From college students and working professionals, all the way to retirees and senior citizens, there’s no doubt that just about everyone has a Facebook account nowadays. It is a great avenue to find old friends and catch up with new ones, update your contacts with the latest events of your life, and share personal photos. Of course, if you have a business or an organization, Facebook also spells out an undeniably prominent social site where you can really expand your network of friends and promote yourself, your products or services. If you maximize its marketing potential, having a Fan page on Facebook will definitely help you have more exposure—which, over time, may generate more profits.
So how exactly do you create a fan page? Well, making one is relatively easy enough; you can find the option for it right on the homepage of Facebook. What is crucial is to make it stand out so you draw the attention of a large community—and get people to join and visit the page on a regular basis. Here are a couple of ideas to help you:

1. 1. Create a Welcome tab – A Facebook page that says “Howdy” to all the new comers is both welcoming and a good opportunity to let them know what they can find on your page. Utilize it to express the benefits of joining your page, promote special campaigns you’ve got going on at the moment, anything you like. Welcome new fans to your home on Facebook.

1. 2. Network to obtain the right following – Spend time every week finding and friending people who are influencers and who have large followings. Try to follow people who seem interested in the same field in which you do business. Set yourself a goal or quota of 50 new friends per week. Every time someone accepts your friend request, that action appears on their wall and subtly encourages their friends to take a look at you. Occasionally post a link to your Fan Page directly onto your own profile wall with a friendly invitation to all to join you there and give a your profile friends little taste of what you write about on your Fan Page.

1. 3. Have something new. If your fan page has been around for some time, you may be complacent to leave it as it is—which is the opposite of what you should be doing. Once in a while, have something new on your page. Apart from posting updates, it’s good to have a new video, article, tips and inspirational quotes on your fan page on a consistent basis. This will contribute in making your fan page always appear fresh and upbeat and keep your visitors coming back to your fan page. Create live discussions on your page by both utilizing the status feature and also the discussions app. Get your fans involved in your discussions, ask for their feedback, show them you care about what they have to say. Enable a free flow of conversation even if you don’t like to hear what is being said by some folks. Use this opportunity to listen to what people have to say and take control of the conversation. Be happy for the opportunity you’ve been given to win them back as customers. Always make sure to be attentive, patient and answer as quickly as possible. Remember that Facebook doesn’t sleep.

Having a Facebook fan page doesn’t cost anything. And if you take the time to customize or personalize it, a fan page can very well spell the difference between a mediocre attempt to reach your network, or a conscious and effective marketing campaign. You just need to employ a few strategies to drive traffic to your Facebook Fan Page. As long as you stay consistent by posting fresh content you will find in the long run, you will see the results it will bring to your business. For additional information on how you can use Facebook to promote your business, please visit my Web site at http://www.annettapowellonline.com. Hoping to see you there!
Yours sincerely,

Annetta Powell
Your Professional Success Coach