The Truth About Marketing Your Business on Facebook

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There are a ton of social networking web sites that you can become a part of today like Plaxo and Linked In, and they all have their pluses and minuses. The best way to choose a community to become a part of is to evaluate the people who hang out there. In my opinion, Facebook is quite possibly the best internet destinations for networking, both socially and professionally. I also use Linked In and Myspace. Of all the social networks, Facebook is the best site when it comes to all around marketing and networking.

I have been using Facebook for the past two years, and it is a great tool for marketing to add to your marketing strategy. Following are 10 tips to use on Facebook to introduce new people to your for FREE!

1. Make an Attractive Profile: This is the FIRST thing that you must do to make an impression on Facebook . Think of your Facebook profile as part of your branding strategy. A strong profile will include a picture of you. Don't use the one of you dressed as Santa Claus, unless that's what your selling. Make sure your new Facebook profile is complete. Your profile should include your contact information, your website address (this is really important), education, work experience and your personal interests. A complete profile is the only way to go.

2. Add Friends: This is the really cool part - the ability meet new people, build relationships and sustain them. The more relationships you start, the more effective your marketing efforts will be. You can use Facebook's own tools to find friends that have already joined Facebook. Once you add your friends, you can search for people with similar interests. Make their acquaintance, become their friend, build a relationship. One great thing on Facebook is that you can see friends of your friends. This will help you build a whopping network in no time.

3. Join Groups on Facebook: You can join groups on Facebook that are complementary to what you do. There are groups for authors, communities, and fitness gurus. Almost every supposable kind of professional service provider has some type of group on Facebook. I belong to many groups and have made dozens of new contacts this way.

4. Create your Own Group: Can’t find a group that really fits your style? Create your own! You can add members, publish articles, begin some great discussions, and more than likely acquaint yourself with lots of new people. And even if you find good group to belong to, start your own. This gives you the chance to be the guru!

5. Syndicate your Blog Using RSS: You can syndicate your own blog on your Facebook profile page. This essentially means that every time you make a post, it will automatically show up on your profile page. More Exposure equals More Readers equals More Leads equals More Business. And the bonus is the back links to your site. I syndicate headlines from my three blogs on Facebook.

6. Reach OUT and Touch Someone: Are you a fan or devotee of someone’s work? Reach out to them on Facebook! Lots of my business contacts check their Facebook messages more regularly than their email. They are also more likely to respond to Facebook messages. Don’t feel comfortable sending out a message to someone you don’t know? Don't worry! Leave them a “just saying hi!” message on their wall. All Facebook profiles come with “virtual walls” where friends and acquaintances can leave messages. The more messages you leave on your friend's Facebook profile page the more exposure you get!

7. List your Events: Launching your new Product or Service? Add an events page and invite all your friends and acquaintances. You can even see how many people RSVPed and get feedback from your guests. Marketing doesn’t get any simpler (or cheaper!) than this.

8. Send Virtual Gifts: Want to show your appreciation for someone? Send them a virtual gift. You can choose from a teddy bear to a potted plant that actually sits on the your friends profile and grows over time (plus tons of others). With all the third party applications for gift giving available, what are you waiting for. This is a sure fire way to "win friends and influence people"!

9. Use Some Cool Apps: Facebook has literally a ton of applications that were built just for the site. Quotes, quizzes, games and more. When you use an application, you get to invite your friends to use these interesting mini applications (Apps). So just like number 8 above, this allows you another way to stay in touch with your friends on Facebook. Again, this helps you build and nurture new relationships.

10. Build a Community: Perhaps Facebook’s greatest benefit is that it allows you to build a community. It intoduces you to a group of people who are constantly linked to you, and they are open to hearing your message. Write on people’s walls, acknowledge their comments, and introduce them to each other. Start building your brand and leveraging Facebook for business building!

Facebook is a wonderful place to meet a ton of new people who may also become customers and/or clients. Just remember one thing: don't get too carried away and spend all your time there. Facebook is a tool, part of your business plan. Use the tips above, use them wisely and have a little fun at the same time.
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Lennie Appelquist is the Owner of FreeMarket Media Group. FreeMarket Media Group is dedicated to helping individuals and small businesses generate leads, convert those leads in customers/clients and build a web presence that works for them. We can show you how to make your online business profitable - IMMEDIATELY.