We have all learnt by rote that Facebook can be a healthy tool for online brand leverage. Many startups and small business units are turning to Facebook for this purpose. Random ‘friend adds’ and creating events/group pages later, they are still stuck in the rut with Facebook! That is because like every other online tool, Facebook follows its own grammar. You cannot force people to be associated with your online business or ‘like’ or ‘share’ your web pages. You have to engage them. Here’s how.
Update your status messages with posts that tie with events of the day or those coming up around the corner. People feel an instant connect with such updates. They want to share their two-pence with you by commenting on your post. That sparks off a discussion with other members joining in as well. A continued debate on your page is what you need to engage others on your list and also to keep the interest alive in your brand.
Photos can speak a thousand words. That’s a cliché but you cannot walk around it! Photos can really generate the interest of people on your Facebook page. Do not wash off your hands by only uploading the photos. Attach catchy captions and also ask others to share their photos. You are looking at ways to keep people interested and there is no better way to do it than encouraging them to contribute in some way. People like that sense of belonging with a brand name.
Short updates are the order of the day. Studies have revealed that shorter status updates can entice people to respond more (23% more, to be exact). Lengthy updates, however, taper off toward the end, leaving the user confused about what point you were trying to make. Lengthy updates also mean that you are diluting the impact of it.
Get people onboard by running contests and opinion polls. Engaging your network is important and you can do so by asking about what they feel. People like to feel that their opinion counts when it comes to brands. They want to have a say. Opinion polls achieve that. Similarly, getting people to write captions for photos or brand ads will also enable them to think constructively about your brand. They will ‘share’ this opportunity in their personal circles as well. That will get you the Facebook advantage that you are looking to weigh in.
