I see many small business owners creating a Facebook Fan Page and not know or understand what to do with it. Facebook, as all social media platforms, is to create a community of people engaging in social interactions. Facebook is not to be used as a billboard advertising your company but to engage with followers and create genuine relationships.

Below, I am going to share with you the top 3 mistakes you may be making with your business using Facebook so you can start using Facebook effectively for your business.

Mistake #1:  Posting only about your business.

Using your Facebook Fan Page (or profile) to advertise your current blog, specials, or only news about your business will turn people away. Why is this? As I mentioned above, Facebook is meant to be about social interactions. If people feel that you are not sincere and only a “salesperson” they have no relationship with you and will tune out or even unsubscribe from you. Think about it, if you meet someone at a networking event and they only talk about themselves and you feel they are a “pushy” salesperson pushing their products and services on you, do you stay engaged? Do you want to do business with them? Probably not.

The best advice is the 80/20 rule. 80% of your material and postings should be information related only. For example, if you find an interesting video or article, share it and ask a probing question. Ask people to comment or what they think about the video? Remember, it is ALL about social interaction.

Mistake #2:  Not answering or responding to posts or comments from other people.

If you are not responding to people’s comments or posts, you are ignoring potential clients and customers. If you are asking a probing question, or someone posts on your wall, answer them or thank them for their insight. This really is just common courtesy. If you are talking to someone in person and they make a comment or ask you a question, it would be rude not to respond, right? It is the same thing on Facebook.

When you respond to people, you are showing them that you are a “real, live person” and not just a faceless company. This is developing your relationship with your followers, who could be potential clients. Also, respond to them in a timely manner. Responding only once per week is a no-no, by then the person who commented has already “checked out”. Within 24 hours is optimal (especially Monday-Friday).

Mistake #3:  Not being consistent with your posts.

Are you an occasional poster? Then you are not using Facebook to its full potential. Most people are not on Facebook looking at their newsfeed 24/7. Many will pop on and off throughout the day and night. If you only post once per week, how many people are actually seeing your post? Not many.

I highly recommend posting at least 2 times per day (make sure you revisit Mistake #1 above if you are only posting about your business). Then you are widening the amount of people who may see your posts, so they can respond.

Facebook is a wonderful platform to gain potential clients and customers, especially if you stay engaged with your followers and create a community. Try to think about how you would engage with people in person and use similar strategies. Be yourself. Be real and authentic.

If this seems overwhelming for you, then hire a consultant to help you wade through the Social Media waters. Contact me today for a free, no-obligation phone call to assess your needs and how I can help you stay engaged to your prospects and clients.