Is Facebook something your business needs?

Ten uses of Facebook as a marketing tool taken from the article at business.sypatico.msn.ca (see link above):

1. Facebook is a soft sell through engagement. Point fans to your company blog or contest.

2. Offer something of value, expect nothing in return. Use Facebook as a brand awareness tool.

3. Ask for referrals: referrals from friends or fans are still the most trusted.

4. Provide interactivity with applications or polls; it’ll drive word of mouth.

5. Build a Facebook page with a widget and Facebook ad. Build the relationship. Keep it edgy with the audience in mind.

6. Use status updates to disseminate information about self/business. “Sarah is in Vancouver for a business meeting. Call me if in town” or “Jim is congratulating Jane on her recent promotion.”

7. Incorporate the tools you’re already using into your profile. Do you blog, Twitter, Pownce or Jaiku? Do you read feeds? There are Facebook apps available for all these services. If you have already used these tools professionally, why not add them to your Facebook profile?

8. Make it personal: focus on the human element of your business and products, and your employees. When consumers can relate personally to a business or product, they are more likely to promote it and feel a stronger connection.

9. Update your business page frequently. The more often you add content, the more customers will return.

10. Choose the right Facebook applications. There are thousands of free applications on Facebook, but that doesn’t mean every one of them should have a place on your business page.

Tagged as: Facebook, Marketing, Social network, Twitter