How to Create a Facebook Business Page That Rocks!
Wondering how you can create a Facebook page for your business? Don't know what to put on it, when you finally do? No problem! NY Marketing Girl will show you how to create a page AND post content that will engage visitors and turn them into customers!
Disclaimer: Content will vary depending on what your industry is so please just use this as a basic guide.
Step 1. Login to your Facebook profile and then go to: https://www.facebook.com/about/pages and click "Create Page".
Step 2. The next page will contain 6 boxes. If you are a small business like a local restaurant, B&B, etc, click "Local Business or Place". If you have created a brand like "Suzy's Custom Dresses" you probably would want to click "Brand or Product".
Step 3. Once you click your box it will change into a form. Fill it out! Include all your information. Then agree to the terms and click "Get Started".
Step 4. You will now reach this screen:
It will guide you step-by-step through the process. Fill out each form and then save each time.
The second step is your Profile Picture.You need to pick a picture that represents your business, like your logo. The photo you upload must be at least 180x180 pixels.
The third step in this process asks you to create a Facebook Web Address. You will be giving this link to your fans. Make sure it's something they will remember and represents your business. Example: facebook.com/suzyscustomdresses or facebook.com/suzysdresses
After you go through all the steps, you will finally reach your Facebook page! Congrats!
Step 5. Facebook will show you around. The first thing they want you to do is "Like" your own page. Do it! Then they ask you to "Share Something". You should probably skip that for now. The tour should end after that.
Step 6. Add a Cover Photo.
Towards the right - see where it says "Add a Cover". This should be a photo that represents your business. Say you're a restaurant - showcase some of your entrees or show a shot of people enjoying lunch. Facebook gives the following guidelines for cover photo size: "Cover photos are 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall. If you upload an image that's smaller than these dimensions, it will get stretched to this larger size. The image you upload must be at least 399 pixels wide.
To get the fastest load times for your Page, upload an sRGB JPG file that's 851 pixels wide, 315 pixels tall and less than 100 kilobytes. For images with your logo or text-based content, you may get a higher quality result by using a PNG file."
I like to create collages for the cover photo. This website - http://www.picmonkey.com/ is a great way to make your collage (click "create collage" at the top of the picmonkey website then click "layouts" on the left" then "FB Cover" for options. Send me a message if you need help).
Step 7. Don't invite your friends just yet. Post something interesting to get them to "Like" your page...and keep coming back. Give them a taste of what's to come. Your friends are busy and they aren't going to visit your page and share it just because you swap secrets at your weekly hair appointment! Got it? Now, let's make some noise!
Step 8. The content you post on your page will be shown in the "news feed". The news feed is the first thing you see when you log in to your Facebook account. Most people spend 40% of their time viewing the news feed so you want to make sure you're posting and catching people's eyes.
A. Ask a question! More than likely you'll get a few answers. This will help start a conversation.
B. Re-post other people's posts that you find interesting.
C. Link to a video. It doesn't have to be your video, as long as it's relevant. Ask people to comment on the video. What are their thoughts? Did they enjoy it?
D. Even better, post photos! It doesn't even have to be business related as long as it's something that isn't negative nor offensive.
E. Give advice! For example, I set up posts for a client of mine who owns a cleaning company. Every Friday morning a post goes out with a cleaning tip like, how to get stains out of Tupperware or how to prevent bathroom mold.
F. Once in awhile, promote your product or service. Don't do it too often. Maybe 1-2 times a month. People don't like when you try to sell them something and they won't visit your page when all you do is list your products and talk about how great they are. I've seen this all to often with Realtors. They just keep listing the properties they have for sale. They don't engage people by creating conversation so they don't have a lot of fans.
G. Talk to other people, brands, and businesses. Build real relationships based on common interests and support. Comment on other people's posts and share things you find interesting.
Step 9. Share your page! Invite your friends. Click "Build Audience" on the top of your page and invite not only all your friends but invite your email contacts, as well. Also, share your page with your current customers! Print these and post around your place: http://fbrep.com//SMB/tent-cards-self-serve.pdf
Use your Facebook URL on all your marketing materials such as flyers, brochures, menus, and business cards. Tell people you meet about your page and encourage your friends to "share" your page.
Well, that's about it for now, folks. This should get you up and running. I want to tell you about Facebook Insights, which is basically statistics about your page, but you'll have to wait for my next post! This girl has had a long day (but thankfully tomorrow is Friday) and needs some shuteye.
Till then, you can get more information by visiting Facebook's Page Guide at: http://fbrep.com//SMB/Pages_Product_Guide.pdf
