by using the tone of your company. Make sure you don’t have any grammar errors or misspelled words in your posts. The “Grammar Police” won’t forgive you! Proper grammar is a way to gain the respect of your fans. Also, leave the all caps and excessive exclamation points to a minimum. You want your posts to portray the same professionalism as your business.
Don’t post too much:
Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. There are so many social media specialists out there and each one of them will note something different. Posting content regularly is the key to keeping your followers engaged and showing up on their news feeds, but you don’t want to spam their pages. Spacing out your posts is a must. It’s okay to post a few times a day, but any more than three times per day might be a little too much. Don’t go crazy with the hashtags. Some studies show that Facebook posts without hashtags get the most engagement. On the other hand, your post will show up if someone searches for the hashtag you used. Bottom line: use them judiciously. Research suggests you should post once a day, with the optimum times being 1-4 p.m on weekdays and 1-2 p.m on weekends, but it all depends on the audience you are trying to reach, so try different things to see what works best for you.
Don’t use engagement-bait:
The last thing you want to do is scare away your followers. If they’re following your page, they are most likely looking to do business with you, so there’s no need to over promote. Some experts say to follow an 80/20 or 90/10 rule. This means that 80% (or 90%) of the content should be informative and industry related, while the other 20% (or 10%) is left to promote your products or services. You’re trying to create relationships, not annoy people with a sales pitch.
Interact With Your Fans:
Finally, the key is connecting with your followers. Don’t forget about them! It’s important to promptly reply to when they comment on posts or send you a message. It’s about showing you care and that you listen to what they have to say. If a serious issue is raised, encourage the complainant to email you directly or take the communication private using Facebook chat. Be personal and sincere. Authenticity over everything.
