Whether you’re new in business and have just set up your Facebook page – or you’ve been neglecting yours for a while – gaining page followers is an important part of any Facebook marketing strategy.
It doesn’t matter how great your content is – if you only have a handful of followers (and one is your Mum) you’re not going to get very far.
And even established wedding businesses need to work on maintaining their fanbase – after all, when the wedding is over, those once enthusiastic brides will no longer be interested.
So here are 7 ways to grow your followers. Let’s start with the basics:
1. Friends
Invite your Facebook friends to Like your page. And remember to go back every so often and ask new contacts to do so – especially if you usually “Friend” your clients.
2. Email Signature
This one isn’t going to skyrocket your fanbase, but every little helps and it’s very easy to do.
Simply add a link to your email signature that encourages recipients to Like your page and gives them a reason to do so. For example “Like our Facebook page for tips and special offers”. This will work better than “Please Like us on Facebook”.
3. Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are a great way to raise awareness of your Facebook page but you need to choose the right groups and do treat them with respect.
Think of groups as online networking opportunities rather than advertising platforms. Some are sales oriented (especially local ones) but others are more for support and advice. These groups will usually have rules about promoting yourself – do stick to these or you will be kicked out.
4. Advertising
Often the quickest and most effective way to get genuine fans for your page is through advertising.
Facebook advertising has some great targeting options. For example you can specify that you want your advert shown to women between the ages of 20 to 45 with relationship status “engaged” and who live in a specific geographical area. This means that you don’t need to spend a large amount to grow your page fanbase.
5. Your Website
Make sure you have links to your Facebook page on your website.
However, I wouldn’t make this too obvious. If someone is on your site you’d rather they bought your product or made an appointment. And definitely don’t use a pop-up – Google is clamping down on these (and they annoy the heck out of everyone anyway).
6. Ask for Shares & Likes
Once you have some followers then you can start using posts that encourage your followers to share with their friends.
This could be a competition, a giveaway or just an appealing image. A simple photo with “Like and Share if you’re getting married” can be amazingly effective!
Don’t do this all the time, but every so often it can give you a great boost.
7. Remarketing
If you are getting decent numbers of visitors to your website (other than from Facebook) then you can target these people through remarketing. Check out our guide to remarketing here.
And finally, don’t be tempted to cut corners and buy followers. You need the majority of your fans to be people who are genuinely interested in your product/service. If your fans are not engaging with your Facebook posts then very few people are actually going to see them.