This is a question that more and more people are beginning to ask with every new change Facebook seems to implement. Fan pages are a great way to get the message out about important webinars, offers, and product releases, but it only matters if this information is being seen.
But with Facebook timelines being what they are, few fans actually see the messages unless they visit your fan page. The solution that Facebook has created is to offer fan page owners the opportunity to sponsor, or promote, status updates of their choosing. (Facebook has even created this for non-business users, too, who want to get a wide audience for their messages)
What does it Mean to Promote Your Status Update?
When you post status updates on your fan page there is an option below the message to promote that particular update. When you click on the button you’ll see a range of price options appear. Each price point guarantees that a certain number (number, not percentage) of your fans will see this particular status update.
To the fans it should appear at the top of their newsfeeds with a note that it’s a sponsored post. This is not an opportunity to SPAM or attempt to directly recruit new fans. It’s not something you should use for every status update you create—unless you’re rolling in the money and simply want to share some of it with Facebook. These status updates will be viewed by people who are already your fans, but it could also get seen by their friends, too. Since so few people are able to see all the status updates they’re interested in, this is a great way to ensure that yours are being seen.
When is the Best Time to Use Facebook Promotions?
The bottom line is that if you have a fairly large fan base on Facebook, this is a good way to engage them a little bit more. But, in the interest of ROI (return on investment), it’s best to limit the use of status promotions for status updates that have a potential for larger payoffs. Webinars are a prime example, new product releases, and special offers are also ideal for this situation.
If you’re going to promote a blog update make sure there’s a very strong “pitch” for either newsletter signups or a product page on the other side. You don’t want to spend a lot of money just to bump your traffic stats a little bit.
There is an interesting side benefit to promoting your Facebook status that shouldn’t be overlooked either. You know by now, that your status updates have the potential to go viral and be seen through the timelines of others. However, when you sponsor an update it’s seen by more people who are your fans, but also, by more who are simply friends of your fans through comments, likes, and shares. It’s a double reward, if you will, for your efforts to promote your status. Should you do it? Absolutely! Just choose when you do it wisely. Need help with social marketing or SEO? Adelaide SEO company Market Ease Digital would be happy to help you!