There are a few Dos & Don’ts in Social Media that we haven’t covered yet. One of the biggest questions companies pose is how to increase Facebook fans.
What’s the point of being on Social Media, if no one is seeing your posts, right? 
South African SMMEs often find that once they’re up and running on Facebook, they haven’t the foggiest how to get fans. I often find that, when guiding them through this process, companies react with “but why should I get current clients to follow me, if I want social media to bring me new clientele?”
This may go without saying to those that are well in the know, but, to the average SMME, Facebook is a very confusing platform and it’s enough to ask them to get posting, never mind asking them to understand the anthropology behind it all; so, here’s a quick guide to understanding fans and how to increase them.
This is based on the premise that you already have your Facebook page up and running and that you’re about to start posting, or have already started.
1. Before you do anything, add Facebook and Twitter icons to your email signature, linking to your Facebook page and Twitter page.
This may seem like a moot point – why would you want to encourage fans in people already emailing you, as they’re obviously already interested in your services?
Here you need to remember that Facebook, more so than other Social Networking sites, is based mostly on peer recommendation.
If I ‘like’ a page, my ‘friends’ automatically assume I trust that company, I have used that company and I have found them to provide a good service/product. This is almost as good as your client sending all his colleagues and friends and email saying “Use Joe Soap’s Panel Beaters.”
2. Include the same icons (consistency is key) in any marketing, mail drops or presentations you do. If it’s not electronic, put the link. These days, you don’t need the full URL, all you need to do is put your little icon and ‘/yourcompanyname’ next to it. Like so:

/SaysSEZ
People now know that that means go to www.facebook.com/SaysSEZ to follow us.
3. I’m still harping on about the icon thing, but please put the same icon and ‘/yourcompanyname’ on your business cards.
If someone may have the slightest interest in what you’re doing, they’ll follow you and from that moment on will receive all your updates. It’s consistent, constant and personal branding.
4. Interact with other companies and pages.
The ‘Networking’ in ‘Social Networking’ is there for a reason. If a page adds you (at least in the beginning) add them back. Share other companies’ posts – this will encourage them to share yours and thus market on your behalf to all their followers.
5. Inteact with your fans.
If they comment on a post, keep commenting until they stop. Keep the conversation going. The new Facebook ‘Ticker’ box will show all their friends that they’re commenting on your post, increasing your branding and reputation.
These are just a few tips to help you increase fans. Don’t forget, if you have any questions, I’ll gladly answer them for you.
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