Social media platforms like Facebook are amazing tools for businesses. Their barrier to entry is low, plus they make it easy to connect with people from all over the world. The toughest part about social media is knowing what to post and when. For instance, as the Facebook user base has grown to nearly 3 billion people, competition on the platform has never been higher. This makes it difficult to stand out from the crowd, especially for brands which are just getting started. If your business page isn’t seeing the reach you’d hoped for, don’t panic. There are many reasons why this may be, and you can certainly do something about it.
Most content on Facebook is published for free. These organic posts are shown on a page’s News Feed and are rarely seen by users who don’t follow it. Hashtags are one way to get around this, but even they don’t affect it much. We’ve detailed the concept of reach before, but it’s worth repeating. Reach describes the number of unique users who see or interact with a post. Not to be confused with impressions, which simply record when a post is displayed at all, even to the same user. Organic Facebook reach continues to decline, partly because of changes to its algorithm.
You’ve probably heard this phrase in passing, but it can be tough to understand. An algorithm is any set of instructions which solves a problem. They’re often used by computers to complete complex tasks. Facebook’s algorithm decides which posts users are shown first with the hope of getting them to scroll further. It does this by scoring every post according to factors like recency, popularity, content quality, and relationships. Then, Facebook demotes unpopular or misleading content before ranking the rest based on user preferences. The social network is constantly tracking its users’ behavior and tries to push posts that it thinks they will prefer.
Facebook rewards content that pages pay to promote. It lets them target specific demographics like age, location, and interests. These paid ads allow businesses to drastically increase the reach of posts outside of their current following. There’s basically no limit to the number of users a boosted post can reach, and they provide valuable insight into exactly who engages with them. With these details in hand, marketers can refine their tactics to be more effective in the future. Paid content is a cost-effective way for businesses to gain more clicks, promote campaigns, and grow their brand loyalty over time.
Posts that are timely, engaging, and meaningful tend to do well on Facebook. This means that you’ll want to post when your followers are online and provide them with a chance to participate. Inspiring others to contribute will make them feel included. Consider a giveaway for users who like, share, or comment on a post. Ask for honest feedback about a current event or new product line. Share candid photos and try going live from company events. Encouraging followers to join in the conversation is likely to evoke a genuine response. It’s also worth looking for relevant Facebook Groups to spread your brand awareness. Don’t forget to respond to comments and direct messages in a timely manner. This will show that your brand truly cares about its loyal fans.
Facebook and other social media channels provide businesses a unique platform. They serve as resource hubs, much like websites, and they may even be more accessible to some. While organic content isn’t always as impactful as promoted posts, it does show a company’s authenticity. Finding your voice on Facebook is one of the best things a brand can do to market itself online. If your online presence could use some help, we encourage you to contact us for some expert advice.
Lincoln, Nebraska
7800 O St, Suite 103, Lincoln, NE 68510