The Top 5 Businesses that Should Be All Over Facebook..and Why

As businesses in every sector rush to keep up with the addition of social media as a part of their overall marketing strategy, many are struggling to see the value. The truth is, not every business will see a huge return from investing heavily in social media marketing. There are compelling reasons for every business to be there – it’s free, you can reach a wide audience with very little time and effort, and your message has the potential to get passed around – but there are a few businesses that I would say HAVE TO be there. And not just be there, but be aaaaaaallll over it. Here’s a look at the Top 5 Businesses that Should Be All Over Facebook…and Why.

Sellers & Retailers

Yes, this is a broad stroke, but it’s true. If you sell stuff – whether you’re online seller or brick-and-mortar store – you should have a Facebook fan site. People buy stuff. People like to buy stuff. And people talk about the stuff they buy with other people. Social networks have become one of the top places that people share information about what they buy. They seek out and ‘Like’ their favorite brands. They look for coupons, special offers and new products. And if they find something they like, they share it. So, no matter what you happen to sell, it makes perfect sense for you to promote it on Facebook.

Salons & Spas

We love life’s luxuries, don’t we, ladies? And spending time being pampered at a salon or spa is right up there at the top. Facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, haircuts & highlights – we love the stuff that makes us feel fabulous! Not only do we like this pampering, we like to talk about it. Often, we like to partake in these luxuries with our friends, too. And more than anything at all, we like being able to partake in these luxuries at a discount. Salons, day spas, and medspas are using Facebook to maximize their best form of new business – referrals. They’re posting special offers, promoting events, and talking about the latest and greatest products. And if I’m a fan, at some point I will see something I like and share it. Your salon Facebook site can not only serve as a regular reminder to your existing clientele that you're there to pamper them, it can be an excellent referral tool as well.

Travel & Hospitality

I would dare to say that not a day goes by that when, as I sit behind my computer screen bleary-eyed from words and code, I don’t take a moment to dream of a place far, far away. In that moment, as I glance at my Facebook page, I’m lured in by a picture of an umbrella drink sitting alongside a crystal blue pool. Click! I’m checking out the airfare to Bermuda. The travel and hospitality industry – from travel companies and agents to resort destinations, family destinations, parks, and departments of tourism – is a perfect fit for Facebook. What we did and where we went last weekend, or where we’re headed – from family trips to romantic getaways – is one of the most widely talked about subjects on Facebook. Destination locations of all types – from petting zoos to 5-star resorts – are a natural for Facebook. Staying in front of your fans and their friends with special offersor simply new and interesting information will no doubt drive keep your existing fans coming back, but help you reach new ones as well.

Events & Entertainment

Akin to travel and hospitality, promoting events and entertainment on Facebook is a must. Check the stats and you will see that the pages with the most fans are dominated by entertainment. From Eminem to The Simpsons, millions of people opt-in to keep up with their favorite ways to stay amused. With a single wall post, Eminem, for example, can reach nearly 30 million fans…every day…for free. You’re not Eminem? No worries. Even local bands, entertainers, and events see huge benefits from spending a little time setting up and maintaining a Facebook site. I’m a fan of a local band who I know not many people have heard of, and even they have over 1,300 Facebook fans. That means that every time they have a gig, it takes 2 minutes (and no money) to promote it to more than 1,300 people. It’s really a no–brainer. Events and entertainment need not be limited to concerts and celebrities. Local theater, festivals, museums, art galleries – any form of recreation is perfect to promote on Facebook.

Food & Drink

There’s little else in this world that pleases us more than good food and drink. Much like we enjoy sharing details about our trips and outings with our friends, we share information about food. From restaurants and bars to recipes and grocery coupons, we readily share information about what we like to eat and drink and we look for and 'Like' the ones we like the most. Starbucks has more than 7 million Facebook fans. With an investment of 30 seconds of their time, they have the ability to announce a new product, distribute a coupon or promote a cause to more than 7 million people - incredible! And while you probably shouldn't get your hopes up for a fan base 7 million strong, it does go to show you that Facebookers are bigtime fans of food and drink. I often see posts from my friends discussing recipes, others about evenings out at a restaurant, and I get coupons passed along to me. So it makes sense that food and drink providers of all types be on Facebook.

So that’s the 'who' and the 'why'. What about the 'how'? Getting on Facebook is easy. But taking full advantage of what Facebook has to offer is a little more complex. Facebook allows you to create your own website within Facebook, complete with animations, navigation, video and more. New features just introduced this month (March, 2011) allow for incredibly robust applications. If your business falls into one of these categories, a small investment up front in getting your Facebook site set up and working for you will certainly pay off. If you need help getting set up, give us a shout.

While this Top 5 list is not the be-all, end-all list of who should be on Facebook, it gives you an idea of who is seeing the most benefit. Is your business thriving on Facebook? Tell us about it. We’d love to write a case study!

E-mail us at marketing@digidaze.com or hit us up on Facebook at www.facebook.com/digidaze