using facebook to promote your business
DESCRIPTION
This hour and a half workshop was presented by Allée CEO Melissa Harrison. Designed for small business owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs interested in learning how to use Facebook to create awareness and expand business reach, the slides shown are the outline for the full content that was provided during the presentation (handouts and supplemental information not included).TRANSCRIPT
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
Using Facebook to Promote Your Business
Presented by:Melissa HarrisonPrincipal, Allée
@alleecreativewww.facebook.com/alleecreative
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
About Melissa
• Business owner• Mother of four• Certified fitness
instructor• Reader/learner• Avid social media user
(both personal and business)Photo credit: HJS Photo Gallery
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
Concentration for today:
• Why social media is important for your business• How to determine if Facebook is right for you• How to get started• Ideas for content• How to keep up with it all/time management• Resources
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
“Social media is like a cocktail party where you’re meeting people. Ultimately, you want them to take you home and share you with their friends.”
- Leo Dimilo,Internet Marketer
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Why is social media important for your business?
75% of people get their news from social networking sites like Facebook (CNN)
It’s word-of-mouth marketing
People trust their peer networks, family/friends
It levels the playing field for small business
Generates more business exposure
Increases online traffic
Provides marketplace insight
Facebook’s algorithms change…a lot. Social media is always evolving. Know your priorities and decide how you’ll keep up.
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Determining if Facebook is the right fit for your business
• Time: Social media takes a lot of time and success will not happen over night. Determine your time commitment and stick with it. Once you start, you’re in it for the long haul.
• Resources: Who will be your community manager? Someone within your team? Will you outsource?
• Audience/demographics: Are your customers on Facebook? Who are you looking to reach? How do you want to expand your brand’s exposure?
• Success indicators: How does Facebook align with your overall business goals? How will you determine success?
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
The #1 social media tool for marketers is Facebook(Social Media Examiner)
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
Before you start:The “new” Facebook
• Expression: Facebook has moved to become more visual; it’s the next wave in social media. Pictures are visually stimulating and help evoke emotion and connection with customers.
• Reach: New timeline features more ways to ensure greater reach through pinned posts, starred content, milestones, customized apps, backdating and open analytics
• Response: New message features, expanded admin features and richer story-telling tools
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Before you start:Prepare the Following
About Statement
Cover Photo
Profile Picture
Content Calendar
Brand Voice
Social Media Policy
History, Photos, Milestones
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
Getting started on Facebook
Creating your Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FacebookPages
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The basics of your Facebook page
• Set your cover photo• Set your profile photo• Organize your apps• Enable messaging• Add milestones• Consider your star, pin
and tag strategy
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Your Cover Photo
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Cover Photo Examples
NikeHome DepotPunch Pizza1-800 FlowersFrench Meadow BakeryDr. OzAthleta
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Your Profile Picture
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Tells Us “About” You and Organize Your Apps
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Stars, Pins and Tags
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Content Ideas
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Time Management
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Misc. to Consider
URL Shorteners: Think twice about using them. There is more engagement with the “real deal” URLs.
Twitter: Don’t automate Twitter updates on Facebook; they are different platforms and should remain that way.
Short Posts: Keep posts short. Those with 80 characters or less have 27% higher engagement rates (Buddy Media)
Post for Your Audience: Early morning and end-of-day posts gain higher return on engagement; don’t just post during business hours.
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Resources
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Rome wasn’t built in a day.
• Develop a routine• Don’t expect results
over night• You get out of it what
you put in to it
Think. Create. Communicate.alleecreative.com
Thank you!Melissa Harrison
Email:[email protected]
Twitter:@alleecreative
Facebook:www.facebook.com/alleecreative
Phone:612.946.7144