How to Use Facebook for Business

Tips on how you can utilize Facebook to market and grow your online or offline business.

First, here are the facts:
1. Facebook now has over half a billion registered members.
2. Millions of people log in to the site every single day making it one of the most visited websites in the world.

If the above facts don't make you run out and try to figure out how to tap this marketplace full of millions of people, then I don't know what will. It's no longer a question of whether you are going to use Facebook for business or not. In the early days of Facebook, this could be a valid question but today, you will be laughed at if you ask it. If you are a businessman, it doesn't matter if you're an online or offline businessman, using Facebook is not an option. It is a REQUIREMENT. If you don't use it, you're going to miss out on a lot of opportunities.

Why you should use Facebook for business.

There is a reason why even the biggest businesses and companies in the world are creating their own pages on Facebook. Would they be doing this if they think Facebook is a waste of their time and resources? Absolutely not! They are on Facebook because they know what it can do for their businesses. They saw the potential. They saw the power of social networking.

Facebook is still growing at a great pace. Millions of new members are signing up every month. With this pace, it will only be a matter of time before we get to see it hit and surpass the one billion members mark. Let us say that last part again. ONE BILLION MEMBERS. Business and marketing-wise, Facebook is a gold mine. At least for those who recognize it.

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How to use Facebook for business.

Below are pointers on how you can get the most out of Facebook as a business marketing tool:

Create a Facebook Page for your business. Take note that a Facebook Page is different from a Facebook Profile. The two look and work the same but with one huge difference – any online user can view a Facebook Page while you need to be logged into Facebook to be able to view a Facebook Profile. With that said, a Facebook Page allows you to market to everyone on the internet, not just Facebook users.
Regularly update your Facebook Page. When you post a photo, a link, a video, or a simple status update on your Page, it will appear on the news feeds of all those Facebook users who “Liked” your Page. The more you update, the better. Do not overdo it though or you will annoy people and cause them to “Unlike” your Page. Update regularly but make sure that you are posting something new and valuable. Don't update just for the sake of updating.
Answer questions and reply to posts left by people on your Facebook Page. The mere act of REPLYING is one of the easiest ways to earn the respect and trust of people online. So do it as often as you can. Learn from Gary Vaynerchuck, that cocky internet superstar who says that he tries to read and answer all the emails he receives everyday. Mind you, he gets hundreds if not thousands of emails a day.
Ask questions. If you have a loyal and passionate following on Facebook, your queries will not remain unanswered. This is a very good way to engage your followers, poll them about certain things, and get their thoughts about your business and how you can make it better for them.
Be honest at all times. One single lie from you can ruin everything that you built. Always remember that it is very easy for something to go viral on Facebook. Sharing things is as easy as clicking on a button. A single customer who realizes that you have lied to him/her can easily burn your business down. A negative rant about your business that he/she posted on Facebook can get shared countless of times and affect your business overall.

If you follow these tips on how to use Facebook for business, expect your business to grow and expand as a result.

If you have anything to add to what's been discussed above, please leave them on the comments section below. They will be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Updated: 06/09/2013, kliffgorre

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kliffgorre on 02/26/2012

@kaazoom This is why I keep two Facebook accounts. One for personal uses and one for business purposes. :)

kaazoom on 02/24/2012

There are two problems I have with using facebook for business. The first is I like to keep my business stuff seperate from personal stuff, so I wouldn't want to use my main wall for business purpose. The second is having enough things to say on a FB page that will keep people coming back. Having said that, I do think FB can be a very valuable tool.

kliffgorre on 11/21/2011

@celeBritys4africA: You're welcome.

@Ralpapajan: Don't wait. Time to get your hands dirty. :)

Ralpapajan on 09/14/2011

Thanks for this. A little too early for me at the moment ~ I have bookmarked for later for easy reference. My learning curve is still new. TYVM

celeBritys4africA on 07/04/2011

Thanks for the tips. I am using FaceBook for business, now I'll improve it.

kliffgorre on 06/30/2011

@bizilady: Thank you.
@DMN Direct: You said it, my good Sir...:)

DMN Direct on 06/22/2011

Great tips! Utilizing the benefits that come with Facebook is so important. With 93% of American adults on Facebook, interacting on the site will open doors to gain more customers than you have ever had before. Regularly updating your page is a good way to start a dialogue with the new customers. Best of luck!

Guest on 06/22/2011

good advice. I may try to make a business page again..

kliffgorre on 06/19/2011

@kajohu: Facebook would be a perfect marketing tool for your yoga studio. Use it as more of a communication tool since you are providing service in a fixed location.
@Michey: Keep on improving. That is a goal we all need to be doing as internet marketers.
@ohme: Thank you as well and you're welcome.
@CherylsArt:Yeah, that's the biggest advantage a Facebook Page has over a Facebook Profile.