Gain fans on Facebook
How to gain your first fans for a company page
Gaining fans on Facebook is a challenge, especially for young companies or those new to the social network. This article explains how an initial fan base can be created with relatively simple means in order to address the right target group with marketing and customer service, including a suitable infographic: The world's largest social network is no longer just a place where large, multinational corporations present themselves. Smaller or regionally active companies have long since found their way into the Facebook news of their local or more specific target group in order to provide information about products, disseminate news or answer customer inquiries.
How important is the number of fans?
In order to effectively disseminate news and information in the social media world, it is necessary to gain fans. Newly founded or newly registered companies on Facebook are therefore faced with the challenge of convincing users to "like" their Facebook page.
The number of fans alone should not be the only or even the most important indicator of success in a social media strategy. Interaction with users, customer feedback, the reach of individual posts: these are all factors that should not be ignored when measuring the success of a social media channel. Companies with a niche focus or regional companies in particular often cannot score points with thousands of Facebook fans. This is not necessary as long as the existing fans are provided with target group-specific information and feel addressed. A large number of Facebook fans does not bring any added value to a company if these fans are not interested in the company, its posts or products.
Nevertheless, fans are of course important and necessary for a company page in order to have a basic audience for Facebook posts. But how do you, as a small company, get your first fans without investing large budgets in advertising or the (unprofessional and unsuccessful) purchase of fans?
First steps to gaining Facebook fans
There are various ways to create an initial base of fans for a Facebook page, which generally cost little time and money, but can be very helpful when starting a page. In our infographic, we have summarized some steps that can be used to expand the number of Facebook fans.
Basic first steps for a Facebook page
An important step that every page operator should take at the very beginning is to fill out the profile as completely as possible: the name of the company, basic information, address, opening hours, contact options, as well as profile and cover picture should be up to date and reflect the company (for the selection of pictures, see our article on optimal picture sizes on Facebook). This information ensures that people searching for the company on Facebook recognize it directly and understand that this Facebook page is the official presence. Also important: completing the legal notice, as this information is also required on a Facebook page.
A further step is to select a suitable Facebook URL that interested parties can use to access the Facebook page directly. A unique, easy-to-remember address that can be directly linked to the company is an advantage. As this Facebook URL will appear in many other places in the best-case scenario, an address should be selected and defined at your leisure - it is virtually impossible to change it at a later date.
Invite friends and turn them into fans
One of the great advantages of Facebook is the linking and interaction of many people with each other - a "Like" click on a Facebook page is also displayed to people who were not previously directly linked to this page. It is therefore worth making private Facebook friends aware of the company's presence and inviting them to "Like" the page with just a few clicks. A little sensitivity is required here: not every private friend necessarily has to be interested in the company, the products or the information presented there. You should therefore proceed with caution when selecting invitations and avoid sending spam invitations.
However, invitations can not only be sent directly on Facebook. It is also a good idea to draw attention to your Facebook presence via other channels, for example by email or on other social networks such as Twitter or Instagram. It is possible to refer to the Facebook page in the email signature or in the descriptions of other online presences. Alternatively, posts can be published exclusively on Facebook and then shared by email or on other social networks. Attention can also be generated offline for a Facebook presence. References to your Facebook page can be placed on stationery, business cards, flyers, in brochures or in the store.
The next steps: Content & Facebook advertising
With the steps mentioned above, a few fans should have found their way to your page. In the longer term, however, one topic should be the main focus in order to gain new fans and keep the existing fans on board: exciting & varied content!
The content that is published should be exciting, varied and geared towards the respective target group. Interesting insights into the company or important and up-to-date information are well suited to using a Facebook page as an extension of your own website and interacting with fans and interested parties. Customer feedback can be collected quickly and easily via social channels in particular. Content should be published at regular intervals and your own posts should be at least indirectly related to the company, the products or the offer and contain added value for fans and customers - this added value can be used for entertainment, information or exchange. A company should also get involved in the discussions under the posts, read the comments of visitors and answer questions - social networks are not a one-way street and questions and comments relating to content must be expected. This exchange should be seen as an opportunity. Questions about products, for example, can be answered quickly, easily and for all visitors to see. In this way, the feeling can be conveyed that the company is approachable, communicative and customer-oriented. The interaction rate of visitors is important - over time, it will become apparent which content (e.g. images or videos) the fans react particularly well to. Based on this, the social media strategy can be further developed accordingly.
Advertising on Facebook
In addition to the methods mentioned above, advertising can of course be used to draw people's attention to a Facebook page. Facebook offers many opportunities for this, with which good results can be achieved even with small budgets. The right target group should always be kept in mind. It is advantageous to target people who might be interested in the company instead of addressing a huge, broad mass. Unusual and appealing images ensure that the advertisements stand out and it is worth designing the advertisements in a varied way. It is also possible, for example, to create advertisements that are specifically displayed to visitors to the company website. The platform itself offers many other hints, tips and instructions on the topic of "Advertising on Facebook" - it is worth taking a look at the extensive documentation.
Summary: After the setup, it's all about the content!
All in all, there are many ways and means of gaining new fans for a company page on Facebook. Once all the important information about the company has been entered on Facebook and a certain number of fans have been collected, the content that is published on Facebook on behalf of the company is the most important thing. Good and appealing content ensures that fans interact with the content, talk about the company and thus reach more people on the social network. As an additional boost to reach, advertising on Facebook can be used to reach even more people who have not previously interacted with the company.
With good preparation, high-quality content, a flair and an open ear for the target group, you can be successful on Facebook, even as a small company. It is important to remember that the number of "likes" is not the measure of all things. Authentic communication with fans and providing visitors to the Facebook page with content that is actually relevant: This can get you off to a good start in the Facebook world.
You would like to advertise on Facebook?
As a Facebook Ads agency, we are happy to manage your campaigns and answer your questions about Facebook advertising. Get in touch with us now. We look forward to hearing from you!
Gain more fans for your Facebook page
Everyone wants to get more likes for their Facebook pages, because more fans increase your organic reach on Facebook and for many are a kind of "seal of approval" for the popularity of a company page on the largest social network. If you follow the basic tips for beginners from our article and build your strategy on them, you will quickly achieve your first successes and increase the number of fans on your Facebook page.
