Dos and Don’ts: Engaging with Your Facebook Fans

This post is written by Cristina Sousa, a content specialist on Vistaprint’s Social Media team.

So you’ve got your Facebook page set up and you’ve started to get a few Likes — the question is what now? How do you encourage engagement and start to connect with people who Like your page, how do you get more Likes and how do you get people coming back? Here are our top Dos and Don’ts.

DO: Research
If you have no idea where to start think about the different pages you personally Like on Facebook. Whether the business is big or small, in the retail industry or a non-profit, what do they do that keeps you on their “Liked” list? Perhaps it’s the status updates they post, or the informative blogs they link to. Maybe it’s something as simple as their tone of voice they use when communicating on their page. Whatever it might be, doing a bit of research about what you think works will be helpful when it comes to your own Facebook content. Chances are what appeals to you will also appeal to your own audience.

DO: The Write Stuff
One of the most important ways to start connecting with your Likers is by writing and posting relevant status updates. So you don’t get overwhelmed, an easy way to begin this process is to make manageable goals for posting. Startby thinking about how much time you’re willing to dedicate to your page;  two posts a week is a good place to start. Then decide ahead of time what you’ll be posting each week. People who Like your page will be interested in relevant information like upcoming sales, new product launches or interesting industry articles you come across. Think about writing and posting fun questions that relate to your business.  For example, if you’re a bakerpick one day to ask your Fans about their favorite type of cake or cookie. Fans will want to interact with you, so give them a fun and simple reason to!

DON’T: Ignore Your Fans
Once you have a conversation going don’t forget to respond! Remember: When it comes to Facebook it’s a two-way conversation. Don’t forget customers go to your Facebook page to ask questions, talk to you or comment on what you post.

DO: Picture This
A great way to add personality to your business and your Facebook page is to post pictures. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes look at your business in action or a photo gallery of your latest product offerings, including a visual component to your Facebook page is a great way to ensure your presence is well-rounded.

DON’T: Go Stale
Once you’ve started to post updates and pictures, the key is to make sure you keep up with the content. The last thing you want is a stale, rarely updated Facebook page!

DO: Tell Your Story
Our most important tip of all is to tell your story. That’s why you created a Facebook page in the first place. Be creative, and don’t be afraid to show that there is a unique personality to your business.

What’s an easy way to get started? Check out our new Facebook Business Page Builder!