Yesterday, after practice, I told my band members to check out the photos I posted in our Facebook Group. One of my band members (and I won’t mention who) said “I never use Facebook, I can’t figure out what I would use it for.” I know what you’re thinking…a life without Facebook is just unimaginable.
Could I live without my daily fix of finding out what my friends are up to, what kind of events are happening or without viewing the latest SNL video making fun of Sarah Palin? I’m just not sure. I’ve joined groups, posted photos and videos and kept in contact with people I haven’t seen in 20 years. The question isn’t what would I use Facebook for; it is what wouldn’t I use it for?
Aside from using Facebook as a social networking tool to keep up with friends, events and other stuff, Facebook can be used to help promote businesses, bands, events, political beliefs and more.
Take, for example, my band. I set up a Facebook Group for my band Muddy Boots (feel free to join if you feel so inclined). Facebook Groups are designed to interact with your audience and create word of mouth among your friends and fans. This is a place where the band and our fans can go to post videos, pictures, comments or discussions related to the band and our music. So far this has been an effective tool in getting the word our about our music and upcoming gigs. And miraculously, people show up to our shows.
Aside from paid advertising, there are other ways to market a business on Facebook such as setting up a Facebook Page. Pages and Groups on Facebook are similar in that their purpose remains the same, to interact with your fan base, but one difference I have experienced is that a Page allows you to offer a little more information about your business and is a little more professional. It offers stats of who is visiting your page so you can measure how effective it is. It also allows you to feed a blog directly into your page, which I haven’t been able to do in a Facebook Group. This means if you’re updating your blog frequently, you’re automatically updating your Facebook Page as well without even logging in. It’s amazing.
I guess the easiest way to think of Facebook Pages and Groups is to think of it as online PR, as it is essential to promote your brand (or band) and encourage word of mouth. And though it shouldn’t be your only tool in your marketing toolbox, it should definitely be a part of your overall branding strategy. If you keep up with providing compelling content and a reason for visitors to come back, the potential for your brand to grow is immeasurable.
