One of the top questions I always receive when I am presenting as a social media speaker, is how to get more "likes" to your Facebook page. In fact, over the past few weeks I have seen many blog posts with ideas on how you can do this.
As I was reading through more and more blogs addressing this topic, the more frustrated I became by some really bad advice from these bloggers. Joining Facebook like groups where if I like your page you will like mine? Commenting on popular pages as your business with a link back to your page? C'mon, those are some of the worst options out there. To save you from reading a 3,000+ word novel if I wrote out all my thoughts in a blog post, I decided I would take the time to simply put it all on video for you:
Here's the thing with the number of people who "like" your Facebook page. Does it really matter if you have 4,000 fans if nobody ever takes the time to comment or interact on the page? Not a bit. If nobody is reading your content on your business page, it provides zero value to your business. Bigger numbers do not equate to better. Your page will have a greater return to your business with 200 fans that actually participate and pay attention to it than one with 20,000 that ignores everything.
Also, with the dynamics of Facebook and how it is set up, your business page cannot help but to grow if you have active fans there. Every time they comment, their friends (which they say on average everyone now has anywhere from 130-150) see a link posted on their profile. If you get someone commenting 3 times a day on your business page, the natural reaction is for their friends to get nosy and check it out as well. When they see the good content, they "like" the page & join in as well.
So, don't despise small beginnings on a group, and whatever you do, please do not try the spammy ways to grow your Facebook page. Bogus fans and spammy connections are nothing but a bad formula to create a Facebook Page with zero value.
Originally Posted at: 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors
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I am the Co-Founder of 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors. I have traveled the country as a social media speaker. If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this blog, please contact me directly. We specialize in social media training, online consulting, and the creation of your own custom WordPress site.
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I agree completely, in fact this is exacatly the way I feel about Klout, what a useless measure of what one is accomplishing through SM and the internet.
i think it is more harm that good to bother people with facebook, emails, etc. if you good at ur job and you get out to social functions everyone will remember you. it is lazy to just use social media for your marketing... it is a way for companies to make u think u and spend money and get to the buyers and seller.
I do send out an email interenet marketing but about 1-2 ties a yr.. that is it.. people know we are in the real estate business.
everhyone has taken this way too far. I have 6 deals going now... from people i go to farmers market with, happy hr with, and late night parting with. Face to face interaction baby.... i have not had facebook for over 2yrs now... thats how i roll
Hi Jeremy, you are so right that just having lots of likes is not worth much. I really like the idea of the call to action ad......I guess you have to choose pay per click or impression. Which would be the better choice....per click?
If you are doing the CTA type of ad, run it as a ppc ad. Then you pay minimal as not many will actually click on it since it says CALL ME!
Jackson- I think to completely discount FB is a mistake. Or to say SM in general doesn't work or is the Lazy way of building your business. All my business starts with social media. In fact, my real estate blog which I wrote posts on 3+ years ago resulted in a recent listing for my father.
Excellent. Bookmarked, so I can listen later...I'm in Starbucks now so I can't play the video. Excellent point about "fans" vs. those engaged in your content.
Great content as usual, Jeremy...I've been trying out the FB ads on the pay per impression for my very local area and I am seeing additional traffic to my FB page from it, even though I kept my trial budget very low. I'm going to try the Call to Action with my phone and see how that goes as well.
Jeremy, excellent advice..I did join some of the groups Real Estate related and soon found that they were posting all sorts of stuff and did not go well with my blog object. I have bookmarked it to re-list.
Jeremy....I recently subscribed to your Blog and this recent (I "Suggested" it) is exactly why!! GREAT information and so well explained! THNAK you...THANK you....THANKS you!!!
p.s....am re-blogging to my Home Stager Groups!
Jeremy - I really enjoyed your video and how well you explained how to look at promoting your facebook page. I'm taking a lot away from this and feeling much better about my approach - thank you! ~ Anne Marie
Thanks for the Suggest Kathy!
Jeremy, I really appreciated this. I really need to work on getting more folks to participate in my business page. thanks.
Cal
Jeremy - I created a FB page that was about my community and laid low for a long time before I began to post listings on it. It now has 1004 fans, which is pretty cool for a community of 9,000 households. You have to decide who your target audience is. I'd rather have 1,000 people interested in my community on my FB business page than 100,000 people who will never buy a home in my area. Excellent advice!
Thinking of me in that video, huh?! That Charlotte NC Realtor would love to help! Like Gail, it's all about those who are serious 'lookers' and not the voyers or those who like your page just because you asked them to. They'll never be back!
Try ro be informative and interesting on all social media. Give people valuable information.
Jeremy, great information as usual. The information your sharing is valuable on what to do with FB.
It all comes back to leading with the giving hand and be a relevant, useful reesource for people (and their friends) who need your help.
Hi Jeremy, so true about the no commenting issues. I feel like it is a waste. Great video with so much information, I need to listen again.
One more way to tick off Facebook fans -- ask completely stupid questions that are geared only towards building your Klout score. All that really does is create a lot of digital noise.
You defininitely have to do more than just post listings, you have to start a conversation.
Well put. I'm no expert on this topic, but I've had good success with my facebook fan page by providing content and posting questions. Joining 'like groups' certainly sounds spammy to me.
Bookmarked for later so I can watch the video - thanks for sharing.
Good stuff, Jeremy. I will definitely bookmark this for future viewing. There's a lot of info out there. Some good, some not so good, but most is time consuming. Definitely want the biggest bang for the buck!!
Jeremy, good information! I will check out the video later today. Boodmarked! Thanks.
Jeremy, thanks so much for the great tips. Some of them I think a lot of us know, but have maybe forgotten. This was great content!
Thanks for the info Jeremy. How's life in Myrtle? I am from there and lived there for 30 years.
Jerry! Thanks for the video, Now I really understand Face Book Pages.... I never saw the use in them because I could see the negatives of which you spoke. Now I am ready to do something with my Face Book Page!
I'd like to rename it to something else.... it is forming in my brain but it is still too early for me to see or hear it.
Couldn't agree more Jeremy. Getting "likes" and "fans" is all about interaction and connection with your followers. Engage, ask questions, and listen. Wel done.
It makes complete sense that the interaction is what we are looking for not just a number of fans to our page. It's like having a lot of points here on ActiveRain but never getting any business from it, it just doesn't make much sense.
Great post! I don't spend a lot of time on facebook and really don't know much about it. I'll have to review several blogs and discussion on creating business pages and making facebook work for me.
Thanks everyone for the comments! Glad you are all agreeing with me!
It is Jeremy all about social interaction that is valid. Thanks for your tutorial. Genuine reciprocity. No one wants to be spammed with your own links. Content, and also targeting for positive reasons is the way to build awareness.
Hi Jeremy, great post about the FB pages. I have several pages for different areas they are still works in progress. One of them has like 3x more fans than the other, and that is one I'm not really focused on, it has a life of its own.
Hi Jeremy.I too agree that it is best to take the interactive approach as opposed to being a spammer. It is interesting how many of these ideas become an entity of their own as people feel more and more comfortable (and in many cases important) in using them.
Bruce
Great stuff, Jeremy! I find my head spinning when trying to comprehend all of this, but you've definitely cleared things up; at least a little. I'm gonna be trying some of these strategies soon!
Jeremy thank you for taking the time to post this video. I will admit I have been one of those doing the "What Not To Do" things and have not put much thought into the "What To Do" items. I am going to change my ways about using my page and I am also going to repost this blog as I know I'm not the only one that has been doing it all wrong!
TThanks for the information today Jeremy. I have bookmarked this for future reference.
Patricia Aulson/ Seacoast NH & ME
Jeremy, thanks for the informative video. I see people make the mistakes you outlined all the time making me reluctant to join them. Collecting names without any relationship seems pointless.
Jeremy, engaging the people on our business page is difficult. I don't care how many join, I just want them to "talk" to me!
I have a Facebook business page and would like it to grow the "right way." I want to generate business! This was very informative.
Great advise Jeremy as always. I love reading your post, they are always so informative and the pros know that "you know your stuff"!
Katrina Madewell
Jeremy...I am going back and read all your posts since they are so informative. I always learn some new thing everytime I read one...thank you!
Jeremy, I had a post today on my FB Friday page and thought I would come over to read what you had to say. Each week I get a FB update on my Business page, and says WHERE the leads are coming from. I started my Business Fan Page with MY CLIENTS, and some local Realtors, so we could share our listings, just in case we have buyers for each other. Then, FB Fridays came out. When you look at the results, it does give us positive feedback with having more LIKES, but understand Realtors and Affiliates across the Country will not do much to help sell our properties.
Jeremy-Thanks for the advice and for the informative video.
Jeremy - Thank you for the detailed quality blog about three ways to tick off your facebook fans.