Facebook Promotion for Small Business

I was recently chewing through my RSS reader when I came across a really good post by Nick O’Neill on 9 Rules of Facebook Promotion that Every Small Business Should Know. Briefly, they include:

1. Go Slow and Steady, Don’t Overdo It
2. Contact Your Fans Directly
3. Don’t Spam
4. Consider it an Educational Experience
5. Limit Your Advertising Budget
6. Create a Facebook Page, Not New Profiles
7. Use Coupons and Other Incentives
8. Emphasize Mobile Subscriptions
9. Post Occasional Entertaining Statuses

I thought that the post made some really good points and I encourage anyone currently using Facebook, or considering its use to read it.

There were a few points beyond the headlines that I’d like to point out.

• Relationship building using Facebook (or any other social media tool) is a long-term proposition.
• While thousands of fans is probably unrealistic, it will be easier for small businesses to get closer to their fans.
• Businesses must continue to experiment to see what works for them.
• Create interesting things to talk about; contests, quizzes, coupons and many other subjects can each be used to keep fans engaged.
• Have fun with it.

I’m curious whether anyone currently uses Facebook to reach out to their clients or customers. Therefore, if anyone is currently using FB and is willing to give us a brief review of what you’re doing, I’ll buy them a cup of coffee…

If you’re from outside our geography, we’ll have to figure something out.

Bill Rowland