Facebook presents a unique marketing opportunity for businesses and companies.

The number of social media website users has been vastly increasing over the years, and businesses and companies have noticed and are making sure to keep up with current trends.

Marketing products and businesses on Facebook has a viral effect because the information you put out spreads far quickly, and is FREE.

Facebook and Business

What does Facebook provide? Customer Interaction–Facebook gives companies the forum and the opportunity to

build and better relationships with target audiences and their customers. Reputation Management– Facebook allows businesses to gain a deeper

understanding of how their brand is perceived online through direct feedback and monitoring what users are saying.

New Customer Acquisition–Facebook pages are able to go viral and reach new viewers due to free advertisement on personal Facebook pages.

Feedback Mechanism–Facebook allows users to communicate their experiences directly and give the company the opportunity to respond.

Branding– Facebook can be used as a medium for creating brand awareness in addition to a company’s corporate website. It provides brand exposure to what may be a new audience and gives organizations the opportunity to position themselves in new and unique ways.

Drive Web Traffic– As a Facebook page grows its fan base, traffic to the company website will increase. Facebook pages also appear in Universal Search Results.

1. Customize.

Components of a Successful Facebook Account

2. Feature items that are on sale and/or special deals going on.

3. Set aside a forum for customer interaction.

4. Include reviews (both positive and negative) and encourage fun interaction through activities such as a daily poll.

5. Link to Facebook on other social media sites or print advertisements.

According to Mindflash.com, roughly 45% of employers now use social media sites to inquire about and screen potential hires.

Of those surveyed, 35%of employers were reported to have found content that caused them not to hire a candidate for their desired position.

18% of employers have found information that has facilitated their decision to hire.

Facebook and YOU: Social Screening by Businesses Using Facebook

When applying for a job position, make sure you are aware of what exactly is on your Facebook page.

DO: Express creativity, use proper grammar and

punctuation Include awards, accolades and achievements Make sure you are aware of exactly what you are

publishing and who will be able to see it (once you submit something, it has the capability to spread through the internet forever).

Do’s & Dont’s

DON’T: Use provocative or inappropriate language Show self-incriminating photographs Release content about drinking or drug use Bad mouth family, friends, or previous co-workers

or clients Lie about qualifications, awards or accolades Release confidential information about others

Facebook has dominated the social media aspect of business.

With the right knowledge and information, we can use Facebook as an advantage in business and consumer affairs.

Whether we are working for a business or working to become hired, we are a generation that has the opportunity to do great things through this powerful social media website.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/04/new-infographic-shows-how-companies-target-unemployed_n_918816.html

http://www.techipedia.com/2010/how-to-use-facebook-for-business-and-marketing/

http://www.mindflash.com

http://gigaom.com/collaboration/32-ways-to-use-facebook-for-business/

Work Cited