By now, we all know that Facebook is THE big name in social media. We also know that social media is an important tool for any business because it allows companies to engage with customers like never before.
That being said, you can’t just post anything to your Facebook fan page and hope it gets readers to interact. Your posts must be interesting. They must provide value. They must make your fans want to keep visiting your fan page to interact with you.
Whether your goal is for Facebook fans to leave comments, to like your status updates or to participate in contests and surveys, there are “rules of engagement” that apply.
Follow these steps to engage with your Facebook fans.
First, you need to clearly define who you are seeking to engage with. As the old saying goes, “You can’t be all things to all people.” When you post to your Facebook fan page, each post should have a target reader. Who is most likely to respond to what you’re talking about?
It may seem like you’re leaving out a lot of potential customers by narrowing the focus of your post. But don’t fret. The response you’ll get from the readers who feel like you’re speaking directly to them is well worth it.
Once you’ve targeted your audience, next you should provide some kind of value to them. Value can come in many forms. Perhaps you have a tip that will make their lives easier (or make them more money… or help them lose weight faster. Get my drift?). Tell your fans about it. It’s the old principle of giving before you get.
Countless Facebook fan pages offer free samples or links to free e-books or mp3 downloads. These are perfect examples of providing value. Fan pages like this usually enjoy high traffic on a daily basis.
When writing your Facebook fan page posts, keep in mind what benefits you want to provide your fans. Then offer it to them in an interesting way.
The most important thing to remember when engaging with your Facebook fans is to ALWAYS leave them with something to do. Call it homework if you will. Don’t worry; it’s not like that boring stuff we all hated in grade school. It’s your call-to-action.
A call-to-action is simply asking readers to do whatever it is you want them to do. It seems like common sense to include this in your Facebook fan page posts, but you’d be surprised how often companies forget, or simply neglect, to do it.
Do you want your fans to visit your website? Leave a link and ask for the click.
Are you hoping to start a discussion about your company’s specific area of expertise? Ask readers to weigh in on the discussion.
Need more participants in a survey you’re conducting to help you better understand your customers? Explain that their opinions are valuable to you, then tell them where to go to participate.
Even with something as simple as a ‘like’… ask and you shall receive.
And while you’re doing all of these things to make your Facebook fans want to engage with you, remember to keep it friendly. Facebook is a place to unwind for most people. Be fun. Hold a conversation the same way you would in a bar with your buddies. Be a friend.
If you remember these things when you’re posting to your Facebook fan page, you’ll get the engagement from readers that you’ve been looking for.