HOW TO CREATE AND MANAGE A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Every retail business needs a Facebook page. It is as essential as a phone line.

Facebook today represents the single most cost effective way of reaching people close enough to drive to your business for sought-after products that you have.

If you do not have a business Facebook page today, our single most important advice is to start now. It is easy, and fast. You can have a page live in five minutes. Seriously, five minutes.

We suggest you choose a Local Business type page.

It will not let you use newsXpress XXX so start with NewsXpress XXX and go back and edit it.

Enter information about your business, your address, phone, email and the link to your website - either one of your newsXpress sites or your new newsXpress local site.

Do not turn on reviews for the business.

Do not think too long about the main photo or the small photo as we suggest you change these every three months anyway. However, use photos that are meaningful. Not your logo. Not a distance shot. Go with photos that emotionally reflect the business.

Start with some simple posts. To get connected to people, boost them, but for one day only. Only boost for $2.00 until you see how people in your area engage.

Write about products in a fun way. Announce news. Share opinions on what you sell. Ask people their opinion.

Keep your text crisp and on point.

Post at least once a day. Our advice is to do a few posts at once and schedule them.

Handling negative feedback.

Social media provides everyone with a megaphone. Many click post before thinking. You will be criticised at some point. Cop it. acknowledge it. Respond with care and grace. Remember, on social media there are plenty of watchers.

Be careful with shares.

Share posts to your page that are relevant to your business. We suggest you not share any posts from local businesses that are or could be competitors.

Shine a light on customers.

Posts about customers can be wonderful. Post photos of them, with their permission, and what they have nought and love.

See our other Facebook advice:

1. Establishing a community page.
2. Running a Facebook competition.
3. Top tips for efficient Facebook posts.
4. The value of a multiple Facebook page strategy.