Small Business Marketing: Facebook Page Marketing

Merchants in Burlingame should consider trying Facebook Pages to connect and foster their relationships with their customers.  I know, some of you are already trying it out and wonder if it's working  - but with a strategy, a plan and knowing what your customers want, you would be able to utilize a Facebook page to offer your customers (fans) special offers at your place of business:

• Retail: next 10 people between 4-6 will receive an additional %15-20 off on any item (or select an item be it a pair of shoes,jewelry, accessory)
• Restaurant: next 15 people who mentions this Facebook Page post will receive a free dessert on us with the purchase of an entree for two
• Spa/Salon: offer our fans a discount on (specific hair product) and/or offer a package such as eye brow waxing/shaping with a lipstick or hair treatment for free if booked by certain date and time

The way to know what your customers want is to ASK them and NOT be afraid of the answer.  People will tell you that your prices are high or that they'd like to get a specific type of treatment.  Every customer is different, some are emotional, others are about aesthetics and some about flavor.  Pay attention to the common theme, if people keep saying that the food seems bland or lacks excitement, change up the menu.  There is no right or wrong way to run your business, because it's hard to please everyone, but Facebook Marketing can be a fun thing to do.

Here are a few tips you as a Burlingame business owner can do today:

• Utilize the Facebook Page Events tab - if you are running a special at a certain day and time, create an event; if you have a special happy hour menu, create an event; if you have excessive hair products to move from your shelves, make an event out of it, and serve appetizers and a cold beverage between specific times on a certain day.
• Update your Facebook Page at least 3 times per day.  Statistics have shown that people are apt to click on 1) Videos 2) Photos more often then content.  Take advantage of this, showcase products, happy clients (with permission) and if you're a restaurant, entice them with photos of happy hour food or entrees.You can find videos on Blip.tv and YouTube to share on your Facebook page. You can find great content at Alltop.com - conduct a search around specific topic, and share content on your FB page if it compliments your business.
• Use a tool like Hootsuite to manage your Twitter, Facebook Page, Foursquare, and pre-set/schedule, setting a date and time in advance Twitter posts, Foursquare specials and Facebook Page postings.

I know how overwhelming it seems when you see these platforms and tools and have a huge ? as to how to get started.  Working with a marketing consultant who specializes in social media, location based marketing will help you save time, money and sleepless nights.  Facebook marketing doesn't have to feel like work, especially because most of your fans are people who like you and will tell your friends about your specials and how great you treat them.  People buy from those "they know, like, and trust" so give them what they need to know, like and trust you. This goes for spas, restaurants, doctors, plastic surgeons and salons.