Unless you live under a rock, you are probably familiar with Facebook, the online social networking site. Many of us use the popular site to connect with old friends, acquaintances, and family, but what about for business?
Facebook can be a great marketing and sales tool for small to medium businesses. For many, it helps find new customers, build relationships with current customers, and provides insight into demographics.
The New York Times provides a small business guide for using Facebook to market your business. Below are a few tips from the guide:
Start Small
Aside from your Facebook Profile page, all savvy business owners should have a Facebook Page dedicated to their business. With a “Page”, you business can collect fans the same way celebrities and sports teams do.
Facebook offers a lot of tools that may seem overwhelming at first. To most effectively use your time and Facebook resources ask yourself a few key questions: What is your overall objective? Is it getting new customers? Brand awareness? Once you figure that out, it will be a lot easier to find the right tools for your needs.
Aim at Potential Customers
Facebook’s targeted advertising can help you grow your business in a very cost effective way. The New York Times Small Business Guide tells the story of a wedding photographer who used Facebook to generate new business and did- over $60,000.
“Mr. Meyer, a wedding photographer in Woodbury, Minn., had had little luck with traditional advertising. He aimed at women ages 22 to 28 who listed their martial status as engaged in the Minneapolis area. He says about three-quarters of his clients now come to him through Facebook. “I’d be out of business if I didn’t have Facebook,” Mr. Meyer said. “Especially with this economy, I need to stretch each marketing dollar as much as I possibly can.”
For the complete Small Business Guide to Facebook, click here.