Sales vs. Promotions, Pricing Your Goods , Customer Relations, Price Points, Selling on Online Auctions, Selling From Websites, Selling At Craft Fairs, Selling At Home Shows, Selling To Stores, Attitude, No Money Down Advertising, Independent Sales Reps, Customer Referrals, Gift Certificates, Be Customer Driven, Keepers, Mail Campaigns, Payment Types, Packaging, Bargain Selling, Basics of Selling, Working With Non Profits, Start Up Fees, Start Up Inventory, Competing With Imports, Calling New Businesses, Preparing for Sales Appointments, Sales Appointments, Teaching, Selling On Consignment, Selling Gifts, Doing Business Online, Hello, Networking Meetings Retaining Customers, Alliances, Names and Tag Lines, Logo and Image, Marketing to Kids, Custom Work, Design Considerations, Renting Space, Standing Out, Email, Newsletter, Photo albums (Portfolios), Dealing with the Press, Writing a Press Release, Turnaround, Manage Your Business, Quarter Auctions, Corporate Clients, Getting Over Your Fears, Lists, Smile, Gift Shopping Service, Praise your Customers, 15 Second Elevator Talks, Master Mind Groups, Your Customer, Adult Kits, Trends, Product Sheets, Compiling Mailing Lists, Growing From Mistakes, Post Cards, No, Lost Customers, Surviving Difficult Times, Slow Winter Months , Online Craft Sites, Business Structures, Drop Off Shows, Holding a Craft Fair, Mail Order Catalogs, Determining if a Show is Worthwhile, Niche Markets
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How To Use Facebook For Your Business Can Facebook really be used effectively for business purposes? This is a common question which receives different opinions each time asked. Facebook was first started as a means for college students and others to communicate online and have a common social network. However, since this modest start in 2004, it has become the #1 social networking site online today.
Your customers aren’t on Facebook… right? Facebook is no longer “kid’s play”. Each business will have a different demographic, but take in some of these statistics: · 300 million users worldwide and continues to grow · 50% of these users (150 million) are active users on any given day · Fastest growing demographic on Facebook are 35 and older – U.S. females increasing 55% · Average user has 130 friends · More than 10 million users become fans on Business pages EACH DAY So now that you can see that potential clients are on Facebook and 50% of them are using it every day, how do you harness some of that exposure ? There are many different platforms within Facebook to use and you will have to determine which makes the most sense for your business. Some examples of these platforms are business pages, placing ads within Facebook and of course posting information to lead others to your website. Business Pages: When you create a Facebook account, you have the option to either create a personal account or a business page. You will see this option on the main page of www.facebook.com. When promoting your business, you will want to create a business page. This platform allows you to have an interactive way to stay in touch with your current and potential buyers. You will use this page to post updated information about your business (new products , sales, events, etc…), post pictures of your products, have your fans post pictures of what they have made with your products, post “how-to” videos, and create discussions concerning relevant topics. You may notice that the page is very interactive. You want it to be a fun and resourceful place for fans. The main obstacle is of course getting fans whom will be following your updates automatically. When you or a fan posts something within the page, all fans are notified. Building the fan base will be the main focus once you have launched the business page. You can do this my inviting people through email or approaching friends you may already have on your personal Facebook account. Facebook makes it very easy to invite potential fans. Once you create your page, it gives you an application to send out an announcement and invitation to your new business page. Use this platform to showcase your products and to be a resource for news. Make it interactive with your fans and most of all- make it fun to visit.Placing Ads: Many people ask if it is free to have a business page or personal account, how does Facebook make money? Well, they have made hundreds of million of dollars. Allowing businesses to place targeted ads are a big factor in these earnings. Have you ever noticed that advertisements pop on on the right hand side of your personal Facebook account page? In addition, these ads just so happen to know where you live so they can show you sales and specials happening in your area. This phenomenon is not by coincidences. Businesses can place ads on Facebook which work very similarly to Google or Yahoo sponsor ads. You tell Facebook what your daily budget is, what age group you are targeting and other demographics and voila- your ad is placed on your potential customer’s Facebook page. These ads rotate so depending on your budget and the competition, they may not show every time. You will be charged a small charge each time someone clicks on your advertisement. Once your budget is used for the month, you will not have anymore ads being shown until you replenish your budget. This is an extremely effective and fairly cost friendly way to gain more exposure for your business. You can even place advertisements for people to join your new business page as well. Posting Links: Another great way to spread the word about you and your business is just by simply telling people about you. You can do this on your personal Facebook account as well as on your business page. You can mention new products, show people a great new and creative way to use your product or give relevant news. Each time you do this, you can have a link to either the article that you were referencing or to a relevant page on your own website. One word of warning:- do not do this too much- just once in awhile. The etiquette of Social Media is not to pitch too much. You will become a resource for news and updates. You can also mention your business page as a way for people to be automatically updated, therefore advertising for fans while you are posting your updates on Facebook. Facebook is a cost effective way to promote your business. It gives you a way to communicate with your current, past and potential buyers without needing to spend money with direct mail. It also allows you to demonstrate how creative and resourceful your company can be. Facebook has certainly “grown up” and can not be ignored as a place to promote your business. To learn more about how Social Media can help your business, you may contact the author at kdorsey@globalseoresults.com or 1-800-408-0093 x 210. Global Results is a Maryland based Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Company. You may also follow Global Result’s blog at http://organicseohelp.blogspot.com.EDITER'S NOTE: I hired Kathleen to teach me social networking. Her one on one classes were quite cost effective and sent me on my way to facebook, twitter and linked in. She could teach this class locally or remotely over the phone.
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