Posted on: April 15, 2014
Posted by: Chelsea Oliver
Categories:
Development
In Facebook Etiquette Part 1, we discussed over-posting, when to quiet down, hashtag use, upbeat tone, the “80/20 rule” and avoiding being a copy-cat. While these 6 tips are great, they’re only the tip (pun intended) of the social media etiquette iceberg. Following Facebook best practices is a genuine way to get your page noticed, expand your reach and target potential customers. Keep it classy online with the following 5 tips.
Don’t Request “Likes”
Asking users and other companies to “like” your post or page is a no-no. An old-school tactic that got old pretty fast, you especially want to avoid posting this request on others’ pages. Seen as unprofessional, the proper way to generate “likes” is through genuine interaction and providing valuable content to users. If people genuinely like what you’re posting, you won’t have to ask for it.
Avoid Complaining and Patronizing
Remember that tip about positivity? It’s also important to avoid using Facebook, and social media networks in general, as a sounding board for complaints. Applicable to personal pages too, trust us, no one wants to read it. Similarly, never patronize or act condescendingly towards users. Keep all engagement polished and respond to negative comments in a timely, empathetic manner.
Personalize It
While sending out mass messages was once all the rage, personalizing your Facebook communication has taken its place. For every comment and direct message, take the time to craft a genuine response and foster a personal connection. Cookie-cutter replies and, even worse, a simple “thanks!” do not reflect a business that truly cares about each and every customer. Making the effort is more than worth it.
Face Backlash Head-On
It’s all too common for businesses on Facebook to shut down communication at the first sign of trouble. While staying silent may seem like a good strategy for avoiding complicating the situation, this only emphasizes the problem and, at times, encourages negativity. Own up to the situation by responding to backlash quickly and cordially.
Set a Time Frame
If you’re a business with a solid following, build credibility by establishing a timeline for responses. In a visible spot, such as the “About Us” section, list how long users should expect to wait for a reply to their issue, concern or question. A 24 or 48-hour response time is typically recommended. This is valuable information that will help prevent upset brought on by wait times.
While the world of Facebook dos and don’ts may seem overwhelming, the basics to keep in mind are to be genuine and provide value – ask yourself: would you find this content, response or status update useful and engaging? Stay on track to building your business page through positivity, personalization and professional interaction.
Image Credits: Voxxi & Bruce K. Wilson
In Facebook Etiquette Part 1, we discussed over-posting, when to quiet down, hashtag use, upbeat tone, the “80/20 rule” and avoiding being a copy-cat. While these 6 tips are great, they’re only the tip (pun intended) of the social media etiquette iceberg. Following Facebook best practices is a genuine way to get your page noticed, expand your reach and target potential customers. Keep it classy online with the following 5 tips.
Don’t Request “Likes”
Asking users and other companies to “like” your post or page is a no-no. An old-school tactic that got old pretty fast, you especially want to avoid posting this request on others’ pages. Seen as unprofessional, the proper way to generate “likes” is through genuine interaction and providing valuable content to users. If people genuinely like what you’re posting, you won’t have to ask for it.
Avoid Complaining and Patronizing
Remember that tip about positivity? It’s also important to avoid using Facebook, and social media networks in general, as a sounding board for complaints. Applicable to personal pages too, trust us, no one wants to read it. Similarly, never patronize or act condescendingly towards users. Keep all engagement polished and respond to negative comments in a timely, empathetic manner.
Personalize It
While sending out mass messages was once all the rage, personalizing your Facebook communication has taken its place. For every comment and direct message, take the time to craft a genuine response and foster a personal connection. Cookie-cutter replies and, even worse, a simple “thanks!” do not reflect a business that truly cares about each and every customer. Making the effort is more than worth it.
Face Backlash Head-On
It’s all too common for businesses on Facebook to shut down communication at the first sign of trouble. While staying silent may seem like a good strategy for avoiding complicating the situation, this only emphasizes the problem and, at times, encourages negativity. Own up to the situation by responding to backlash quickly and cordially.
Set a Time Frame
If you’re a business with a solid following, build credibility by establishing a timeline for responses. In a visible spot, such as the “About Us” section, list how long users should expect to wait for a reply to their issue, concern or question. A 24 or 48-hour response time is typically recommended. This is valuable information that will help prevent upset brought on by wait times.
While the world of Facebook dos and don’ts may seem overwhelming, the basics to keep in mind are to be genuine and provide value – ask yourself: would you find this content, response or status update useful and engaging? Stay on track to building your business page through positivity, personalization and professional interaction.
Image Credits: Voxxi & Bruce K. Wilson
