Facebook fan page question

Hey guys,

Thanks for the questions. I have been researching and recording videos on exactly how to create a fan page, add an optin page to it including video, graphics, autoresponder form etc and then how to promote and grow your fans.

I'd more than happily give you the links to those videos, but don't want to break any rules on here, so please PM me and I'll send you the links, or look me up on facebook.

It seems there is a lot of interest in facebook at the moment and rightly so as it is a HUGE marketing tool for online and offline businesses that many people are still ignoring - at their peril if you ask me.

The future of Internet Marketing is about building trusted relationships. The days of building a huge list and just firing them with 100 affiliate offers a week are over.

So many people have been bombarded with sales emails over the years that they have become sceptical and cynical and you can be sure those emails will be at the bottom of their new google priority inbox.

People want to know that you have their best interests at heart, that you're real, human, have been where they are and are offering extraordinary value. These days you need to 'pay it forward' to ensure you get a large, responsive, customer database who are not only your customers but your fans.

It takes more work and a lot more transparency and it probably takes a bit more time before you see the $$ come rolling in but it makes for a much more long term and sustainable business.

There are some guys on this forum who have been marketing this way for years and it is those guys who are truly successful (Martin, Steve, Tim, Mike - to name a few) - you guys know who you are.

The fantastic thing about facebook is that it allows you to showcase yourself daily to a massive audience. You can link to a video, an article, a blog post anything you're currently doing to add value and within minutes it could be in front of 100's of thousands of people.

Up until a few weeks ago, I was plodding along creating relationships, making videos, posting articles etc, then I suddenly discovered facebook. In the last few weeks my customer database has literally exploded and so has my reputation. It is from facebook that I have now been approached to speak at a big event. It is through facebook that I have now been asked to do several high level JV's and it is through facebook that my reputation is spreading like wildfire. One link, 100 friends click like, each of them have 100 friends, 10,000 see my link, 10% of them click like, they have 100 friends, 100,000 see my link and so on!

I'm only telling you all this, because I am now a true advocate of the power of facebook. I think it is amazing and with a facebook fan page it is even more powerful.

In just 3 weeks I have over 1000 fans on my fan page. Now here's where the magic comes in. Every time I make a posting on the wall, as above it might be to a link, to a video, to a blog etc, that post goes onto every single fans newsfeeds - each facebook member has an average of 130 friends so my link is being seen potentially by 130,000 people - How crazy is that!

The challenge with facebook is that it is incredibly interactive and real time, so it takes time and focus. You need to be updating constantly and giving up to date real time information. However, you can link it to your you tube account, your blog, your twitter acount etc, so each time you update one of these your page or your profile will get updated.

Not only that but you can create groups. What a fantastic way to build a targeted list of interested people without the need to opt in. A group allows you to personally email each member of your group and the facebook stats are that facebook emails have a 93% open rate!

The great thing is that you can run multiple groups if you like so if you have businesses in different niches you can supplement your existing business with a niched group in facebook.

Once again the key with this is to offer lots of value and content.

I believe Facebook and social media is the future for businesses both on and offline. I also believe facebook coupled with a really strong blog is the ideal combination to get a great business off the ground. Both are platforms that allow people to get to know you. To hear your voice, see your face and learn to trust you and want to buy from you.

The key to all of this is quality and value, quality and value of information, quality and value of communication.

Never be afraid of giving too much. 'Ye shall reap what ye sows'!!! (or something like that! )

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Jo