Running an effective Facebook Fanpage

When I first found out that people were selling from their Facebook fanpage, I thought... “GREAT! Yet another thing to add to my busy schedule."

I already had a Twitter account and constantly “tweeted” but never made any sales from it, so I was REALLY skeptical about looking into making a Facebook fanpage. I decided to stop “tweeting” and jumped on the Facebook bandwagon.

WELL, a few months into it and I am making a good amount of sales through my page. Probably the same traffic and same amount of business as my Etsy page (which is pretty busy).

I have almost 1,600 fans.

And my page is active and gets a lot of participation from my fans.

So, I thought I would share what works for me and what doesn’t work for me, in the hopes that some of you guys can take some advice and benefit.

Even if you don't have an Etsy shop, you could always have a Facebook fanpage...to test the waters and see if online selling is for you.

(Disclaimer: I do realize that what works for one, won't work for another etc and you might be doing something on the list and it will work for you…no worries, keep doing it.

I am only stating what works on my personal facebook page) WHAT I DO 1) I become a friend to my fans.

You have no idea how many of my customers have added my personal page and we have become friends.

I treat each customer special.

I always treat them they way I would like to be treated.

On my page, my fans are not just a number.

They are real people.

2) I run sales, discounts etcEXCLUSIVELY for my facebook fans.

It makes them feel special and it gives them a purpose to belonging to my page.

I have a running discount or incentive (ie: free earring with any purchase) for my Facebook followers.

3) Having said that, I don’t run sales ALL the time.

I see some pages run CONSTANT sales.

I feel that if you are CONSTANTLY running sales, customers will stop buying from you during non-sales and will just wait until you have a sale.

Also, I feel that by running 15% or 25% sales ALL the time, you are just giving the impression that your items are overpriced.

4) I am ALWAYS writing something on my page...

Custom orders I have done.

New photos of my jewelry being worn that a customer sent in.

Trends.

Interesting facst etc about jewelry.

Blog articles I have written.

I try to update my page everyday with at least 3 posts every day (scattered through out the day).

I honestly, start deleting pages if they haven't written anything on their page in months.

5) My content is always pertaining to my business and jewelry.

I don't share recipes for cakes.

I don't have tutorials for scrapbooking.

I feel that if a customer wants to find a recipe for a pie, they wouldn't be following my page.

They are following my page to get a glimpse into the world of jewelry making and the magic that comes with it.

WHAT I DON’T DO 1) I don’t talk about my husband, my family or my kid too much. My fans know I have a son who is 2.5 but that’s about it. I try to keep my personal life private and resist talking about things my son did, ate or said.That’s what my personal page is for.

2) I dont talk about religion, politics or things that happened in the news.

Thats what my personal page and CNN is for.

I feel that my fans don't follow my page to find out the latest happening in the world is.I REFUSE to get into debates about touchy topics like Abortion, Capital Punishment etc

That's a HUGE no-no in my books.

I keep my opinions to myself and that way, you don't risk offending one of your customers.

3) I don't spam my page with

"check out this new listing"

"go follow my friend SHOP XYZ"

"enter the giveaway I am hosting"

"I am having a sale"

Yes, I do mention the above sentences a few times, but I don't over do it.

4) I never talk bad about another business, person or entity.

It's just bad business practice.

And with that in mind, I resist writing ANYTHING negative on my page.

I feel that my fans dont want to sign on Facebook and read something negative from my page.

I try to keep the mood light and always share something magical on my page.

Hope these points helped a little.

Good luck...if you want to give Facebook selling a try.

It works for me and hope it works for you.

If you want to come be a part of the magic, feel free to drop by:

http://www.facebook.com/BuySomeLove

xoxo

Kristina

http://www.buysomelove.ca/