A recent announcement from Facebook might just have some adverse effects on your ecommerce business. The company announced that a special algorithm will be used to determine which page announcements will be shown and at what time so that users always receive content that is relevant. If you’re expecting your ecommerce business page content to reach all of your followers’ timelines when you post, think again.
Facebook continues to be a popular medium for people to communicate, to share what they like and dislike, and check out businesses. With the amount of people currently using Facebook at an all time high, having your posts not only seen but also engaged with is harder than ever. The recent change by Facebook will only make your job more difficult.
With organic distribution becoming increasingly difficult, paying for advertising on Facebook is one of the easiest ways (although not the cheapest) to get your posts noticed. However, just paying for advertising space isn’t going to be enough. You must still work to create connections with your customers, and the only way to do that is to continue providing quality content through all media.
Since Facebook is now focusing more on that "quality" content, you’ll need to start paying closer attention to your posts sooner rather than later. If you’re still relying on simple touches throughout the day, it’s time to step up your game. Here are 8 examples of how to make your Facebook posts more engaging and obtain more business from your posts.
1. Make Your Posts Timely
Have offers that are specifically for Christmas? Start posting about it in November, not the last week before Christmas or in the middle of summer.
2. Make Your Posts Relevant
Is your product something that people would not only like but also share with others? Make sure your posts connect with your audience so they engage and interact with you and your posts.
3. Ask Questions and/or Use Polls
Nothing is more engaging than asking someone a question or eliciting their opinion. Often, they will share these with their friends, especially if they find the questions or polls funny or interesting.
4. Use Photos or Videos
A short video demonstration of your product can go a long way to boost sales. Posts that just contain words can easily be scrolled passed and missed. However, posts with pictures and/or videos garner a lot more hits, shares, and engagements.
5. Keep it Short & Simple
The attention span for readers on Facebook isn’t that long. If you have a long post, it will, more likely than not, be scrolled past for the next photo or short and funny post. Think of how you would phrase something for Twitter and use that for your Facebook posts.
6. Interact
This is a big one. Nothing makes a bigger impact than replying and interacting with people who engage your posts. This creates a human element to your company and lets them know that you are paying attention, that you care what they have to say, and will return in kind.
7. Track Your Page Insights
Just like with a business blog, look at what posts are racking up the most views, likes, and shares, and when. If you see a trend, jump on that and optimize your posts to take advantage of your viewership trends.
8. Host a Contest
People love contests. They are fun and can bring a lot more exposure to your page and your brand. Maybe people have to submit a picture using your product or just “like” the post to be entered. However you want to do it, make it fun and engaging. People will check you out just for the opportunity to get something for free. Make it worth their while.
Creating posts like these don’t take much time as long as you are organized and put in a little bit of time on your post creation. Using these eight tips will help bring your Facebook page to the forefront. You will have more engagement, more interactions, and ultimately more business than other organizations in your niche.
Originally published Jan 14, 2014 2:00:00 PM, updated January 18 2023