Social Marketing Optimization

Targeting New Customers on Facebook

Written by Brenda Stokes for Gaebler Ventures

Currently, there are millions of users on Facebook just waiting for you to market your product. Because of methods offered by Facebook that enables you to market to your target audience, it is time for you to use what they're offering.

Facebook has taken the world by storm and not just in the social networking realm.

Once a method in which individuals could connect to one another, Facebook now offers ways in which businesses can market themselves without spamming individuals.

Marketing with Facebook is easy. Simply utilize the following tools:

• Facebook groups - You can create a Facebook group for your business and allow others to join the group voluntarily. Because Facebook shows users the activities of their friends in their news feeds (activity that is listed on their main user page), they can see the groups their friends are joining. Friends are also able to suggest your Facebook group to other friends.
  
  Each time you update your status on your group page, everyone within the group is able to see that update. This enables you to offer them special deals, inform them of promotions, give them inside information such as new product releases before the release date, and so much more.
• Facebook fan pages - All an individual has to do is click the "like" button on a page and they are a fan. These pages essentially operate the same as Facebook groups and, just like groups, allow for discussions and other types of interaction.
• Facebook ads - You have probably heard of Google Adwords where you utilize ads that are keyword-based. You simply pay per click but can set a budget so that you don't break the bank. Facebook has started the same type of advertising system that advertises to just Facebook users and has the potential to reach millions worldwide.
• Facebook Apps - More and more businesses are utilizing Facebook apps as advertising tools. A simple application such as a quiz or a daily quote provides an advertising opportunity. You can place your ad at any point in the application and these are free to make. You just have to have a little technical know-how.

As you can see, Facebook provides you with valuable tools that will allow you to reach many individuals at a time. Because there are users all around the world using Facebook, it is not out of the question that you could conduct business worldwide.

There are some activities, however, that you do not want to engage in while utilizing Facebook marketing. For instance, you do not want to post too many status updates throughout the day. This can irritate those in your group or your Facebook page fans.

You also don't want to post too little. The ideal number of postings per day is 2 to 3 and that is it. You can post once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evenings. This enables those Facebook page fans that may not be on the other two times of day to see what it is you have to offer that day.

Because a large percentage of Internet users are now utilizing Facebook to stay in touch with friends, find opportunities, and even find businesses to do business with, you have a lot to work with. With groups, fan pages, ads, and apps, it shouldn't be difficult for you to target a specific audience and reel them in.

Brenda is a graduate of California State University and a professional writer covering a variety of business topics. To learn more about Brenda, check out her website at The Digital Inkwell.

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