It’s 2013 and you have not yet created a Facebook page for your business. Yikes! I’m not going to lecture you on the importance of using Facebook. I’m not going to tell you about the millions of targets that are having a party without you on Facebook. Likely, you already know these things and I’m just glad your here.
Now that you are ready to start using Facebook to promote your business, you can use the following roadmap to get you there:
Step 1: Open the “Create a Facebook Page” Link
To start your Facebook journey, go to the following webpage:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
Note: You must have a personal Facebook page and be logged in to create your business page.
Step 2: Select a Classification
Once on the “Create a Page” page, you will be asked to choose from the six classifications listed below. Choosing the right classification is important because it helps Facebook match you up people using their search functionality. Also, different classifications get different sections and fields on their page relevant to their type of organization. Which one of the 6 classifications does your business fall in>?
- Local business or place
- Artist, band, or public figure
- Company, organization, or institution
- Entertainment
- Brand or product
- Cause of community
Step 3: Choose your Category and Name
Now that you have selected your classification, the next step is to select your category. You’ll also be prompted to enter your company’s name or your product’s name. Choose carefully because this CANNOT be changed later.
Step 4: Add Basic Information
At this point, Facebook is going to ask you to complete the about section and upload your picture.
Your about section needs to quickly tell your visitors on Facebook what your company or product does and how it will benefit them. If you have a standard 30 second commercial for your business, this is a great place to put it. Be sure to add a link to your company’s webpage.
The picture that Facebook will ask you to upload is a small 180 x 180 profile photo. This photo will be visible in several places. For one, it will show up in the bottom-left hand corner of your Facebook cover image, above your timeline. It will also be used each time you leave a comment or post a status update. Depending upon your branding, photo can be a picture of you, but it is more commonly your company’s logo. Alternatively, you can use the Facebook profile image to display a special promotion.
Step 5: Add your Facebook Cover Image
The Facebook Cover image is that long image that spans the entire width of your Facebook page. It is the first thing that your vistors will see which means that it is one of the most important elements of your Facebook page. This image should be 851 x 315 and needs to visually captivate targets when they visit your webpage. Take notes from other Facebook cover images and get creative with yours.
Step 6: Create Custom Tabs
If you have gotten this far, you are already a Facebook rockstar! This step will put you into an small, elite group of small businesses who know about this amazing Facebook feature called “custom tabs”. When you look under your Facebook cover, you should see 4 thumbnails- one of them includes the number of “Likes” that you have on your page. These boxes can hold any information that you desire. From events, photos, groups, to your own custom app- the possibilities of this feature are endless.
Step 7: Post to Your Facebook Wall
Now that your page is set up, it’s time to start adding great content that is of interest to your targets. Think about the type of things they might be interested in and try and create posts centered around that. Vary the type of content that you use as much as possible. In addition to just posting text, try adding images or infographics, posting video, or sharing links that you find thought provoking. You should ask questions too. A recent Hubspot study showed that Facebook users are more likely to respond to questions than to posts.
And don’t forget, your Facebook page is a great place to share announcements and news about your business, events, and products. Engaged targets want to know what’s going on with you and your organization.
Step 8: Just Add Fans
After you have created your Facebook page, it’s time to invite users and start engaging. You can start by inviting your own Facebook contacts to like your page and become fans. Ask them to spread the word and join your conversation. You can also integrate the Facebook like button into your website and emails to get more engagement. If you want to take it a step further, check out Facebook’s advertising tools that allow you to promote your business page the “old fashioned” way.
[...] Really, it is…promise. Facebook walks you through each step and before you know it your business logo is uploaded, your About section is filled in, and you’ve got a handful of ”likes.” Remember this is your Facebook Business Page for building your tutoring business, so you’re not looking for any “friends” here, just “fans” who will “like” your Page. For tips on setting up your Facebook Business Page, check out Edit-Ability, Inc. [...]