Why You Should Create a Facebook Business Page – Part 2

Why You Should Create a Facebook Business Page – Part 2

5. Google Search Results

Facebook Pages are indexed by Google which means that they are optimized for search engines. So the more active you are, the more visible your business will be in a search resulting in an increased online presence and active and prolific impression on Social Media.

6. And The Winner Is...

Who doesn't love a freebie?! Contests are a great way to build engagement with your Fans and also incentivize other people to Like your Business Page and share your content, making them an instant ambassador for your Brand or business. Contests are one of the most fun and creative Facebook Business Page features. Contests are a really effective way of incentivizing people to share your Business Page or content and grow your Likes.

7. Featured Likes

This enables you to showcase the pages of other brands/businesses that you Like - providing not only an insight into your brand/business and its interests but also to showcase the Pages of those businesses you have Liked which should also encourage reciprocity by those businesses.

Simply clicking on the 'Like Pages' link on the left-hand side of your screen allows you to choose from a list of Pages under various categories, including Brands & Products and Companies and Organizations. Liking businesses with whom you have an affiliation or association with, such as complementary services, trusted suppliers and so on, are always going to have maximum impact.

8. Business Showcase

A Facebook Business Page allows you to display such information as your business's opening times, location map, telephone number, email address and website address, etc. In the website section you can also add up to three addresses of your choosing in addition to your business site. I suggest adding links to your Twitter profile, LinkedIn Profile/Company Business Page, Google+ Page, Blog address, etc.

You can further showcase your business by providing a Company Overview, Description, Mission, Founded, Awards, Products (a call to action with a website link is recommended here), etc.

Why You Should Create a Facebook Business Page – Part 1

Why You Should Create a Facebook Business Page – Part 1

Many business owners have not yet realized the benefits of a Facebook Business Page for their brand, products or services.

1. Personal vs. Private

A Facebook Profile and Business Page are mutually exclusive and lead very separate lives. Your personal page is just that….personal. Your Business Page is about your business. Set up and use these two pages separately. Your family and friends probably don't want to see an update on your business every time they log in to Facebook. Of course, if they have chosen to Like your Business Page then it's a different story. But keeping the two separate in the first place gives everybody the option and upholds an individual's preferences.

2. Brand Newsfeed

A Business Page Timeline is the similar to email marketing on Facebook and strengthens your success in reaching and engaging with current and potential customers. Your Business Page Timeline equals increased exposure for your business/brand, invaluable insights into what you are saying most resonates with people but also provides ample opportunities for conversations with new audiences.

 

Just make sure that you are using Facebook as your Business Page in order to comment/post on the Business Pages of others.

3. Tagging and Commenting

Isn't it great when your friends and family Tag you in photos you didn't know you were in or at a location you were both at? Another highly advantageous feature of Business Pages is that in addition to those who Like your Page, any Business Page owner can Tag/comment on your Business Page which opens it right out to a viral audience. And of course, each time they do this, you are maximizing the number of Newsfeeds your Business Page name appears in and ultimately not how many Fans see it but also their own Fans too which offers rich pickings in terms of engagement and new fans.

4. The Sky's the Limit!

Did you know that a Facebook personal Profile is limited to 5,000 friends? Not so for a Facebook Business Page! There is no limit to the number of Likes it can receive.

Facebook Pages Vs. Profiles - What's the Difference?

Facebook Pages Vs. Profiles - What's the Difference?

What’s the difference between a Facebook Page and a Profile Page? Actually, there's a big difference.

A Facebook Profile page is a personal profile. Profiles can usually only be viewed by people who are your friends. They are for personal use, not professional use. Yes, some people will use their profile as a professional page anyway, but I really don't recommend doing this. Only a real person can have a Facebook profile, in their name, and they can only have one of them.

A Facebook Page, on the other hand, can be about absolutely anything: a book, a movie, a writer, a musician, a company, or an artist. A person with a profile can make as many pages as they want about as many things as they want. There is no limit. Pages are public and can be viewed by anyone. Profiles have a 5,000 friend limit. Pages have no limit whatsoever.

If you are a small business owner, I don't recommend using a profile. I recommend making a page instead. Why?

First of all, you can't 'like' a profile. You can only send a friend request and see their page if that person accepts your request. However, anyone can 'like' a page - including both personal profiles and professional pages. That's right. Someone else's business page can like your business page if they want to, and you can like their business page too. There are no requests needed - likes are automatically accepted. Then, whatever that page posts will show up in your news feed as if they were your friend.

Are you seeing the benefit of this? You are allowing anyone to like your page, even if they are only doing it through their company page. You are a lot more likely to trade likes with people. Also, your page will show up on their profile or page as something that they 'like,' which is more visibility for you in the long run.

The benefits of having a page for your small business far outweighs any benefits of doing it as a profile. So get a Facebook Business Page, and start telling people about it!

Social Media is Here to Stay!

Social Media Marketing is Here to Stay

Social media marketing for business has become a way to promote small businesses that is inexpensive and effective. Marketing your business through online social sites is essential for success. Word-of-mouth advertising is one of the best through social sites. If you obtain the trust of your customers, through social media, word-of-mouth can quickly spread news about your business.

The future cannot be predicted, so no telling what is to come in the long-term future of social media, but it appears that at least for a while Facebook and Twitter are not going anywhere.

Mobile use continues to grow as people leave their computers and laptops and work from their phones and tablets. Make sure your website is mobile compatible. Video is also a way to market your small business.

Marketing with social media is the future in marketing. Make sure to research where your customers are going for their social media needs. One way of doing this is check out your competition.

Blue Dog Marketing is here to assist you with all your social media marketing needs. Let us handle your marketing while you run your business!

 

2 Great Ways To Market Your Small Business in 2014

Are you wondering where you should be focusing your marketing efforts in 2014?

Let me share with you 2 great ways you can market your business this year.  

1. Facebook. Facebook is the place to be and Facebook ads are also quite hot right now, so it's not only about having a presence on Facebook - it's also about investing in Facebook ads.

But ads aren't the only way to go. Make sure you're on Facebook regularly, engaging with your customers on a personal and professional level.

2. Video. People feel like they know you faster when they see you on video. Your prospects need to feel like they know, like and trust you before they become your customers.

Video is versatile. You can use the same video on your Facebook page, in your blog, and on your website. Video also helps people find you on the search engines.

 

Need help creating a video or a business Facebook page or ad? Blue Dog Marketing is here to help you attract more clients, sell more products and boost your business in 2014. Contact us!

 

Happy New Year!

Blue Dog Marketing wishes you a very Happy New Year!

3 Tips to a Better Website

3 Tips to a Better Website

Having a website is an important part of your marketing plan. However, developing a website sometimes seems complicated and overwhelming. Here's a few tips you should follow to create a website that's easy to use and will keep your clients coming back.

1) Include contact information on every page. Be sure to make it easy for clients to contact you either by including an e-mail address, phone number or a link to a contact form on each page of your website. People are lazy. If they want to contact you and can't easily find your contact information, they'll leave your website.

2) Make sure everything works. If you include links or videos, be sure to test them and make sure they work. People will make assumptions about the quality of your business based on your website. Don't lose business because your website doesn't work properly.

3) Update your content. Be sure to provide fresh, updated content to your blog on a regular basis. When it's obvious new blogs haven't been added for several months, that creates a bad impression. New, fresh content will not only keep your customers coming back, but it will also help improve your search engine ranking.