15 Ways To Gain Fans on Your Facebook Page

If I build it, they will come! That theory may work in the movies, but not when it comes to Facebook.

If you want to gain fans on your business Facebook Page, you must find ways to get them there without seeming like a “pest”.  One of the most annoying ways people announce their new Facebook Page is to invite ALL their friends from their personal profile, using “Suggest to Friends”.

Unfortunately, this strategy often backfires.  Here's why:

• Facebook users may decline a fan page request, only to be asked again and again.
• You can only “Like” up to 500 pages and may want to be selective.
• Your fan page suggestions may build up if you don't keep control over it.
• Using this feature is an aggressive way to get fans, and many of your friends won't appreciate it.

I'm not saying to never use “Suggest to Friends”, but don't use it as a blanket suggestion to all your friends. Pick and choose people who would be good prospects or referral partners, and don't use this repeatedly.

There are many other ways to build a fan base on Facebook. Here are several:

1. Embed a Facebook “widget” on your website and blog. There are several options to choose from. Just copy the code and paste it into your sites.  Some of the widgets show your last post and some have the “Like” box so you gain new fans as soon as they click it.
   
   
2. Create a custom Twitter background and include the URL of your Facebook page. Many people who find you on Twitter will also want to connect to you on Facebook.
   
   
3. Add a link to your Facebook Page on your personal Facebook profile. Many people will “friend” your personal page, so be sure to include a link to your business page. And be sure to add http:// to the link or it will not be clickable.
   
   
4. Invite your email newsletter subscribers. If you have an opt-in list on your website or blog, send out an invitation to new subscribers who join your list. And whenever you send out an email or newsletter to your list, include the invitation. If you have an HTML newsletter, include the Facebook logo with a link to your Facebook Page.
   
   
5. Add your Facebook Page to your email signature.  And instead of just linking to your page, ask them to “Write on our Facebook Wall,” or Join our Facebook community.”
   
   
6. Invite your Twitter followers to join you on Facebook. You can also link your Twitter and Facebook accounts so that posts are automatically added to each profile. Since Twitter allows 140 characters and Facebook allows 420, Facebook will truncate your post and insert a link back to your fan page.
   
   
7. Create a Welcome page on Facebook that has a video explaining what your page is about. Also explain who the page is for and why they should click the Like button.
   
   
8. Take lots of photos at networking events and tag people in the photos.  This creates a wall post on their Facebook page, giving you more exposure. 
   
   
9. Link to new blog posts and encourage comments. Not everyone will find your blog online, but if you link to all new posts on Facebook you can create a new following for your blog there.
   
   
10. Add videos to your page. When you upload a video to Facebook, you can take the source code and embed it onto your website or blog. Viewers will be able to click back to your page and see the Like button. The video will also go into your newsfeed so people can click on the Like button if they like the video.
    
    
11. Use the Share Button on YouTube. If you like a video on YouTube and would like to share it, click on Share and then Facebook. It will post the video on your Facebook Page and newsfeed.
    
    
12. Pay for a low cost Facebook ad. Facebook has a social ad feature that can boost your fan base. Just click on Create an Ad and go through the easy wizard. You'll get a good sense of how many Facebook users are in your target market. When your ad goes live, users can become a fan. Another great feature of Facebook ads is that they will display some of your friends that “Like” you, which creates social proof for the business.
    
    
13. Include your Facebook Page URL on all print media. Just as you include your website URL, you can include your Facebook Page URL on business cards, letterhead, newsletters, postcards, etc. Give incentives for joining, such as special offers for Facebook fans only.
    
    
14. Add a Like Button to every blog post or website page. Go to this page to easily create a Like button: http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like
    
    
15. Hyperlink to your Facebook page using the @ tag. If you are a fan of your own page, you can add a post to your personal page letting your friends know about something happening on your Facebook Page. Just use the @ symbol followed by the first few letters of your Facebook Page name – it will appear from a drop-down menu so you can select it. Then your friends can click on the hyperlink back to your business page. You can also use this technique when writing on your friends' walls as a signature. Do not do this every time though, because your friends may not appreciate it.

As Facebook continues to grow and evolve, there will be many more ways to gain fans on your Facebook Page. And if you want your business to keep up with these changing times, it's time to make your presence known on the #1 social media site on the Internet!