Facebook has created a platform that allows you to put a business profile on their network, you can have a business page which in essence is a webpage within Facebook.

What are the benefits? The main one is the fact that people who like your page (used to be referred to as fans) can contribute to your page – posting their own content out there for everyone to see. Ideally you want to see content related to your business or group topic, but you may find people networking with each other there as well. Be ready to welcome it all, have your business support the networking that occurs on your page.

What you are trying to do is build up a community of brand advocates – people that like your brand, your content, your services and products. You want people talking about your business and in a positive way. A Facebook Page is a place that allows these types of connections and opportunities to happen.

Before you create a Page on Facebook you should research to determine if it is worth taking this step, you need to realize with it comes a commitment to use the network on a regular basis. You will need to have a strategy thought out and planned. When planning a social media strategy with clients, we look at seven areas to include in our overall Facebook Page Plans. The primary one being your PURPOSE and this is the one that all other areas rely on.

Your purpose will help differ your Facebook Page from your website and competitor’s pages and make it attractive to people to join. You want people joining and interacting – your purpose will help with this. Give people a reason to connect – whether it’s for information and tips, a weekly discount coupon code to use in your store, no matter if you are an online or a brick and mortar store (coupons are fabulous for building interest and loyalty) or other innovative ways to connect with your audience. These extras will be the reasons people continue to watch your page and engage.

Facebook users need a reason to join you. Think like your clients. What benefit will people get from joining your page? Most people will think this way when making a decision to join a page or group on Facebook. Your purpose for having a Facebook Page will answer this question and users will understand the benefits to them and want to join you.

Specialising in Social Media, my Facebook Page is all about helping people learn tips and tricks to using social media and I open it up to questions from others as well. If your business is swimming pools you would look at giving people information on maintaining pools and maybe how to make the choices and decision on what type to install. Do you offer training programs in certain area of business? Then give them insight into the course by offering up tidbits of inform meant to make people want more, to contact you to keep on learning.

As the business owner you should also be looking to join other pages – or groups – if the audience may be part of your target market. This means taking the time to comment on their wall and participate so that the members will get to know you. In these situations you want to ensure your content posted gives a view into your knowledge, expertise and business – then people will look to you for more info. When searching fro pages or groups to join you will note how a defined purpose can make a difference in how you view other pages.

That is how people view pages and groups and why you need to keep all this in mind as you create your own page.

There is a limit to how many pages a Facebook user can ‘like’ which is why your page needs to stand out and really showcase its Purpose. Plan it out and the first step slowly and with purpose, your page will see success if you do.

I invite you to receive a free copy of my Social Media DO’s and DOn’ts Guide – Perfect for Beginners! You can access this at Social Media VA Resources

If you are new to Social Media, join our Facebook Page to network and learn tips and tricks to use on your Social Media networks. From Kathy Colaiacovo, Social Media Virtual Assistant