Facebook for Business Checklist

It can be a challenge to figure out what to post on your Facebook business page.  What type of information will keep your audience engaged?  This checklist includes tips on what to post, how to post it and the most effective ways to create a Facebook presence that will benefit your business.

• Share information.  When you come across something online that is interesting and relates to your business, share the link.  Become the resource for travel tips, DIY repairs or gardening info – whatever your thing is.  Your audience will come back for more and share your links with others.

• Be sure your branding is consistent.  Incorporate the logo and design elements from your website into your Facebook page.   Also, create a “landing” page that welcomes new visitors.  Even better – on your landing page, offer something of value related to your business.

• Share items that are funny and relatable.  Sometimes you come across a funny YouTube video, cartoon or new invention that doesn’t directly connect to your business.   That’s ok.  As long as it’s tasteful, share it anyway!  These are conversation starters.  Remember, you’re building relationships.

• Ask questions that are easy to answer.  Asking an open-ended question makes people think too much and chances are, they won’t take the time to answer.  There’s just too much to look at and become distracted by on Facebook. Ask questions that can be quickly and simply answered, or ask multiple-choice questions and set up a poll.  Then follow up with a status related to the most popular answer and stick around to see what your readers have to say. Have a conversation!

• Use proper grammar and spelling.  Avoid text-type shorthand at all cost (for example, rather than using the letter “u” for “you”, the number “2” for the word “to”).  Spell everything out!  You may be updating your page from your smartphone, but you are not texting.  This is the face of your business, and some visitors are seeing your online presence for the first time.  Think about the impression you want to make.  If you are not confident in your spelling or grammar usage, consider hiring someone to handle your social media.

• Keep business on your Facebook business page – not your personal one.  When someone “likes” your business page, they are essentially opting in to hear business updates.  When someone friend requests you or accepts yours, they are not.  That being said, it’s completely appropriate to mention accomplishments or projects on your personal page – once in a while.

• Support other entrepreneurs.  Share accomplishments, awards, product launches or articles of fellow entrepreneurs. How good does it feel when someone unexpectedly gives you a mention?  Reciprocate, and pay it forward.

• Share links to articles and pages from your website.  This seems pretty obvious – but believe it or not, some people don’t do this.  If you’ve written a blog post, share it!  Either link to it on your Facebook page, or use an app like Networked Blogs to automatically feed each post.

• Keep promotions and marketing to your own page.   It can be tempting to promote your business on another business Facebook page, but think of it this way… when was the last time you responded positively to that type of sales technique?  Keep this in mind when you are tempted to “hijack” another person’s post with self-promotion.   Why not just post a comment using your business page name?  If their friends find you interesting, they’ll find the way to your page.

• Post your accomplishments, awards and new products.  However, don’t make every post a boastful one.  Once in a while, it’s nice to mention an accomplishment, award or new product – and you should.  You want your customers and potential customers to know that your business is reputable and successful.  Just be sure to sprinkle in some humor, information and questions as well.

• Keep your posts positive and not cryptic or offensive. It’s ok to be a little mysterious…  “Working on an exciting new project!” is great, but posts including things like political commentary, for example, can be a turn-off, whether or not the reader agrees with you.  Also, think before you post a complaint about a customer, vendor or colleague.  It could leave your customers wondering what you will say about them if you have a disagreement.

• Create an inclusive environment.  You may have some visitors that comment regularly – and it’s great to engage them. However, be careful that you are not creating a space where you are having conversations with only a few people.  Create a welcoming environment that invites anyone visiting the page for the first time to jump in and join the conversation.

• Post photos, artwork, quotes or articles  – but remember attribution.  Whenever possible – credit the author of the photo, quote or article.  Imagine how it would feel to see your words, photograph or artwork posted somewhere without your name attached to it.

• Pay attention to your readers.  If a reader posts a question on your wall, answer it – publicly.   You may want to send them a message with specifics about their question  – and feel free to do that – but say something like, “Thanks for your question!  My answer is a bit long, so I’ll message you”.  You don’t want to be viewed as someone who has no interest in what their audience has to say.

One thing is for sure:  Social Media is here to stay.  You never know what kind of connections you may make through Facebook.

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