For many business owners, Facebook is still a ‘kids thing’ and I often need to explain to them why that is no longer the case and why Facebook and similar social networking sites will be increasingly important to their business.
The marketing opportunities that the Internet brings to business expand continually. From a simple beginning in the 1990s when websites became a showcase for brand identity and email addresses went corporate, through to today when videos and online profiles are taking on brand significance.
Social networking site, Facebook was originally launched in 2004 as a site for youth. Today it has over 90 million active users worldwide and is the No 2 visited site in the UK. It has evolved into a powerful marketing machine. For example, Facebook’s news feeds have quickly gaining popularity as a way to keep audiences informed about a company’s activities, new product launches, seasonal promotions, and so on.
So how can companies use Facebook to market online?
Firstly, you should customise your account or profile to give it a personalised (for an individual) or branded (for an organisation) look; for example: a Facebook Page. Customisation offers you a sense of ownership over the community that you reach out to and network with using social utilities like Facebook.
Then the key word is ‘connect’ – making the connection, spreading your message, maintaining engagement levels and creating positive reactions – these are the valuable uses of powerful media like Facebook. From posting pictures and news articles, to writing notes, from hosting events to sharing videos, Facebook users are virtually living by its description – “Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you”.
For business users, Facebook connects you with your network of customers, partners and suppliers, and opens up two-way communication. When that community is talking about you – you can hear and can interact with them.
Are you listening yet?
