So, you’ve got a Facebook Page, tried your best to post as much as you can

.. maybe you’ve even gone on a course

but you just don’t seem to be getting the results you expected?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone and it’s something we get asked about all the time

The number one thing you need be aware of is that Facebook (or rather its clever algorithm) tracks everything you post to your Facebook Page

PLUS how your fans engage with your posts!

Facebook’s algorithm then calculates how popular your future posts are likely to be.

In short, if someone hasn’t interacted with your page in a while, they aren’t going to see your posts!

On average, studies suggest less than 20% of your fans will actually see one of your posts.

So, what can you do to make the most of your posts and help boost your reach?

Here are our 7 top tips to improve your online visibility and get more of your posts seen on Facebook.

1. Remember, it’s SOCIAL media!

Sorry, I know that seems obvious but the simple truth is most companies still use their Facebook Page purely to sell and totally miss the all-important “social” part.

Social media’s arrival has been a godsend for consumers who were sick to death of feeling unappreciated or ignored (especially) by larger faceless corporations.

Many businesses are now realising that social media is a two-way channel and that they need to engage with their customers.

They have had to wake up and accept that they need to start thinking like small-town shop owners.

Do businesses sell successfully on Facebook?

Absolutely, and they sell because they recognise it’s “social” media and not simply a free sales tool to bombard folk with their latest offer.

These businesses make sure they are the “go to” place when their customers are looking for friendly advice, to be educated, to be inspired, want to keep up with latest trends, or just to make them smile.

If you want to delve deeper into this huge subject then I would recommend a great book called The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk.

If you want to get the key messages from the book then you can quickly read these “13 Nuggets of Greatness from The Thank You Economy”

2. Content DOES matter

So, constant business posts and price tags aren’t going to reach out to your customers.

In fact, corporate advertisements and a sales pitch on every post are only going to turn off your followers.

Relevant and engaging content is a way of communicating with customers, whilst also getting the message across about your brand.

Posting one to three times a day can seem daunting at first, however, it gives you the opportunity to open up a dialogue with customers and work out what it is they want to see more of.

Just keep this in mind; don’t get lazy with the content and don’t be overbearing with the sales pitch.

Talk about your industry. Talk about your location. Educate people on your brand and marketplace. Talk to the people who are potential customers, and every once in a while post a positive quote, a client testimonial, some form of interesting fact. Enjoy it!

Try to stick to posting just 1 sales post for, at least, every 9 informative posts.

Two great examples of how to sell using Facebook are Ricky Gervais and Hugh Jackman.

If you have ever visited Ricky’s Facebook Page then you will have no doubt seen :-

  • his unforgettable bathtime pics
  • the deleted scenes and bloopers he shares of his previous work
  • his obvious love for animals (and their welfare)
  • his video adventures with his cat Ollie
  • the somewhat “harsh” pics of his wife’s lack of friends (we all hope know he is joking)

BUT his 4 million+ followers also know when his latest film is coming out and when he is on tour.

Equally, pop over to Hugh Jackman’s Facebook Page and note how :-

  • he provides his followers with his approach to exercise and diet (Wolverine’s Tips!)
  • his travels and his love for his family
  • his love of food

BUT 24 million followers also are kept right up to date with what movie he is filming and what movie he is currently promoting.

What film wouldn’t take that into consideration when casting their next lead role?

… and it’s not just celebrities.

There are now plenty of highly successful individuals having a bigger influence on their industry than some huge PR and marketing agencies.

People of all ages, often from their homes, are creating content which their followers love.

  • 8-year-old kids are creating content that shifts more toys than a creative agency with a huge budget.
  • 15-year-old girls are creating content that sells more makeup than a full page advert in Vogue.
  • 73-year-olds are getting more followers on healthy lifestyles than authors on the New York best sellers list.

Welcome to 21st-century marketing.

Another great book by Gary Vaynerchuk is Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook and it shows you in even more detail how to create great content.

No time to read the book? No problem here is an animated video, for the book, explaining how one Youtuber grew his channel to a HUGE number by following the above approach.

3. Timing Is Everything

“What are the Best Times to Post on Facebook?” (plus Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin)

This is, without a doubt, one of our most frequently asked questions.

Type “What are the Best Times to Post on Facebook? “ into Google and you will see there around 280 million results!

The bad news is…

you may have to invest quite a few hours of testing and checking your Facebook Insights to truly discover your best times to post on Facebook.

The good news is…

You can quickly check this handy infographic which covers all the best times for not only Facebook but also Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Linkedin.

4. Facebook Post length

No matter what your industry, essay-like posts are never going to get the engagement that short succinct posts will.

Newsfeeds are already bursting with thousands of other businesses trying to make their voice heard.

Quick snippets of information and a compelling headline are far more likely to catch someone’s attention.

Why not think about starting a blog or creating a landing page on your website and linking back through social media?

Trying to keep posts under 140 characters will help to improve readability and make sure your message doesn’t get lost in busy newsfeeds.

5. Get Comfortable With Using Video

This is a huge opportunity!

Videos on Facebook account for less than 1% of all posts BUT they get nearly 10% of ALL Facebook reach.

If you haven’t started using video on Facebook, then start now!

Facebook Live videos get an ever bigger push by Facebook and that means you will get your business seen on even more folk’s timelines.

Bonus Tip: Pin your first video to the top of your Facebook Page, so it’s the first thing your customers see.

6. Give people a reason to engage

Call to actions are a great way to do just that, ask your audience to take action!

Whether that is filling out a survey, a request to contact you or a checkout, asking the customer to do something gives clear instruction on what needs to happen next.

This could involve posting a question or a stance relevant to your industry and then asking your customer to “like it to agree” or share it to “disagree”.

This is turn can lead to an open debate in the comments with you and other customers.

It’s a great way to raise your reach and open up a dialogue with your readers.

7. Analyse your insights and post for their convenience

Using Facebook insights is a great way to track your posts success, keep track of when your followers are online and find out what kind of content they want to see more of.

Timing and the reach of your posts are also a contributing factor in your reach and engagement.

Making sure you post the right updates at the right time for your demographic will help to ensure they are hearing your latest news.

Running a business and keeping your digital marketing up to date can be a real challenge. But if you take care of your social media profiles and online marketing you’ll be able to build a relationship with customers and spread the word at an affordable rate.

Give it a shot and see just how an increased Facebook reach can help build your web traffic and maximise your sales.