Facebook Fan Pages

Facebook has always been touchy about members spamming, but in the earlier period they’ve really opened up opportunities for businesses and professionals to represent themselves on the site.  The greatest way to make your presence known if you hope to use Facebook for marketing is to make what is called a “Fan Page” in the name of your business or organization.

The main difference between a Fan Page and a usual user profile is that the Fan Pages are public.  For people to view your own profile on Facebook, they must first register and then request to be added to your list of contacts.  Other than a Fan Page can be viewed even by non-members.  It does not contain your individual name (unless you want it to), personal photos or other information that you don’t necessarily want to share with the general public.

One more great feature to Facebook Fan Pages is that whenever anyone becomes a “fan” or adds you as a contact; it is broadcast via their profile to all of their contacts, reaching potentially thousands of other people who may not have heard of you before.

So what are the elements that will create your Facebook Fan Page stand out?  Here are five:

1. Apply a simple page title such as your business name or something else that clearly describes what you do.
2. Apply an easily identifiable logo or profile picture.
3. Keep your page updated, new, and interesting without adding a bunch of lame apps to clutter it up.
4. Join in on conversations that ensue on your page.  People love to know that a real one is watching and listening to what they have to say.
5. Be willing to create changes and add features that your fans are asking for.  They are major contributors to creating your Fan Page successful, so let them participate in its design and operation.

Obviously, the equal rules apply to Facebook Fan Pages that apply to all other social networking:  don’t be pushy and don’t force yourself on your contacts.  The great thing about Fan Pages, however, is that people who select to be a fan of your page know that you will be talking about your business or product on there, so you don’t have to worry about them getting indignant at you when you post business-related things.

Facebook is presently the most popular social networking site in the world, so if you are not using it to support your business you are simply missing out.  Make sure you have links to your Facebook Fan Page on your blog and your usual Facebook profile so people know it exists.  You may need to do a little bit of promotion when you first start it up, but eventually it will hold on as people see your updates posted in their friends’ public timelines.

get time to set up your company’s Facebook Fan Page, put some real thought into it, and then use it as yet another tool for generating awareness about your company online.  Do you have a Facebook Fan Page for your business?  put down us a comment with a link so we can check it out!