How to Promote/Grow Business on Facebook for Free

Nearly all consumers use the Web to search for local businesses – and most of them are on Facebook. The website is the biggest social networking platform in the world by far, with more than a billion active users.

Meanwhile, the social media giant is steadily rolling out features to help users find small businesses, while helping small businesses connect with potential new customers.

A good Facebook presence can help you engage your fans and grow your business. But with so many ways to promote your business on Facebook, it’s hard to know where to start.

Read on for some easy steps you can take to make social media work for you.

1. Create your Page

Your Facebook Page is your business’ home base on the social networking site. A Page is a lot like a regular Facebook profile, but for brands and businesses.

You will interact with Facebook users through your business’ page, so make sure it truly reflects your brand. Use your business logo as the primary photo for your Page, and pick a cover photo that is attractive and showcases what your business does.

Type up a few snappy sentences to describe your brand, and choose a memorable Web address.Facebook Page URLs appear in the form of www.facebook.com/(yourbrand).

2. Tell People You Are on Facebook

Use other social networks, like Twitter, to post links to your Facebook page, put details of it on your website and all your marketing literature, and include a link below your email signature.

3. Make the Most of Your Profile

Include appropriate images, a link to your website, an overview of your company and a description of your product or service.

4. Share!

It’s not enough simply to have a Facebook Page. To rack up followers you’ll need to create worthwhile, interesting content for your fans.

Users who like your page will see your posts show up in their main Facebooknews feed, so get cracking. You can share updates, photos, videos, promotions and a lot more.

The most successful Facebook posts – the ones that drive the most people to comment, share and like – are short and visual. Look for ways to add a visual element to your posts, whether it’s a short video clip, a photo from inside your store, or just stock art.

Facebook’s Page Insights tool helps take the guesswork out of sharing. The tool, accessible from your Facebook Page’s Admin menu, provides valuable information on follower activity. For example, it can tell you what time most people view your content so you can plan your promotions.

5. Engage with Your Followers

Facebook users love to talk to real people and share their news and views. Reply to queries and respond to comments, including any complaints. You can also encourage discussion and feedback — positive user-generated content providesa very powerful endorsement for your business.

6. Reward your Facebook Followers

Reward your Facebook followers by running competitions or providing exclusive deals. Many people use Facebook to find special offers that aren’t available elsewhere.

7. Post content that people typically enjoy on Facebook

Images, in particular, tend to attract the most likes, shares and comments. According to Facebook, images account for 75% of content posted by brands. The content you post should show the human side of your business but make sure it is in line with your brand values and does not damage your reputation.

8. Leverage friends of fans

New customers are more likely to try your business if their friends already use it. Facebook lets you leverage word-of-mouth to promote your product or service.

Keep in mind that when a fan interacts with your Page, their friends will see the activity in their news feed.

You can foster more interaction in a variety of ways. Set up polls and ask questions on your Facebook Page that fans can’t resist responding to.

Encourage customers to “check in” to your business on Facebook when they visit by offering a small discount for anyone who does. Checking in is a feature that allows users to notifytheir friends of where theyare.

You can also create special events and limited-time promotions and invite your followers, who can invite their friends in turn.

9. Measure everything

Page Insights provides an overview of who your customers are and how they’re connecting with your business. You can also use the Adverts Manager dashboard to see how your adsare performing against your objectives.

Cardinal rules

Do:
1.understand your Facebook audience.
2.create an appealing business page.
3.engage with your followers.

Don't:1.be too formalor business-like.
2.post comments that coulddamage your brand.
3.ignore feedback.