The Facebook Posting Sin: Overposting

when to post on facebookLet’s focus on the keyword “building relationships” when discussing Facebook posts. Meeting people online on social media sites such as Facebook should be viewed the same way as if you’re meeting someone new at a local coffee shop. Most people get to know the other person at their own pace. After time and when trust is earned, they will begin to share and promote their ideas and or products.

The Online Social Butterfly

Have you ever met someone that loves to talk endlessly (AKA: social butterfly)? Some of these individuals have attention deficit tendencies and can talk about anything forever and ever. Some other individuals are just conceited. These type of individuals can be annoying. When a business posts 2-5 messages every day on Facebook, they are doing the same thing! They’re being that salesperson that annoys everyone. After time, everyone will ignore that business! Don’t be that business that pushes away Facebook fans.

What a Facebook “Like” Really Means to Your Business

Getting a Facebook “Like” is an extremely powerful achievement. When your Facebook page gets “Liked” it opens the door for your business to reach out to your customers at any time you choose. However, it can be your worst enemy if you overwhelm your customers with too much content and overly-promotional material.

As an example, let’s say a customer named Jana Smith likes our Facebook Page for Hi-Octane Solutions. Every post that we put on our Facebook page will also be seen on Jana’s news feed. In addition, all of her friends on her personal page can see the posting. Let’s say Jana has 300 friends. Theoretically, that means 300 people would see our post on her page. Since all of our postings are radical and fantastic, Jana’s friends would “Like” our post as well. Next, our posting would appear on Jana’s friends pages. Then, Jana’s friends of friends would see the post too. Wheewww. Hopefully you can follow that?

This is why social media is so powerful. However, how would Jana and her friends feel if we posted 2-3 messages daily about our website design discounts? We would annoy Jana to the point where she would either ignore our posts or “Unlike” our Facebook page. If Jana were to “Unlike” our page, we would lose that opportunity to reach out to hundreds of people on Facebook. That is why it is important to remember that your Facebook followers are human and do not tolerate salesy messages.

Facebook Posting: How Much is Too Much

too much Facebook posts by businessThe staff at Hi Octane Solutions have been using Facebook since its launch in 2004 and have seen many competitors, potential clients and professionals fail at building relationships with their customers on Facebook. The common reason why their Facebook Marketing strategies fail is because of over-posting and content that did not engage their followers.

Source: MarketingCharts.com: Overposting Drives Away Facebook Fans

You’re probably asking the question; how much is too much? The direct answer is it depends on the type of business (as a rule of thumb, limit your Facebook posts to one to three every week). For example, a restaurant in Toledo, Ohio should limit promotional postings to one or two times each week. If you want to be more aggressive with your Facebook postings, avoid promotional material. Promote local events and brainstorm ways to incorporate these events with your place of business.

Here is an example of a post on Facebook for a restaurant in Monroe, Michigan. We made a posting about the opening day for the Detroit Tigers. We wrote, “Looking forward to the Tigers opening day? Watching the game and enjoying good food and drinks with our closest Tigers fans. Remember, parking, hot dogs and peanuts are free”.  This message was posted a few days before the event.

Tragically, other companies would take a completely different approach. They might write something like this. “ Watch the Tigers game at (Name here) and enjoy hot dogs for $3.00 and beer for $1.50. Special only lasts on the Tigers opening day”. This company posted this message daily five days in a row.

Which approach do you think received more user engagement? Hopefully you said the first approach. The second approach would receive little or no user engagement. It may even turn off Facebook followers completely.

As I digress from the topic of this article, treat your Facebook postings as if you are walking up to each one your customers face to face. Would you just ramble on and on about a sale or actually try to get to know the customer?

Using the restaurant again as an example, ask them if they are a Tigers fan and invite them to come in to spend more time with them. Next, depending on the type of responses you receive, talk about the specials you offer. However, that should be after you have some type of engagement with the customer.  

over posting on business facebook pagesSorry if this sounds redundant, but I want to make sure my point is clear. Over posting on Facebook is like throwing twenty sheets of promotional brochures in your customer’s face right after you had a heartfelt handshake. This does not sound like a friendly business owner does it?

No one wants to be subjected to this. In addition, Facebook followers can simply “Unlike” a business page to avoid this awkward and annoying encounter. It is ok to be a “social butterfly” online. However, don’t be that social butterfly that everyone wants to shoot down.

If you want to focus more on promotional advertising on Facebook, use Facebook Ads for that. Growing your list of Facebook followers can be challenging, however give it time and a little trial and error. There are no direct answers on how many Facebook posts are too much. However, the answer will be clear after time. When users are “Liking” and commenting on your Facebook posts, you are headed in the right direction. When you stop seeing user engagement and a reduction in “Likes” you know you not using the right approach. 

We would like to hear from you! List your experiences on Facebook. What have you discovered to be too much Facebook posting? How did you know you crossed the line with your Facebook followers?


Hi Octane Solutions is an experienced website design and social media marketing firm in Toledo, Ohio.

Posted by: Brennan Deitsch

Twitter Ads Available to Toledo Small Businesses

Twitter Ads Are Finally Available to Toledo Area Small Businesses

twitter ads for small business

 

That’s right! Twitter ads are finally available to small businesses! Before, only large corporations were able to advertise on Twitter. However, as we close upon March of 2012, thanks to American Express, small businesses can now tread the waters of Twitter advertising

Twitter has made an agreement with American Express to allow the small business industry advertise on Twitter. The only catch is that advertisers need to be American Express card members and merchants based in the U.S. In addition, American Express will give you $100 in free Twitter advertising for the first 10,000 businesses that sign-up! 

Why Twitter Advertising is Important to your Small Business in Toledo?

The simple answer is to gain more followers for your Twitter account and to extend the reach of your Twitter campaign. However, it is up to you as an advertiser to build relationships with your new customers. Let’s make this even more simple; adding followers on Twitter will not get you more sales leads. Getting relevant followers for your Twitter page is step one. However, the quality of the interactions you have with your followers is the most important part of your Twitter advertising strategy. Twitter does not allow much room to write your messages, so make them count! 

Hi Octane Solutions is an experienced Social Media Marketing Company helping Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan small businesses understand the what, why and how of social media in 2012. 

Posted by: Brennan Deitsch

Think Facebook Recruiting is Not Real? Think again!

Facebook Recruiting- A Win-Win Situation For Ohio & Michigan Job Seekers and Employers

facebook recruiting for ohio jobs

With the employment rate hovering around 8.5 percent in Ohio and 9.3% in Michigan, chances are you or someone you know is unemployed. Facebook can be so much fun and time always seems to fly by, especially if you have no job. You can stalk old friends, harass friends and family (not recommended) and scream in anger when your 10 year old brother beats you in Words with Friends 522 to 43. However, did you know that your Facebook page and online social activity may help you get your next job. That’s right. Some of the conversations you have with other professionals on Facebook could be your job interview! Before you say "OMG", read on to learn how to make sure you are following the Facebook Recruiting rules.

The Facebook Recruiting Rules for Job Seekers in Ohio & Michigan

jobs in toledo oh facebook

Rule #1. Never post strange, sexual or offensive pictures on Facebook. That includes drunken fairy pictures, even if it is Halloween.

If job recruiting companies in Toledo or Michigan are searching for big time talent on Facebook, do you think they would hire this guy? Not likely. Make sure you’re presenting your personality and talent on Facebook, but make sure your page is professional looking!

Rule #2. Protect Yourself! Don’t let your friends ruin your reputation.

Even if your Facebook page is professional, make sure you are not allowing your friends to post rude and offensive comments. That can destroy your chances of getting a job from Facebook recruiters.

Rule #3: Facebook is a great networking tool for job seekers and job recruiters.

If there is a company or job recruiter that is sparking your interest, try to get to know them. Connect with them on LinkedIn and if you feel comfortable enough, add them as a friend on Facebook. Don’t be too pushy, share unique and useful information with them and show them that you have the skills necessary to succeed at the position you are seeking.

Rule #4. Be active on Facebook.

Answer questions and comment on posts. Don’t let Facebook recruiters forget how valuable you really are!

Facebook Recruiting Rules for Job Recruiters in Ohio & Michigan:

Rule #1: Sit back and observe.

As you network with potential hires for your clients, monitor the Facebook activity of the job seeker. Is this person hire-worthy?

Rule #2: Design creative and clean Facebook pages.

Make it easy for job seekers to find the information they are looking for in regards to jobs and other information.

Rule #3: Share unique and useful information.

Depending on how job seekers respond to your posts, the interaction at this point is important to determine the skills, work ethics and personality of the individual.

Rule #4: Listen to job seekers and respond.

Don’t just post comments on Facebook, let job seekers do the talking.

Rule #5: Create polls, quizzes and contests. 

This will get your job seekers engaged. Facebook recruiters can learn a lot from these interactions. 

According to HireRabbit.com, 48% of job seekers use social media job hunting. If you are getting frustrated in your job search, make sure your Facebook page represents you well. You might be in the spotlight and not even know it. Take advantage of Facebook for job recruiting in the year 2012. With a little time and effort on your part, you will eventually find success! 

Posted by: Brennan Deitsch