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6 Ways to Use Facebook Like an Entrepreneur - Launch While Working

Our Facebook Fan Page

Originally posted at TaiGoodwin.com

Chances are you have a personal Facebook account. That’s great for connecting with friends, relatives, and finding new social connections. But as a part-time entrepreneur, if your paying prospects are hanging out on Facebook, you are missing an opportunity without a Facebook Page for your business. As of 2012, there are over 800 million people on Facebook. How many of them could be your next client?

When choosing to set up your Facebook business page also referred to as a Fan Page, here are six ways to get it right:

1. Connect the dots
Presumably, your business has an online presence elsewhere – a website, blog, or some such. On your site, it’s a good idea to set up a link to your Facebook page and vice versa. This allows visitors to easily connect to your Facebook page from your site. And your Facebook friends can easily find your website (You can do this by adding a link to your website in the Basic Information section of your Business Page). Giving clients and prospects the option of finding you on Facebook gives your business a personal touch.

Consider adding a plug-in like Facebook Likebox, that can showcas Facebook users who like youru page as well as your posts. Another key to making connections is to offer your clients the ability to share your information. You can provide the ability to use Buzz, Tweet, or another social platform to your information quickly and easily.

2. Content
It’s a good idea to have a plan about what you are going to say on your Facebook page. This is your page’s content – the information you present to your clients and prospects. Make it interesting, relevant and fresh so that people will stay when they visit and return for more content. A few ideas for what to share: your blog posts, invitation to events, quotes, links to helpful tutorials or books, images, your clients sites and fan pages. Video is a hot content tool for Facebook. Aside from just posting video to your page, you can use apps like Vokle that integrate directly with Facebook.

AVOID THIS - Do not post to Facebook like you post to Twitter. Facebook is more visual, make sure your links to posts have images as opposed to twitter where it is just 140 characters. Yes you can automate your Facebook posts with tools likeHootsuite, but the last thing you want to end up with your Facebook page looking like a Twitter stream.

3. Interaction
If lead generation is the pay-off of for using social media to promote your business, interaction with your clients and prospects is one of the main cogs in the wheel that make your marketing system work. To generate interaction, you’ll need to have interactive applications on your page (apps). These include things like contests, games, and special offers. Consider creating apps for your page, and your information has the potential to “go viral” and reach many people quickly.

Tip: Allow people who like your page to post comments and respond to your posts. Read only Facebook business pages are like a cold shoulder. It may require some monitoring but the opportunity to engage on your page is a great way to build community.

4. Freebies
Interactive or not, business professionals generally agree that giving away freebies is a great way to promote your business. If you give away a few high-quality freebies, then your fans will be likely to purchase your higher-quality items or products you’re selling. There are several forms your freebie can be delivered in: a checklist, free report, template, downloadable audio, access to video or exclusive interview are just some examples. Many of the same opt-forms that you can use on your blog to capture lead information, can be used in Facebook. Check to see if your current tool has an app.

5. Advertise
Facebook ads are easy to create and relatively inexpensive. Facebook allows you to target your ads to your particular demographic. You can use key words from Facebook users’ profiles to ensure the ad will appeal to your audience. This can save you time and effort, and really get your message across to your target audience or market.

6. Let your brilliance shine
These days, unique individuality is in. You can use your personality and your own individual approach to promote your business. Don’t hesitate to capitalize on what makes you, you!