Social networks are a great tool for promoting small businesses and companies. You have the opportunity to spread awareness about your business, attract new customers, and better understand your existing ones. The most popular platform in our country, Facebook, allows you to do just that. However, creating a strong base requires high-quality and regular posts. We bring you original ideas for posts that will set your Facebook page apart from the competition.
1) Ask for advice
Of course, the purpose of any website or Facebook page is to advise its readers. However, if you reverse this habit once in a while, you will get a great response from your fans. Your post will become more visible, and so will your website. Not sure what such a post might look like? Try, for example…
- What would you do if…
- One of our readers has a question… How would you help?
- I would like to introduce a new service / change the interior of my store / open a new branch, and I would like to hear your opinion.
You can ask anything you want; the point is that people love to give advice and share their opinions.
Tip: You can then use the answers you receive to write a blog post, and another original post is born!
2) Spark a debate on Facebook page
This idea is more for the daring and for those who are willing to engage in discussion with strangers. Express your opinion on a current topic or just ask your Facebook page fans for their opinions. This is a very effective way to spark conversation with fans and liven up your usual feed. However, be careful not to choose a topic that is too sensitive or inappropriate. If it doesn’t suit your business, avoid politics altogether. But you’ll find plenty of topics for debate on both sides:
- Do you think small businesses should be closed? (during the coronavirus crisis)
- Do you think traditional printed books are on the decline?
- How much time on Facebook do you think is just right?
- As you can see, the possibilities are almost endless. You can debate absolutely anything, and it’s up to you to decide which topic to tackle.
3) Tell a story
Typical posts should be short, concise, to the point, and call for action. However, once in a while, you can break this unwritten rule of digital marketing and share a longer story. Yes, people like to read, and if they come across an engaging story right on Facebook page, even better. However, you should still follow the rule of relevance to your company or industry. You can write about the following:
- How you started your business.
- About a product/service – how you came up with it/how it helped you/how it is manufactured.
- About a business mistake you made in the beginning.
- Why you chose this field.
- What fulfills you in your work.
- If you are a sole proprietor, you can also share a personal story (how you spend Christmas, where you went on vacation, etc.). This will increase the personality and credibility of your page and your business.
4) Follow Event
You will definitely earn brownie points with your fans by offering them space. Once a week/month/year, announce a Follow Event, where your followers can share their links, invitations to groups, etc. on your page. Your audience will appreciate the free promotional space, and you will be rewarded with loyal fans. However, if you don’t want to clutter your wall with irrelevant posts, share links via Facebook Stories.
5) Marketing is (fill in the blank)
A larger number of comments also increases the likelihood that your post, and therefore your page, will appear in the main news feed. The following tip is also great for this, where you share an image and just put in the description:
- If I won the lottery, the very first thing I would do is ______.
- If I had three wishes, I would wish for _____.
- The best Christmas cookies are _____.
- The best thing about summer is ______.
- Happiness is when _____.
There are no limits to your imagination. Fill-in-the-blank is a universal lifesaver when you run out of ideas.
6) Share blog articles… With a description!
This is a subtle way to link to your website, and it is the most commonly used tactic for promotion on social media. However, some people publish only links without any description, which is a really unnecessary beginner’s mistake. You should always let readers know what the topic is and where the link will take them. A short call to action, a comment, or a few bullet points can work wonders. Don’t expect people to enthusiastically click on meaningless links.
7) Post behind-the-scenes photos
Another unusual post is photos showing what goes on behind the scenes. People will find it entertaining, and it will bring them closer to the real you. Seeing that there are real people behind the service or product you offer will add to your brand’s authenticity, humanity, and trustworthiness. Some posts can also be really interesting.
- Do you own a shop? Film how you decorate for Christmas or transform your shop window.
- Do you own an e-shop? Take your customers on a live tour of your warehouse.
- Do you run a craft business? Show how you tile a bathroom, paint a room, or repair a roof.
- Share photos from company events, lunches, or team building activities.
These ideas for unusual Facebook posts will help you liven up your page, get to know your customers better, and stand out from the competition.
As part of your MBA studies, you will learn more about using social media for your business, for example in the International Marketing and Social Media course.
