One million fans: what’s the point? Besides bragging rights, Facebook fan count doesn’t mean much if you’re not engaging your fans and solidifying your brand.

You want “real” fans, not fly-by “likes.” Real fans are the ones who interact with you online, recommend you to their friends, and turn to you first when they need your products or services.

The only way you can build a fan base of real fans is to offer a top quality product or service. That’s what any marketing strategy ultimately comes back to: customer experience.

So what’s the customer experience like on your Facebook page? Are you a silent observer? A megaphone blasting out self-promotions? A hot-and-cold mix of intense posting for a few weeks followed by months of silence?

There’s two things you’ve gotta know about Facebook social strategy.

1. It’s about the fans, folks.

The first thing is that it’s all about your fans. That means you need to know your audience. What do they like? What don’t they like? Where do their interests match up with your brand?

If you sell home goods, try focusing your Facebook posts on decorating and interior design. If you provide handyman services, offer quick and easy tips for home maintenance.

The point of your Facebook page is to engage your fans by starting a conversation, offering exclusive content, and letting your fans get to know the people (think personality) behind your brand. People don’t engage with a product or service; they engage with the people who provide that product or service.

2. Consistency is key.

The second thing is that you need to be consistent. Random posting will get you nowhere. Once you build a fan base, you need to engage your fans and keep them engaged if you want to be effective in the social realm.

The best way we know how to do this is to create a social calendar. Brainstorm ideas for posting, questions to ask your fans, exclusive content you can provide, prizes you can offer, and breaking news about your business. Schedule it out in advance. That gives you one less excuse to ignore your Facebook page (i.e. “I don’t know what to post!).

Then add in a little spontaneity with spur-of-the-moment snapshots posted from your smartphone, interesting tidbits about your day, and new topics based on comments left by your fans.

Minneapolis Marketing

Need help with your Facebook marketing strategy? Our social media experts can help you boost your fan base, engage your customers, and build your brand loyalty. Give us a call to get started at (763) 548-2297 or contact us by email.

Photo Credits: Steve Todey