There are plenty of social media platforms that you can participate in today, and they all have their pros and cons. The best way to choose a platform to participate in is to look at the people that hang out there. In my opinion, Facebook is one of the best platforms for networking-both personally and professionally. I also use Linked In and Twitter. Linked In is nice for having a more or less static professional profile online. Twitter is good for “blasting” bits and pieces of news to friends and clients. The one social networking group I am not part of is MySpace. Privacy controls are more lax at MySpace than I prefer. Of all the social networks, Facebook is the real gem when it comes to all-round marketing and networking.
I have been using Facebook for the past two years, and it is an excellent marketing tool. Here are 10 ways you can use Facebook to promote your business for FREE!
1. Create an Excellent Profile- This is THE first step in utilizing Facebook efficiently. If you think of Facebook in terms of a marketing campaign, your profile page can be considered your “brand.” Here is my profile. A strong profile should include: a professional picture (please resist the urge to put up pictures of yourself in this year’s Halloween costume-unless of course that is part of your brand), your contact information, your website address, and your personal interests. You don’t have to list out all your personal interests-you can stick to listing just you professional interests if you prefer.
2. Add Friends- This is what makes Facebook really special-the relationships it allows you to build and sustain. The more friends you have, the more affective your marketing and networking efforts will be. The most simple way to add friends is to use Facebook’s own tools to search for current friends already using the platform. Once you have added all current friends, you can start adding acquaintances. One unique feature of Facebook is that is allows you to look at friends of friends. You can build up a huge network this way in no time.
3. Join Groups- You can join online groups within Facebook that are related to what you do. There are groups for consultants, coaches, and trainers…almost all professional service providers have some type of an online group. I am part of many marketing groups and have made quite a few contacts that way. So, find a few groups that suit your tastes and get to mingling!
4. Create your Own Group- Can’t find a group that really fits your style-create your own! You can add members, publish articles, carry on discussions, and probably meet quite a few prospects.
5. List your Events- Hosting a Teleseminar or speaking somewhere? Create an events page and invite all those you want. You can even see how many RSVP and get feedback from attendees. Marketing doesn’t get easier (or cheaper!) than this.
6. Syndicate your Blog- You can syndicate your blog on your profile page. This basically means that every time you make a post, it will automatically show up on your profile page. More Exposure = More Readers = More Potential Leads.
7. Reach OUT! – Are you a fan or admirer of someone’s work? Reach out to them on Facebook! Many colleagues of mine check their Facebook messages more regularly than their email. They are also more likely to respond to Facebook messages. Don’t feel comfortable sending out a message to someone you don’t know? No worries! Leave them a “I enjoy your work!” blurb on their wall. (All profiles come with “virtual walls” where friends and acquaintances can leave comments.)
8. Send Virtual Gifts- Want to show your appreciation for someone? Send them a virtual gift. You can choose from a bunch of balloons to a potted plant that actually sits on the recipient’s profile and grows over time (my favorite).
9. Use the Marketplace- Facebook has an online marketplace that allows you to list your services and products for free. This is a great way to gain exposure. You can also list certain things you are looking for. I often find some great books through the Marketplace.
10. Create a Community- Perhaps Facebook’s greatest benefit is that it allows you to create a community. It provides you a group of people who are constantly connected to you, and are open to hearing your message. Write on people’s walls, respond to their comments, and introduce them to each other. So…start building your brand and leveraging social media networks for marketing!
Action Steps:
1. Join Facebook (If you aren’t already using it!)
2. Feel Free to Add Me as a Friend
3. Join the free Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook
November 18th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
This is the best way to promote your business on Facebook. Then use Facebook ads to advertise your business to your target audience.
http://apps.facebook.com/businesstwo/
Business 3.0.
November 19th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Great list, and you are right, it does go well with my Social Networking Whitepaper.
I have some other thoughts as well which I need to get out of my head – I think putting them out here for others is a great thing to do.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:01 am
[...] After the Launch nos señalan10 formas de usar Facebook para promocionar [...]
December 26th, 2007 at 8:01 am
[...] 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business for Free (After the Launch): How do you promote your business on Facebook? Easy. [...]
December 29th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
[...] At the close of the year you will find all kind of web site and blog tell you about the “best of” for the year closing. One of the sites I frequently visit and subscribe to is Problogger.net . One a recent post the author posed the question, What was your most popular post in 2007? I left a response myself that my most popular post (In terms of comments and visits) was one called, The Power of real conversation in marketing your business. Interestingly enough I read what some others stated as their most popular post and they seem to have a fairly similar theme to my most popular post. One was called, Top Bloggers Reveal How To Build Traffic Offline Without Spending A Dime and the other one I felt needed a mention was Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business for Free. [...]
December 29th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Great tips. I have give a link to this post on my own blog for the benefit of my own clients. It’s great to see that some are recognizing social networks as being valuable and far from frivolous.
December 29th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
[...] 7. Find one social network and participate in it fully- Sure, you may belong to LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and some other networks whose name you cannot pronounce. But, are they really helping your business? This year choose one platform and work on creating your brand awareness. I recommend Facebook. Want to know how to market your business on Facebook? Check out this article-Ten Ways to Use Facebook to Market your Business. [...]
December 29th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for the track-back and the compliments! Please let me know if there is anything else in terms of marketing and Facebook that would interest you.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:09 am
[...] does that much better and gives you more exposure within the community when you ask questions. Another suggestion is to use the Facebook Marketplace to promote your wares, but really doesn’t Craigslist offer [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
[...] 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business for Free (After the Launch): How do you promote your business on Facebook? Easy. [...]
January 24th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
[...] New to Facebook: Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote your Business for Free by Shama Hyder [...]
January 30th, 2008 at 1:33 am
These are some great ideas.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:31 am
[...] New to Facebook: Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote your Business for Free by Shama Hyder [...]
February 12th, 2008 at 1:41 am
[...] Top Ten Ways to Promote your Business on Facebook, [...]
February 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
[...] Top Ten Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business for Free: If your company doesn’t have a huge marketing budget, don’t worry. This article gives tips on using Facebook’s free features to reach consumers. [...]
February 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
[...] Top Ten Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business for Free: If your company doesn’t have a huge marketing budget, don’t worry. This article gives tips on using Facebook’s free features to reach consumers. [...]
March 12th, 2008 at 8:47 am
This is the best explanation for marketing on Facebook I’ve read. You convinced me!
Gonna add a link to this post on my blog, too. Everyone should know how to do this.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:58 am
[...] I read this post by Shama over at After the Launch. Check it out, it’s a very clear "how-to" on [...]
April 8th, 2008 at 5:44 am
[...] Top Ten Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Business for Free: If your company doesn’t have a huge marketing budget, don’t worry. This article gives tips on using Facebook’s free features to reach consumers. [...]
April 9th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I’d like to know if this is still a good idea joining facebook in 2008. Well written article that I will be happy to share with my readers.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Hi Bob,
It definitely is! Facebook is still a very hot networking spot.
Another great one (specific for sales professionals or serious networkers) is http://www.MyN10.com. They launch in 2 weeks so I suggest you join now while the annual fee is 50% off.
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hi Sharma,
I’ve been using FB for quite some time and dont exactly agree with your point on Groups. For a group to be effective there needs to be some form of control rather than spamming the whole discussion board with offers of business and how successful their method was in making a million in just 3 months. If you look at some of the popular groups you will see that they are infested with such ads of little or no business value, hence I would use few groups and only those that are not going to spam me like crazy on business offers.
Speak soon,
Kind regards,
Hanif Rehman
http://www.dyneconsultancy.com
P.S. Love your profile pic, will add you as a friend.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Hi Hanif,
In terms of groups, you are right. There are some that are filled with spam. But the nice thing is that Facebook is huge.
For every group that is in chaos, there is another that is managed well. Find what works for you!
Thanks for your comments on the blog.
-Shama
May 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Will pop right aloing to facebook now and start my ‘marketing campaign’ using it.
Rachel
http://www.thetravelbug.org
June 19th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
[...] Yes, Facebook is a HUGE marketing tool, if used [...]
July 1st, 2008 at 4:07 pm
[...] How to Use it: Definite 4 stars! Setup a profile that conveys your brand. Add friends. Network. Find JV partners. Build community. Read: Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Market your Business for Free. [...]
July 1st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Nice post about using Facebook. I can see where some of these ideas could really help me out. I am going to put some more time into it soon. Thanks
http://www.wizeguyztees.com
July 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Thanks for this post. I have found great success using Facebook. I started a group called Jesus Is Number #1. I am amazed at how many people have joined it. Thanks Facebook for helping spread the Word.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:50 am
[...] 1. The article Robert referred you to is here. [...]
July 9th, 2008 at 10:25 am
These are all very logical obvious things…and I’ve never seen any of them actually work for a any company on more than a microscopic-scale. Any examples of exactly what will make the above notes effective?
July 9th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Hi Greg,
Thanks for commenting!
One, I am very happy to hear that these sound like logical obvious things to you. A lot of people are very new to Facebook.
Two,yes-many examples. I will be sure to share some case studies!
July 10th, 2008 at 8:41 am
[...] Launch, explains how you can use Facebook to benefit your small business. In the article, “Top 10 Ways To Use Facebook To Promote Your Business For Free“, Shama talks about representing your business is a professional [...]
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Haven’t sign up Facebook yet. Timely advice.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
[...] Launch, explains how you can use Facebook to benefit your small business. In the article, “Top 10 Ways To Use Facebook To Promote Your Business For Free“, Shama talks about representing your business is a professional [...]
August 5th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
[...] in Facebook you should listen to this podcast. Don’t forget to download Shama’s free guide here about how to promote your business for free on [...]
August 6th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Are you serious? This isn’t “how to use Facebook to promote your business,” this is “HOW TO USE FACEBOOK.”
I hope the target audience for this post is over 40 and has no idea what “social networking” means.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Hi Under 30-
Yes, this article is aimed towards people who are relatively new to social media and social networking.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
[...] – The Secrets of Facebook Marketing by Jim Kukral with Sama Hyder – Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote your Business for Free by Shama [...]
December 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Thanks Shama, I am ready to launch my love baby and let the world know!
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
interesting article.i am launching a discount gadget shop can you advice on a facebook statergy to drive traffic to my site .Your example is good for blogs and articles and advice etc
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 am
[...] 10 Ways to use Facebook to promote your business for free.” You can read the full post here. Understanding the potential of this and other Social Networking sites will prove key to promoting [...]
February 6th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Working on my profile right now – very good checklist!
February 10th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Good for you Andreas!
February 18th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
[...] Leverage the power of FaceBook. [...]
February 24th, 2009 at 11:56 am
[...] Launch, explains how you can use Facebook to benefit your small business. In the article, “Top 10 Ways To Use Facebook To Promote Your Business For Free“, Shama talks about representing your business is a professional [...]
March 18th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Thanks for sharing this. I will share it also, would it be okay to print this for co-workers who are in the dark? I’ll still have your name and URL?
March 19th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Hi Don-
Yes, feel free to share this with co-workers.
Thanks!
- Shama
March 21st, 2009 at 11:27 am
How valuable is it to have a website linked to FB and blog.
Thank you
March 22nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Hi Chale-
It is very valuable because FB allows you to build on the relationships you establish on your blog. It is like taking it one step further!
April 20th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
[...] Top 10 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote your Business for Free [...]