With over 75% of UK households connected to the Internet and over 30 million people on Facebook, it’s become commonplace for people to use the social media platform to not only stay in touch with friends and family, but to keep up to date with their favorite businesses. However, despite these statistics, there are thousands of small businesses across the country without any web presence, let alone social media accounts.
For the budget-conscious business owner, creating a Facebook page is free. Sure, it’s somewhat limited in style and interface, but it’s still a web presence for your business and a place for consumers to go to for a phone number, address, and other key information.
Best of all, a Facebook page allows you to engage with the people who are interested in your business. You can thank customers for their business, respond to customer complaints, and market your business to the people who are most likely to support your company.
The prospect of creating a Facebook page, let alone maintaining one, might seem like a tall mountain to climb – but it’s really not that difficult, so here are some tips to get you started and to get the most out of your Facebook page:
Make a page, not a profile
Before you get started, you’re going to need your own personal Facebook profile. Some businesses use the main Facebook sign-up page to create their business page, but this is against Facebook’s ‘Terms of Use’. So make a personal page and then create a business page.
Create your page’s URL/Username
Be sure to update your page’s URL as soon as you create your new business page. Initially when you create your page, your URL will likely be “facebook.com/”, followed by a large jumble of numbers, but you can update this to be your business name by visiting ‘Edit Page’ and selecting ‘Create a username for this page”.
Get the important information down
As shocking as it might seem, many businesses with Facebook pages leave out key information – phone number, address, products/services offered, etc. Make sure you include all of the basics of your business before loading photos, videos, and other information – especially if you don’t have a separate website. Even more important is the need to update this information any time it changes. You don’t want to have an old phone number or address displayed to customers who might try to contact you.
Promote your Facebook page to in-store customers
Starting out, the most inexpensive way to increase the following for your business’s page is through word-of-mouth, so if you have a store, be sure to train your customer-facing employees to mention the new page to all customers. Promoting the new page via in-store signage, a sales promotion, and/or on your company’s business card are also effective ways of gaining a following quickly.
Consider placing a Facebook ad
If you have a budget to do so, Facebook offers advertisements that you can target specifically to the people you want to see it, e.g by location, gender, age, interests, etc. With this service, you set your maximum budget and only pay for the number of clicks your ad receives.
Monitor regularly and respond to all posts
Check your business page daily to keep up-to-date with all customer questions, feedback, or complaints posted on Facebook. By checking regularly and responding to positive comments quickly, you can build a rapport with those interested in your business, which will, in turn, build loyalty and an emotional connection. Also, by responding to negative comments quickly, you will prove to customers that you care about their opinions and are listening to what they’re saying.
Post engaging content regularly
To utilise your Facebook page to its highest potential, it’s important to create and post interesting content that your followers will relate to. Whether it be asking engaging questions and stating fun and interesting facts about your business, or offering discounts and competitions to followers, your posts should be something followers look forward to. Don’t post for the sake of posting. Also, remember that people love photos and videos, so try to include one of these with your regular posts as often as possible.
When it comes to posting on Facebook, there’s a fine line between posting too little and too much. It’s important not to overload followers with content, as they’re likely to start ignoring what you have to say. Ideally, you should post once per day or once every other day. If you’re really struggling to come up with content, you should post at least once per week so that you’re reaching your customers regularly and staying at their top-of-mind.
Don’t just stop with Facebook!
Once you have your Facebook page up-and-running, try giving Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube a go. The more you put yourself out in the world of social media, the higher your return will be – maybe not directly in revenue, but in increased brand loyalty, word-of-mouth, and emotional attachment.
Joe Degand is a communications executive at Lava, an award-winning marketing communications agency in Lincoln. Specialising in copywriting, social media, and event planning, Joe plays an integral role in Lava's public relations team. Originally from the United States, Joe has over 4 years communications experience, working with clients internationally to help them achieve marketing objectives and develop effective communications strategies.
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A Spalding man who admitted perverting the course of justice and stalking his ex-partner was today (Monday) jailed for four months.
Timothy Hart, 46, of Alexandra Road, was also made the subject of a two year restraining order which prevents him from contacting his former girlfriend.
Lincoln Crown Court heard the offences occurred after the couple’s three and half year relationship came to an end.
Following the end of the relationship Hart’s ex-partner returned home on 16 April to find him lying on the floor next to her bed, the court was told.
Hart was asked to leave but took his ex-partner’s car keys and returned on April 30 when he banged on the front door.
On that occasion Hart’s ex-partner did not answer the door and he was later arrested by police.
Following his release Hart made a number of phone calls to his ex-partner.
During one of the calls Hart’s ex-partner answered and asked him: “I’m not going to get my car keys back?”
Hart replied: “No, not until you drop the charges,” the court was told.
Anna Soubry, mitigating, said Hart knew that he faced a jail sentence.
“It is just a question of length,” Miss Soubry acknowledged.
“The most serious matter is the perverting of public justice.
“He admitted that in interview and has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”
Miss Soubry told the court Hart was a hard working mechanic who had the offer of a job once he is released from prison.
She added that Hart also faced the prospect of losing his Spalding home.
Hart admitted an offence of stalking and doing an act intended to pervert the course of public justice between May 5 and May 7 this year.
Passing sentence Judge Simon Hirst told Hart: “Perverting the course of justice is a very serious offence because it strikes at the heart of the justice system.”
Hart was also made the subject of a restraining order for two years.
There is now less than one week to go until the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay visits Lincoln as part of its final journey through England this summer.
Birmingham 2022 is hosting the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the Commonwealth during the build-up to the Games. In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28 July 2022.
After kicking off on Thursday 2 June, the Baton spent four days in London, coinciding with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend.
The Baton then resumed its international journey and returned to England today (Monday 4 July) to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.
On Sunday 10 July, Lincoln will officially welcome the Baton.
A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay’s visit to the city, with key locations being the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), the LNER Stadium, Lincoln Stonebow, Lincoln High Street, Steep Hill and Lincoln Cathedral.
The schedule of activity for the Baton’s time in Lincoln includes:
Approx. 5.13pm*, International Bomber Command Centre – The IBCC is working with Active Lincolnshire to provide a free public event from 3pm – 6pm involving youth groups, encouraging people to sign up, get active, have adventures and make communities.
Approx. 5.34pm*, LNER Stadium – The baton will be taken onto the 3G community pitch at the LNER Stadium where there will be coaching sessions with the local walking football and Down Syndrome Active teams. Spectators can line along the pitch and stadium footprint to view.
Approx. 6.05pm*, Lincoln Stonebow to visit the Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Lincoln, Cllr Rosanne Kirk before relaying up Steep Hill up to Castle Square and then to Lincoln Cathedral, where residents and visitors to the city will gather for an ‘end of day’ celebration.
*Times subject to change.
The ‘end of day’ celebration will take place from 5pm – 6.30pm in Castle Square and will include street theatre performances including stilt walkers waving flags, a punting duo who will serenade crowds and ‘knights on horses’, as well as music from BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
Members of the public are encouraged bring their England flags, get involved with the celebrations and embrace the arrival of the Baton, taking the opportunity to experience the buzz of Birmingham 2022 in their community.
Cllr Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council said: “We look forward to hosting the Baton in Lincoln as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay on 10 July.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for us to showcase the city and what we have to offer and welcome residents and visitors to enjoy the evening’s celebrations.”
Martin Hickerton, Chief Executive of the Lincoln City Foundation, said: “Everyone at Lincoln City is looking forward to the Queen’s baton visiting us at the LNER Stadium. As a home to both a Football Club and a Sports-based charity, we recognise the power of the Commonwealth games and physical activity, in inspiring people to healthier lifestyles.
“We will have coaching sessions going on at the time, as we do most days, and it’ll be a great treat for all the participants in our walking football and DS Active teams to see the baton in person.”
Nicky van der Drift, Chief Executive of the International Bomber Command Centre, added: “The team at the IBCC are honoured and excited to be hosting the Queen’s Baton Relay.
“Bomber Command’s story is one that encompasses the Commonwealth. 59% of Commonwealth countries are represented on the Walls of Names at the IBCC, which record every life lost in the service of Bomber Command.
“This event, we hope, will inspire a new generation in the core ethos of the Command: service, community, collaboration and solidarity.”
To encourage the public to stay and enjoy the city’s evening economy, all City of Lincoln Council pay and display car parks (all car parks except Lincoln Central) will be free from 4pm until midnight on 10 July.
You must park within this period only to qualify (parking outside of these times will be charged as normal. Long term parking that abridges this period (starts before and/or ends after the period) will not be discounted.
Following its visit to Lincoln on 10 July, the Baton will then visit Skegness, Boston and Grantham on Monday 11 July.
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