Dear Aunty B,
It seems like all I read about in the news these days is another business making yet another mistake on social media. So I want to know – do I really need to worry about setting up a Facebook page?
I recently started a small food production business and I worry that creating a Facebook page would just be more hassle than it’s worth. I don’t have time as it is to write Facebook posts and what if something goes wrong with my account and I don’t know how to fix it?
Sharon,
Adelaide
Dear Sharon,
I’m afraid you’re not going to like my advice: you need to be on Facebook.
As marketing expert from Swish Design Kelly Exeter explains in this great blog post from last year, millions of Australians are using Facebook and they are using it a lot. So why wouldn’t you want to at least be where new customers can find you?
According to Exeter, you’ll find every adult demographic represented on Facebook and “one of the major ‘rules’ of connecting with potential clients/followers is to ‘go hang out where they are’.”
“So not only does Facebook offer you the ability to hang out where your target market is hanging out, it offers you the ability to do it Every Single Day,” Exeter says.
The other valuable thing about Facebook marketing, according to Exeter, is the variety of content you can share with your fans. Photos of your beautiful food? Easy. A recipe that you’ve created? No problem.
Yes, things can and do go wrong and also to get real traction on Facebook these days you will probably have to consider handing over some cash for ads. But social is now firmly a part of doing business.
If I was starting a new business today, I know where I would be. However, for now I am happy to hang out wherever there is a G&T to keep me company.
Be Smart,
Aunty B
I’m SmartCompany’s resident Agony Aunt. Have a problem to solve? Just ask. @IamAuntyB #AuntyB
