It’s been possible to create Facebook pages or “Fan pages” for sometime now and if you’re already using Facebook then “Pages” are a useful addition to your business networking artillery.
Fan pages are public and can be seen by unregistered users, so are a good way to reach a wider audience if you want to keep your personal Facebook profile private (you don’t really want the world seeing you dressed as a banana for your friend’s 30th do you!).
Fan pages are generally best for establishing your brand and showcasing what you do. Fans can add comments, feedback and show their support for you. When you add new posts they will receive your updates in their newsfeed.
A fan page is almost identical to your personal profile as it has a wall for comments, allows you to add photos, video, events, discussion board and tabs for further information and applications. You can also add your business logo as the page profile picture so your fans can identify you in their newsfeed. A couple of different things that come with a fan page are adverts for promoting your page (that you have to pay per click for if you decide to use them) and “Insights” that shows analytics on how your page is used.
Put a link to your fan page from your website so potential clients/customers can find you on Facebook and become a fan, you can also invite your Facebook friends to become fans too.
You can also create a Fan Box to paste into your website that shows your fans and/or your update stream.
How to create a Facebook Fan Page
Facebook’s Pages section has pretty good notes on how to create a page and there are many useful article on the Web, here are a couple I find informative:
- How To Create and Promote Your Facebook Fan Page
- Facebook Group Vs Facebook Fan Page: what’s Better?
A few quick tips:
- Choose the page title to match your business/brand as you won’t be able to change this once the page is up and running
- Add exclusive content that your fans can’t get anywhere else, such as videos, tips, discounts or offers for fans only
- Create video/photos contests and get your fans to upload their own
- If you use Twitter, tweet about your updates (and vice versa)
And a note about finding your page once you’ve created it (because a client recently asked me)…when you’re logged in to your personal profile you can get to it from the icons in the bottom left of the screen, show circled below:
As with all social networking as long as you keep what you’re doing genuine then you will find your audience!
I’ve been thinking of creating one for Lounge About so your article is inspiring me to get on with it, thanks.
Hi Alison, glad it was useful!
Great idea, have just completed mine – was quite fun too!