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Facebook Marketing for Offline/Local Businesses.

by sdentrepreneur
12 replies
Many of our offline clients are asking for Facebook Fan Pages.
My main focus of this post is what it takes to grow a big fan page following. Here are my Top 5 and was hoping others could share their ideas. Thanks...

1. The obvious, suggest to friends of personal account attached to the Fan Page. Facebook removed the Suggest to Friends link unless your a Admin, need to make other people with big friend lists Page Admins.

2. Use the @Feature on some of your Wall Posts and get your Fan Page on other high traffic Fan Pages, this can lead to a viral effect.

3. If you have a big e-mail list, create a Custom HTML E-mail, with Aweber or Constant Contact and ask people on your E-mail list to Like the Page.

4. Add the Facebook Developer Widget to your Blog or Website. People can Like Page right from those 2 sources.

5. Create a contest or giveaway to encourage people to join page. We gave away a Free iPad and got 700 Fans in 2 days.

I have more...but want to hear what others are doing? Thanks
#businesses #facebook #marketing #offline or local
  • Profile picture of the author mclpro
    Yes, now only if the Facebook page could be seamlessly connected via QR Code.
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    Dan Verhaeghe
    Marketing Specialist
    McLoughlin Promotions
    http://www.mcloughlin.ca/insights
     http://www.twitter.com/mclpro

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  • Profile picture of the author redcell1
    Here are some of my strategies for facebook clients

    1.) Have facebook only offers/coupons etc. - if you can get your fans/friends to recommend this to everyone then it can get big quickly. I am also testing this with a scarcity factor so once the offer runs out they can be on a waiting list or notification email list of sorts.

    2.) Post interesting info on your wall, communicate with other people and take an interest in them.

    3.) Become friends with other local businesses and interact with them online. (Be Nice)
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    Just here to see the shenanigans.

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    • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
      Originally Posted by redcell1 View Post

      Here are some of my strategies for facebook clients

      1.) Have facebook only offers/coupons etc. - if you can get your fans/friends to recommend this to everyone then it can get big quickly. I am also testing this with a scarcity factor so once the offer runs out they can be on a waiting list or notification email list of sorts.

      2.) Post interesting info on your wall, communicate with other people and take an interest in them.

      3.) Become friends with other local businesses and interact with them online. (Be Nice)
      Great points RedCell, do you know of any good Facebook Apps for loyalty/rewards?
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  • Profile picture of the author IMoptimizer
    All fantastic. I made a fan page for a friends business a while back and I followed pretty much every one of those steps. It is hard when your friends cannot suggest the group to other friends, so I had to make friends admins. It really does help.
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    ---> Internet Marketing MINDSET Blog | Mindset Optimizerâ„¢ Hypnosis Program <---

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  • Profile picture of the author radar9628
    Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

    2. Use the @Feature on some of your Wall Posts and get your Fan Page on other high traffic Fan Pages, this can lead to a viral effect.
    Can you explain what the '@Feature' is please? Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamhelmcor
    I guess we should go for the fan page.
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    • Profile picture of the author trini
      Redcell1 tips are spot on.

      The big brands like red bull and Victoria's secret are already training Mr & Mrs Joe Smith consumers to look for exclusive coupons on their Fan Page.

      Survey stats also point to the desire to get early and exclusive notification on
      sales, deals as a main driver in "liking" a page.
      Add the time urgency by expiring these coupons and you are golden.

      Contests and loyalty rewards are also huge.

      Bring your fans in- feature them on your wall and Side profile.
      Make a few power fans- admins- so you get access to their circle of influence and newsfeeds on FB.

      Check Powerfully Simple Facebook Applications | North Social the FB app suite divine- it is a monthly app- most of the best are or welcome to orange.com is more pricey.

      Ninja tip- Facebook Fan Page Trojans

      Most Fan Page owners get locked into Fan Page myopia- not thinking beyond their own business fan page.

      Step back a moment and think about the evergreen topics and emotions that span across the brotherhood of man: Fear, Sorrow, Hope, Joy, Love, Sex, Gossip.

      These are the emotions behind million fans strong pages like the ones referenced in this thread:

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...mqBWtysxzCokas

      Ok- Michelle- that's cool- but where's the ninja part :rolleyes:

      Here- Viral pages like these quickly roll into hundreds of thousand of users that the Fan page - that the admin can message on Facebook.

      So let's say that you are a local roofing biz.
      How about you start a Fan Page to raise awareness of steps to secure your roof during a tornado or a hurricane or a Fan page showing how a community is rebuilding after a natural disaster that affected roofing.

      If you're a local florist- how about a Fan page on your state's favourite or most popular or most beautiful flowers- let your Fans share their photo albums and videos of their gardens, pics with flowers, favourite floral arrangements etc.

      Can you guarantee which one of these will go viral- no

      But- hey they're free from FB- set up a cluster of Fan pages around hot topics in your niche.

      The key is- once you have the fans- you can send them to any related web property that you choose.

      Of course the usual tactics of adding your Facebook Fan Page url to your sig file, email, business card, QR code - will also create streams of fans over time.

      Stay Sunny,

      Michelle
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      ***FOCUS for your FORTUNE ***
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      • Profile picture of the author radar9628
        Thanks Michelle! I just started working with a custom dress designer (wedding related dresses, prom, 1 of a kind clothing). If I set up related FB fan pages, the topics still needs to be 'professional'. Love & joy seem safe topics. Sex would be a bit racey - unless you have 'safe' ideas. Fear & sorrow would be a bit heavy. Maybe celebrity gossip? Any ideas?
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        • Profile picture of the author Gail Grannum
          Since the recent Facebook Page Upgrade (which becomes official is March 1, 2011), now the admin can interact with other pages using the Page name.

          The ability to Like and post on other pages as under the Facebook Page alias is brand building. You can promote your (clients) business on high trafficked pages.

          This exposure to bring in new fans for your clients.

          You can switch back and forth between identities. Here is how: when you go to Account drop-down and select "Use Facebook as Page"

          Great thread,

          Gail
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  • Profile picture of the author Gunedat
    My facebook marketing strategy is basically the same as with my other projects. Make sure there is a stream of the high quality content. I find it easier with facebook, because you don't need to put up or create those content. You can just put up a blurb, or 200 word note, or share another persons video. Overtime, people will be willing to like and share your page.
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    I Should Put A Sig Here
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    Great points everyone, has anyone used twiends.com - Get more twitter followers to grow page? Not very targeted followers but if you need to get to 25 real quick to get a custom URL, it helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    Who is using Facebook Ads and Custom Welcome Pages to grow Fan Base?
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    Learn Digital, Internet and Social Media Marketing For Your Business
    Click here to learn more - Digital and Social Media Marketing Training Course

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