When you're just starting out on Facebook, you've got to figure out how to attract your initial fan base. There are three key milestones to pass on Facebook, and there are good ways to get past each milestone, without ever having to spend a dime on ads.
Step 1: 25 Fans
Getting to 25 fans is a significant milestone for a brand new page. Once you've reached 25 fans for your page, you're allowed to set a vanity name for your page. Pages by default have a long, random number in them, which can make telling people how to find you on Facebook difficult.
However, Facebook lets pages with more than 25 fans set a short, memorable URL for your presence on Facebook, like facebook.com/pagename, instead of facebook.com/pages/pagename/101681279873681
The best tactic for reaching the 25 fan milestone is to ask the people you're already friends with on Facebook. You can send up to 20 friends at a time a short note using Facebook Messages. Feel free to copy/paste the script I've used below (don't forget to attach a link to your page!):
Hey! I just started a new Facebook Page, and Facebook needs me to have 25 fans before I can get a username for my page. I'd really appreciate you being one of the first 25 people to like my page - it would really help me and only takes a few seconds. Here's the link: [Insert your link here]
Once you get your 25 fans, claim your new vanity URL at:
http://www.facebook.com/username
Step 2: 100 Fans
Reaching 100 fans means that you'll no longer be able to change the name of your Facebook Page, so make sure that you've got a name you like, BEFORE using these tactics.
The best tactic for getting to the 100 fan mark is to work your network. Announce your new vanity URL to your friends via a wall post on Facebook. Ask that your friends do 3 quick things to help: (1) like your page - if they haven't already, (2) like your wall post and (3) share your new page by writing a post themselves. Here's a script for you to use:
I've just gotten a cool new username for my Facebook Page. Please help me grow the page by doing 3 quick things: (1) like the page, (2) like this wall post and (3) share this page with a Facebook update that says: "Check out my friend's new page, [Insert your link here] for the tips on running your marketing efforts on social networks."
Step 3: 1000 Fans and Beyond
Having over 1000 fans shows prospective customers that you have a strong fan base on Facebook and gives you a large base of people to reach when you need to announce a sale, drive new sales, or otherwise interact with.
But reaching 1000 fans doesn't need to be an expensive affair. The best way to reliably reach 1000 fans is to take a slow growth strategy using the places you're already getting others attention.
If you have a website, utilize social plugins like the Like Button and Like Box; they are free to add to your site and they do a great job of turning website visitors into fans. If you have an email list, send an email inviting them to become fans on Facebook. If you operate a physical store, add some signage to your window, next to your cash register, or on your receipt.
The ideas are endless, and different for every business, but think about places where you are already getting attention from people and where you could ask them to become your fan on Facebook.
Did you like this article or have tips to share? Please let me know by using the comments section below.
Related articles:
6 Ways To Get Found On Facebook
9 Tips For More Effective Facebook Marketing
5 Ways To Use Facebook To Promote Your Site
Many thanks to Roland Smart of Involver for the content of this article. If you want to stay up to date with the latest blog posts, don't forget to follow via Google Friend Connect (button on sidebar), on Facebook or subscribe to our feed at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/DereksHomeAndBusinessBlog
You can also follow me on Twitter @djones1509, Google+ and on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/djones1509
http://www.facebook.com/DereksHomeandBusinessBlog
Until my next post, enjoy the rest of the week!
Step 1: 25 Fans
Getting to 25 fans is a significant milestone for a brand new page. Once you've reached 25 fans for your page, you're allowed to set a vanity name for your page. Pages by default have a long, random number in them, which can make telling people how to find you on Facebook difficult.
However, Facebook lets pages with more than 25 fans set a short, memorable URL for your presence on Facebook, like facebook.com/pagename, instead of facebook.com/pages/pagename/101681279873681
The best tactic for reaching the 25 fan milestone is to ask the people you're already friends with on Facebook. You can send up to 20 friends at a time a short note using Facebook Messages. Feel free to copy/paste the script I've used below (don't forget to attach a link to your page!):
Hey! I just started a new Facebook Page, and Facebook needs me to have 25 fans before I can get a username for my page. I'd really appreciate you being one of the first 25 people to like my page - it would really help me and only takes a few seconds. Here's the link: [Insert your link here]
Once you get your 25 fans, claim your new vanity URL at:
http://www.facebook.com/username
Step 2: 100 Fans
Reaching 100 fans means that you'll no longer be able to change the name of your Facebook Page, so make sure that you've got a name you like, BEFORE using these tactics.
The best tactic for getting to the 100 fan mark is to work your network. Announce your new vanity URL to your friends via a wall post on Facebook. Ask that your friends do 3 quick things to help: (1) like your page - if they haven't already, (2) like your wall post and (3) share your new page by writing a post themselves. Here's a script for you to use:
I've just gotten a cool new username for my Facebook Page. Please help me grow the page by doing 3 quick things: (1) like the page, (2) like this wall post and (3) share this page with a Facebook update that says: "Check out my friend's new page, [Insert your link here] for the tips on running your marketing efforts on social networks."
Step 3: 1000 Fans and Beyond
Having over 1000 fans shows prospective customers that you have a strong fan base on Facebook and gives you a large base of people to reach when you need to announce a sale, drive new sales, or otherwise interact with.
But reaching 1000 fans doesn't need to be an expensive affair. The best way to reliably reach 1000 fans is to take a slow growth strategy using the places you're already getting others attention.
If you have a website, utilize social plugins like the Like Button and Like Box; they are free to add to your site and they do a great job of turning website visitors into fans. If you have an email list, send an email inviting them to become fans on Facebook. If you operate a physical store, add some signage to your window, next to your cash register, or on your receipt.
The ideas are endless, and different for every business, but think about places where you are already getting attention from people and where you could ask them to become your fan on Facebook.
Did you like this article or have tips to share? Please let me know by using the comments section below.
Related articles:
6 Ways To Get Found On Facebook
9 Tips For More Effective Facebook Marketing
5 Ways To Use Facebook To Promote Your Site
Many thanks to Roland Smart of Involver for the content of this article. If you want to stay up to date with the latest blog posts, don't forget to follow via Google Friend Connect (button on sidebar), on Facebook or subscribe to our feed at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/DereksHomeAndBusinessBlog
You can also follow me on Twitter @djones1509, Google+ and on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/djones1509
http://www.facebook.com/DereksHomeandBusinessBlog
Until my next post, enjoy the rest of the week!
Great info, Derek! I was so excited when my page got 25 fans and I grabbed a vanity URL...and just recently it reached step 2! Step 3, 1000 fans...here we come!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Thanks for the tip on the plugin, Derek. I added the FB Like Box to my posts. How do I get the click to land on my fanpage instead of my social page?
ReplyDeleteWell done Becky...keep it going :)
ReplyDeletesome great advice, thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Kerrie,
ReplyDeleteMake sure that you've entered your fan page URL and NOT your social URL on the code setup page at: http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like/.
You can also edit the code to change the URL. You can find full details on how to do this on the above page.
Hope this helps Kerrie.
Thanks Derek! I'm trying to build a blog following and getting this Facebook page going will help me get more exposure. I was stuck at ten and scratching my head on how to get the number up. It is funny how simply asking people makes such a big difference.
ReplyDeleteMy fan page just tipped over 200 fans. I wish I'd known about being able to change the name way back when. I'd kinda like to, but oh well. I'm also a woman and women change their minds once in a while. It's kinda like redecorating your house once in a while.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. I may try it.
Having Facebook audiences is great for your business. You can really boost your revenue with its help.
ReplyDeletedelaware corporation
Thanks for sharing such valuable information. Keep posting such great info for us, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHaving a Facebook fan page is essential to any business. It is the best campaign to use to proliferate your brand and product and gather more audience.
ReplyDeleteThis is really helpful.
ReplyDelete