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Do you ever ask yourself why you should start a facebook page? Creating a page is relatively easy. Turning your page into a sales generator is the real challenge. To guide you with this, here are 5 steps you need to take:

#1 define a social strategy

On what terms and conditions are you entering facebook? Do you have a clear documented social strategy for your facebook page. With your strategy you define the resources for your business goals. Each strategy comes with its own set of rules. For a successful social strategy, you need to document your branding (positioning), content strategy, editorial guidelines and how to manage your customer expectations. Appoint a social strategist. Some one who is responsible for the overall definition and execution of your social strategy.

#2 create a hot fan page

The first thing you need for your fan page is 25 fans. This enables you to secure your own username as key element for your branding. Next, create a wall picture (180 x 540) for your page that supports your brand equity. Finally, choose applications and tabs that get you fans and keep them coming back for more.  Hire a professional facebook fan page designer to create your welcome page and customized tabs. Let your branding guide you in deciding which tabs and applications fit the page.

#3 engage with fans

Your community manager is the key person for engaging with your fans. Assign at least two community managers for the page. Create an editorial guide with predefined rules for the interaction with your fans. Take responsibility for community management. Don’t let an external advisor take this out of your hands! Remember, you know your clients and your organization better than anyone else. Your main goal should be growing a loyal fan base to secure your sales. To learn more about how to increase engagement, read this article I recently wrote on smedio: 9 ways to make your facebook page red hot.

#4 run campaigns

Design a campaign plan for promotional activities during the year. Promotions are a great way to get more fans and keep them coming back for more. Use special moments to start promotions. Think about Valentine’s Day or welcome the spring. There is always an occasion for a special moment. Share these moments with your fans.

To get more fans, use special coupons or giveaways. Start a contest or run sweepstakes. Visit Wildfire to learn more about campaigns on facebook. Without facebook ads, your promotion will not take off. Learn how to use facebook ads to drive people to your promotions. With facebook ads you can hypertarget your perfect customers based on socio-demographics, geo-graphics and likes.

Here’s an interesting article to learn more about how to measure the success of your ads: It’s not just about getting some action.

#5 monitor the results

Statistics are the main anchor point for the success of your facebook page. Define key performance indicators to measure the success of your social strategy. Periodically monitor the results (think about weeks or months). Create a management summary with an overview of key metrics.  Facebook insights gives you a lot of info about your page performance. With insights, you’ll learn about the number of likers, where they are from, gender, age and who is interacting with your promotions.

I am sure if you follow these 5 steps, your business will thrive well with a facebook page. Do you have any experience with facebook pages for your business or are you thinking about a page? Let us know what your questions are or leave a comment in the box below.