12 Most Powerful Ways to Create Facebook Engagement

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Social media is an excellent tool for building your business, and many business professionals have learned the value of reaching out with their message through a Facebook fan page. By making your site a destination for timely information and engaging interaction, you increase business opportunities and boost your recognition factor.

1. Set up an attractive timeline

Facebook is a visual medium. Make sure your page includes links to webinars that you have conducted, upcoming events you are hosting, YouTube videos, as well as in-depth information about products and services.

2. Keep it fresh

Post daily and keep your content fresh and relevant. Change up your posts by using images, links, video and other media to monitor what works best in your community.

3. Maximize your marketing value

Use your cover image as a marketing tool, but be mindful of Facebook’s strict cover image guidelines. The cover image allows you to display a photo that is unique to your business, including anything from your “fan of the month” to an upcoming product or event. You also want to update your cover frequently to keep your page fun and interesting.

4. Use images to draw fans in

As Pinterest has proven, consumers love eye candy. Use images that are a banquet for the eyes. The goal here is to choose a beautiful photograph that will immediately intrigue and delight the eye.

5. Put in the time

It is a given that receiving comments, likes and shares are the goal of your page, so make it a priority to put time and effort into the construction of each post. Hopping on Facebook and throwing up a quick post is not a marketing strategy.

6. Engagement is an active sport

Visit your page frequently and actively connect with your fans. Engaging daily with your community is the quickest and most effective way to build trust and credibility.

7. Create conversation starters

Invite feedback by asking open ended questions that can lead to long and lively discussions. Ask for responses — simply ending your message with a “what do you think?” or “do you agree?” can often get the party started.

8. Build a following by “going viral”

The multiplication possibilities via Facebook are similar to the magic of compound interest. Here’s how it works: When your friends and fans repost and comment on your page, the information spreads to their friends’ lists, and can be picked up repeatedly by another “generation” of friends. In that manner, the reach of your message can be unlimited. This is the Facebook version of “going viral.”

9. Make it easy to react

The more entertaining your posts are and the easier they are to react to (think short and sweet), the more likely it becomes that your reach will naturally expand through multiple re-postings. Use “yes or no” and “this or that” type questions to allow fans to quickly react without having to think through a long response.

10. Inject humor into your page

A humorous message that makes your community laugh will often engage an audience in a way that keeps readers coming back. If people look forward to your posts, it is a hook that strengthens the ties to your page. Just be careful when using humor and keep it appropriate for your audience.

11. Use testimonials

Testimonials extolling the virtues of your business go a long way in building credibility. Do not discount the power past client testimonials have in adding social proof to your sales and service claims.

12. Be responsive

Always monitor your fan page so that you can respond to questions and comments quickly. It keeps the discussion and interest up, shows appreciation for those who are reaching out to you, and is the ideal opportunity to engage with new people.

Facebook is about connecting socially and can be a powerful networking tool if you focus your efforts on building and maintaining an entertainingly informative fan page. I would love to hear how you are using Facebook in your business. Comment and share below!

Featured image courtesy of Flabber DeGasky via Creative Commons.

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Rebekah Radice

http://rebekahradice.com/

Rebekah is the Manager of Industry Engagement for Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate and serves as “the voice” behind the brand. As someone that manages social media on a daily basis, her goal is to help you stop those time sucking activities and maximize, prioritize and monetize your online efforts!