How do Businesses Amass Friends on Facebook?

[timesheets]

I hear facebook is great for business but once I've got it set up where do I get my friends?

Thanks
timesheets.com

[Sifeconcordia]

In order to promote your business on Facebook, it is best to create a Fan Page and not register as a user.

Once you've created a Fan Page, let your current clients know that you have created a Facebook page and that they should become Fans of it. Provide some incentive for joining such as a 10% discount for Facebook Fans.

Utilize other social media to drive traffic to this page by creating a blog to attract followers or even a Twitter account to discuss topics related to your business.

If you are just starting, I suggest networking and telling people to join your page. You can also contact your friends and have them join and tell them to invite their friends that may be interested in your business.

Hope this helps. Feel free to message me for any further information.

[tilva]

Inc.com's Social Media Guide for Small Business: How to Advertise on Facebook here is a great start

[tilva]

another good article How to Use Social Networking Sites to Drive Business

[timesheets]

I really appreciate the link. I will read those today!

[timesheets]

Thanks a lot for the link. I will check that out today!

[slckfielder08]

Ok. What do you do if your page plateaus? Say you have 89 fans and no one else is joining. There are maybe 50 new views a day and no one is becoming a fan? Or what if there are only 4 people who contribute. How do you get others to communicate?

[Chaseb731]

I wouldn't suggest a fan page but a business page. Then I would suggest creating a custom page instead of just using the stock one with photos.

Notes application – This application allows you to automatically import an RSS feed from your blog onto your Page. This way, when you publish a blog post, it gets published instantly on your Wall tab.

Static FBML – This application gives you limitless ability to create custom Facebook Page tabs that link to various parts of your website.

Networked Blogs – This application serves a similar purpose to the Notes Application, but with the added benefit of creating a community around your blog by allowing readers of your blog.

If people are real fans, they’ll want to share what you have – either through messaging their friends, or posting to their profile. All you have to do is ask. (click the share button).

If you liked this then see my signature.

[slckfielder08]

I already have those features. Just because you have those features and are constantly communicating with your fans doesn't mean more people will join. I guess I was wondering if anyone knew of any tactics to generate more traffic to the page.

[Chaseb731]

1. link on your site
2. Facebook Fan Box
3. Author Bio section on articles/Blog
4. Email newsletters
5. Other social media profiles
6. Google Profile (which is getting more attention now as a result of Google Buzz)
7. Signage
8. Email Signatures
9. Advertisements

- Participate and make it routine
- Ask questions
- Host events on your page
- Highlight contributions from others
- Go beyond just text
- Integrate your other online presences
- Take it easy with apps, boxes, etc.
- Run offline events, if you can

[Alvin McCoy]

Networking via your personal profile is a good option. Keep an eye out for like minded people on facebook groups. Connect with them, and be sure to be courteous and resourceful, let them know that your reason to connect is networking.

As your network grows, periodically invite your contacts to become fans of your page, again making sure that you do not flood someone with requests.

Lastly, and most importantly, provide resources to your audience on your fan page in order to engage them, and get them to interact via conversations. This will automatically keep increasing your page's popularity once you're off the ground.

And of course, as mentioned, Static FBML and Networked Blogs are great applications to interlink your website/blog with your fan page.

Alvin