Facebook Fan Page vs. Facebook Group
Facebook has two major tools that are particularly useful for getting your business name out: Fan Pages and Groups. These are two different types of pages with different permissions for each.
Facebook Fan Page
Fan Pages are indexed and therefore visible to people even if they don’t have a Facebook account. Fan Pages are like normal Facebook Profiles, but for companies, brands, and organizations. Fan Pages are better for the long term relationship with your customers because it allows them the freedom to post on your wall, send messages, accept invitations, and upload pictures. Any updates you make to your Fan Page will appear in the newsfeed on the wall of anyone who has become your fan, so it is a great way to advertise an upcoming sale or promotion. It free advertising, targeted to your customers and market, making it a no-brainer for any business. Through Facebook Fan Page Notes you can make your blog post auto-post your new content to your Fan Page automatically. There are many outside services that will allow you to auto-post to your Fan Page but be careful to avoid double posting the same content and annoying your fans. I have been guilty of this in the past.
Another cardinal sin of Facebook is bugging people to join your Fan Page too much. Ask once! Maybe ask again in a couple of months if you have something interesting to promote. I know one business that irritated people by asking for Fans so much that someone in the Facebook community started a backlash Facebook Group that soon had more members than the irritating Fan Page in hours.
To create a Fan Page go to facebook.com/pages/create.php
Facebook Group
Groups pages have a more limited feature set. A Group Page is little more than an advanced chat room, but it does have a few valuable uses. For example, Group Pages allow you to send out bulk invites, and any group member can in turn send out bulk invites to their friends, increasing the Groups value as a viral marketing platform. Use a Group Page to promote a specific event, like an opening or a new product launch and its viral nature will give you maximum exposure without spending a dime. Groups are also great for bringing attention to a cause or a problem-especially useful if your business is providing the solution. Use a Group Page to start an active discussion and gain quick attention.
To create a group you go to facebook.com/groups/create.php
Video
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Article – How to Manage Facebook’s Newest Privacy Settings
Additional Resources
As always Connections is happy to answer questions and assist you in any way we can to get your e-business up and running over the competition. Contact us at service@ConnectionsIS.com.
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