USING FACEBOOK TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

Facebook is the social networking site that can get you additional exposure. It is not only a very cool and trendy way to go, but it's a free way to get tons of traffic right now to bring you exposure!

SET UP YOUR PAGE:
After you join Facebook as an individual, you can create a PAGE for your business. Go to the bottom right of your profile page and click HELP. On the HELP CENTER page go down to FACEBOOK APPLICATIONS AND FEATURES, and click on FACEBOOK PAGES. ADS AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS and click on PAGES. Expand the Questions & Answers, and go down to OVERVIEW: WHAT ARE FACEBOOK PAGES? Click on HOW CAN I CREATE A PAGE? and then click the HERE link that appears, which will allow you to start building a page. You will later be able to access your PAGE from your individual personal profile.

After creating my personal profile, because my intent was to get exposure for my business I made my profile 'open', meaning it is viewable without permission to any Facebook user who can then learn about and go to my store's PAGE. (Note: parents, please check make SURE your kids do NOT have an OPEN viewable profile to safeguard them from predators!)

An open profile should have more professional content - avoid creating silly posts or include very personal information/photos that you wouldn't want customers to happen upon. To protect my children I don't have their photos up. The PAGES format has been changing frequently as they make improvements. On your PAGE you can list your website, store hours, create photo albums of the store or product, add video, links, list events or classes, post messages, and more. If you don't even have a website for your store, a Facebook page is a MUST.

Facebook Friends can "Fan" your PAGE, creating a clickable link to your store's Facebook Page on their own profile page - and everyone on their Friends list can then view your page. If that Friend then also becomes a Fan, that allows the Friends list of THAT person to access your Page. And so on. If you have lots of friends who have lots of friends, you will have Page visitors from all over the country! Remember that the content on your store Page is critical, it has to be interesting to draw in the visitor and keep them returning, so that they "fan" you. Lots of images and interesting current content helps.

Facebook is gaining in popularity in adults who want a quick easy way to stay in touch with friends and family (my friend calls it Crackbook, because it has become somewhat of an addiction checking in on what everyone else is up to!) So give Facebook a try, create a page for your business - it is quick and relatively easy. Good luck!

WELCOME TO GIFT SHOP RETAILER!

I am an independent gift shop owner and blogger. This blog is where I will share what I know and have learned about retail - shoestring style.


Let's get right to it: there's not a lot of money to spend on building a business when you are an independent store owner even in good times. With a global economy rapidly eroding, it's frightening and stressful for business owners right now. With massive layoffs, stock values at shocking lows, big stores failing left and right, and the media scaring the daylights out of us every day with more bad news, [note to media: STOP IT! HOW ABOUT A LITTLE GOOD NEWS?!!!] is there any hope for the small mom & pops? I think so.


There are many ways to manage, build, promote, and market your business inexpensively. I'll share what I do. I invite you to share your own tips and successes. I'll make observations and comments on what other businesses do. I'll also post links to sites, information, or contacts that could be of great value to you. Someday this content may become a book, but for now, I like this format.


I invite you to share your comments and questions...