Your essential guide to Facebook - Webfactory

What is Facebook?
It would be pretty surprising if you've not come across Facebook yet, or not even heard of it. But Facebook is the world’s largest and arguably most popular social network, founded in 2004, over 10 years ago. The platform allows you to share content and media, and is attached to a whole host of applications such as Instagram and many more.

Who uses Facebook?
Facebook boast over a billion active users worldwide. In the UK usage by gender is split almost evenly with 57.9% female and 41% male. The social network is most popular with those between 18 and 34, and a massive 48% of these people will check Facebook as soon as they wake up.

Is it suitable for your business?
Facebook is pretty adaptable to any business; it’s all about how you use it.

The main reasons audiences have cited for their use of Facebook are:

• Receiving updates or comments
• Keeping up to date with news and current events
• Seeing photos and videos
• Seeing entertaining or funny posts.
• Getting Feedback on posted content

Facebook is a huge source of free advertising with a huge audience source just waiting to be tapped by your business. Every second there are 684,478 items shared on Facebook. The average user has around 229 “friends,” when they like your post then there is a ripple effect. For example,, say you have 300 likes, potentially you could reach all of those liker’s friends so 68,700 people, plus you’ll potentially be seen by their friends’ friends. So the better the content, the more likes you’ll get and the more people who will see your post. Facebook still holds the largest daily engagement of any other social media platform. The best way to think of Facebook is as a mini website, you have a gallery, information about your business displayed, and news on products, it will even tell visitors if you are open with a little green icon.

A great example of a company who use Facebook to good effect is Old Spice who have built up an impressive 2.6 million likes. Their page contains a balance of entertainment and information about their products. They have not just built a brand but a lifestyle. Their content is all related to their products to an extent and they have mastered how to engage with their audience. So if you want an idea of how to do it right then check out their Facebook page.

How to get started, creating a profile:

• Visit the Facebook website to get started and simply fill out the relevant information and hit sign up.
• Enter your email to start finding contacts that are already on Facebook.
• Fill out some basic profile information.
• Then upload a profile picture of yourself, if you have a webcam there’s even the option of taking one then and there.
• Use the search bar on the top right to start searching for contacts you may know.
• The dashboard on the left will help you navigate.
• The News feed is where you’ll get status updates and live content running from likes and Facebook friends, whereas your name icon will take you to your own profile.

How to get started, creating a business page:

• Go to your news feed and select the pages icon on the left dashboard.
• Select create a page.
• Choose your category from those on show and fill out the relevant information.
• The next stage is to add a description, your web address etc.
• Then add your profile picture, usually your business logo.
• Then you’re ready to go, so get posting.
• Pick relative content, you want a good balance of informative and entertaining.

Top Tips:

• Pages App: If you have a smart phone or tablet, download the Pages App. It’s great for quick and easy access to your page. It’s also great if you have multiple pages as it keeps them all together without the distraction of a profile. It’s all nicely condensed and makes keeping an eye on things and updating super easy whilst you’re on the go.

• Engagement: Social media is all about sharing. It provides a great way of getting more in touch with your audience. So the trick to get your business out there is to talk to people - get a conversation going. You can attract their attention with promotions and competitions as well as interesting content, and tag other companies etc in posts. For true engagement don’t be tempted to ever buy likes, you’re better off using Facebook advertising (see below) otherwise you won’t find you get much response.

• Advertising: Facebook Advertising is a good way to generate more genuine interest in your page. You can promote the entire page to generate more likes and reach a larger audience, or boost particular posts to generate interest in particular content such as if you've got a new product launching. The great thing about their advertising is that you can set your budget and that can start from as little as £3.50 a day and target specific audiences.