One of the biggest struggles for businesses and social media marketers today is how to manage the results of Facebook’s declining reach. Many companies, large and small, have had a crushing blow over the past several months as they’ve watched their content posts reach an all-time low. We have seen some abandon their Facebook Business pages and head to other social media platforms.
BUT WAIT… before you give up on your Facebook marketing consider this.
“Worldwide, there are over 1.79 billion monthly active Facebook users which is a 16 percent increase year over year. (Source: Facebook as of 11/02/16) What this means for you: In case you had any lingering doubts, statistically, Facebook is too big to ignore.” – Zephoria Digital Marketing
At cktechconnect inc. we use these effective strategies to successfully improve Facebook reach. Yes, it’s possible. We recommend you consider these ideas before you desert your Facebook Business page and leave it in the worldwide wasteland.
Develop a Facebook Marketing Strategy
One of the key components of an engaging social platform is consistency. Facebook is no different. Your plan should include a posting schedule as well as have a clear outline of your content strategy. Randomly publishing posts and grasping for last minute content will not help gain likes, comments or shares.
Defining clear marketing goals make your efforts intentional. That makes your efforts more likely to succeed. It is well worth the time it takes to develop a plan.
4 Easy Steps to Implement a Facebook Marketing Strategy
How To Create A Social Media Marketing Plan In 6 Steps
“Without a goal there can be no real success” – Thomas S. Monson
Create Great Visual & Valuable Content
If you really want your reach to improve, you have to start sharing content that your fans want to see. The one thing you can be sure of is that they don’t want to talk all about you. It’s the perfect time to broaden the type of content posts you share, allowing you the opportunity to engage a wider range of fans.
a) Use eye-catching photographs.
b) Use bright and clear images that grab a viewer’s attention.
c) Use appropriate sized graphics and pictures. Using images that are unclear or thumbnail size won’t draw the engagement you are hoping for.
d) Avoid making posts that are just text. They just get lost in the visual shuffle. Posts that overdo the amount of recommended text are also more likely to be ignored. Did you know that the Ideal Length Of A Facebook Status Update is 40 Characters?
e) Share information that is helpful and informative. This could be a blog you have written or information that will make someone’s life easier.
f) When you share links to articles from others, make sure you review all the content and information you are sharing. Some links are considered spam. These links use inaccurate language and formatting to try to trick the reader to open them. You are then bombarded with ads as will your reader be.
g) When you share links on your business page that contain helpful information, make sure you always tag/mention the business or professional associated with that content.
h) If you are creating your own images, brand them with your business name or logo. DON’T OVER BRAND your content. Often marketers and companies over brand their visual content. This can often distract from the real content in the image. If your logos and text take away from the quality of the photo or graphic you will find that your content will have limited shares.
i) It’s time to give Video a go! There are so many options available you can consider. There is a lot of talk right now about Facebook Live video, but that style of video may not always match your business or marketing strategy. However, don’t ignore other video marketing ideas on Facebook.
Engagement is a Must!
There are several steps a business must incorporate into their Facebook marketing to improve their Facebook reach. We recommend implementing all of these strategies on a daily basis.
You must remember that it takes time to build trusting relationships with your fans. They do not have to comment on your posts or share your information. You have to change your mindset and realize that it is the responsibility of the Business page managers to start the engagement ball rolling not the fan!
a) Like and respond to every comment on your Facebook page. Yes, every comment. Do not just respond to some and not others. When you don’t engage in the conversation, your fans will soon find other business pages that will talk to them.
b) Thank fans and other business pages for sharing your posts. Thank-you goes a long way. You will find that people are more likely to share your posts again and again simply because you were courteous.
c) Respond to every “post to page” in a quickly and timely manner.
d) Thank people for taking time to complete a Review on your page. Whether the review is positive or negative.
e) Last, but certainly not least important. Reach out to other “social” Facebook business pages. There are thousands of business pages from around the world that implement this strategy into their marketing to gain likes, comments and shares. This marketing method can have amazing results that improve your engagement and increase your reach. The great news is, these “social” businesses become a large part of your online network and support your growth on other social platforms. Other “social” businesses become your Brand Ambassadors!
Successfully marketing your business in “Facebook 2017” takes time and/or resources. You need to have a comprehensive marketing plan that includes a content strategy. You can no longer succeed without conversations.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
Sandi Booth is the CEO, web developer, content strategist, graphic designer, social media manager and trainer at Cktechconnect Inc. located in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Sandi’s creative style and dedication to clients has ensured that Cktechconnect has become the online marketing company it is today. Since its inception in 2009 Cktechconnect Inc. has helped dozens of businesses and professionals around the world with focused, successful, dynamic multimedia marketing campaigns.
Join Sandi on Twitter – @cktechsandi