Facebook certainly has become the most wide reaching of all the Social Media sites.

With over 1.5 billion (yes BILLION with a B), its certainly a site too large to ignore.

Most of us use Facebook to connect with friends and family but businesses have immersed themselves to get “eyeballs” and ideally build a passionate community about their brand.

Getting optimized in Facebook is a science unto itself, but statistics have shown that less than 16% of organic posts actually are seen by the audience who have pre-qualified themselves and have “LIKED” your page.

So what can you do?

1. Ensure you are reaching the RIGHT audience. 

Are you sure your audience is on Facebook? Have you asked them? Make sure you look at your Social Media presence and plan from the bigger picture. Take a step back to look at your ideal customer. Where do they spend most of their online time and what are they doing when they are online. If your audience is primarily business-based (you’re selling to other businesses) then Facebook might not be the ideal channel for you.

For consumer-based businesses (selling to consumers), then this audience IS more ideal for you.

2. Remember Social Media is 2-way conversation. 

It’s not about what YOU say about your business – it’s about what your CLIENTS say about your business that matters.

If people comment on your page, be sure to click “LIKE” or thank them. Ideally get a conversation going!

Be conversational! “Posts with a personal tone or clever language receive 120% above average engagement” 

Ask questions: “Posts that include a prompt for conversation or a question receive 70% above average engagement.”

3. Share information at the RIGHT time

When do you log on to Facebook? Chances are your audience is logging in then too.

Statistics vary but typically there is more engagement from Thursday to Sunday – when we’re less business-focused and want to socialize.

4. Share pictures. LOTS of pictures.

You occupy more real-estate and get more attention with visuals. Even if it’s an inspirational quote turned into an image.

It’s much easier to evoke emotion with pictures as well.

A couple of useful sites:

  • Picmonkey – can help you reformat pictures without having to use software.
  • ReciteThis – I love this site for converting text into simple graphics.

IMAGE

5. Consider Facebook Ads

As I mentioned in point #1, your Social Media campaign should be a holistic approach to your overall business strategy.

You can set your own budget, narrow the scope of the reach so you’re reaching the right audience, and when you only pay per click, it’s a great way to extend the reach of your brand.

Be mindful that the click-through rate will probably be VERY low, but simply getting your brand in front of a new audience goes a long way.

I’ve heard that the brand resonance factor (how many times your brand needs to be seen to start to develop a relationship) is typically between 8 and 10 times and in this information-packed environment of Social Media it may be as high as 22 times!

So, what’s important to note is that you have to connect with your audience anywhere between 8 and 22 times before they even start to pay attention to you.

Why not test out a cost-effective way of reaching them?

Top tips for Facebook ads:

  • Make the ad relevant to your target audience: You’re not talking to everyone – you’re only talking to your target.
  • Add a compelling call-to-action: Why should they click on your ad? What will make them interested to see more?
  • Grab attention:  Test out different things that will make it more eye-catching. Sometimes it’s the image, sometimes it’s the copy.
  • Create urgency: Why should they click NOW? Is there a time-limited opportunity?

With the amount of “noise” and content that is being shared on Facebook, it can be challenging to cut through the clutter. The “secret” is, the more engagement you have on your page – the higher your page will be ranked and the more exposure you will receive.

This isn’t always easy and it’s a work in progress but keep aiming to get people talking and sharing.

Now it’s YOUR turn.

What experience have YOU had with Facebook? Any ideas that have worked for you?

 

 

Posted in Facebook Tips and tagged ,

About Leslie Hughes

Leslie Hughes is a LinkedIn Optimization Specialist, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Corporate Trainer with over 25 years of experience in digital marketing and LinkedIn profile writing. As the Principal of PUNCH!media and author of "CREATE. CONNECT. CONVERT," Leslie helps executives and professionals optimize their LinkedIn profiles, generate leads, and attract higher-paying clients. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice—an exclusive honor from LinkedIn—Leslie is a trusted authority on LinkedIn profile optimization, AI-driven marketing strategies, and digital identity management. Her expertise has been featured on CBC Radio, where she was called a "Social Media Guru," and on CTV’s "The Social," where she shared strategies for managing digital identity. Leslie empowers professionals to leverage generative AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance marketing strategies, boost efficiency, and create impactful content that converts. She helps businesses understand how to use LinkedIn for lead generation and how AI can revolutionize their digital marketing efforts. Leslie has worked with top organizations like Investment Planning Counsel, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, JLL, and Franklin Templeton, optimizing LinkedIn profiles and providing corporate training that delivers measurable results. Leslie is a former college professor and co-lead instructor for Ontario Tech University’s Social Media Marketing and Digital Management Certificate. Whether you need a LinkedIn profile writer, corporate trainer, or AI marketing specialist, Leslie Hughes can help you elevate your digital presence and transform your marketing strategy. Ready to take your LinkedIn profile and corporate training to the next level? Learn more at www.punchmedia.ca.