The interest in using Facebook as a marketing tool has exploded in recent years. If this interests you, there are a few things you should know before getting started. The following tips can help set you up to do this properly.

Consider holding online contests as a means of your Facebook marketing plan. Free samples and discounts are another way to attract followers and get them to try your products. Make sure you really do award the prize so you will be viewed as an honest businessperson.

Always keep in mind that the Facebook page for your business is a direct reflection of the professional image you want to convey. Social media has to be taken in a serious manner to make profits. If you keep it professional, you will gain the respect and trust of your clientele.

Reply to everything written about your company, be it on your page’s wall or elsewhere on Facebook. That means monitoring your wall and also any @ messages about your company (for example, @Nestle). Reply back, particularly if it is a complaint or someone who needs service immediately.

Generate some attention for your Facebook campaign by organizing a giveaway. Encourage new subscribers by offering free products. Make your winners viewable to maintain the legitimacy of your contest.

Facebook Offers allows you to easily and rapidly promote contests or giveaways that are offered on the website. All you have to do is set up the offer, then switch it to a Promoted Post through your wall. If it’s a good offer, it can be promoted to non-fans.

When you publish something on your website or other social media accounts, link to it from your Facebook page. For example, link a summary of your blog onto Facebook if you have one. Your Twitter account can be linked to Facebook, as well, so your tweets go to your Facebook too.

Another option, besides a Facebook page, is to create a Facebook group. Facebook groups are a great way to get people to interact more. Never hesitate to utilize both pages and groups in order to get broad exposure for your offers and updates, and to give users a place to disseminate content of their own.

Answer any questions and respond to comments on Facebook. Be sure and thank each person for contacting you, and make an effort to provide them with the information they require. Always be willing to provide a link to a relevant section of your website if there is information there that will answer the question.

Most people market on Facebook because they want to improve their sales. Set monthly sales goals for yourself. Getting people to visit and like your Facebook page is great, however it is more important that your efforts translates to more sales. You should think about changing your strategy if you do not see an increase in your business.

Provide value in every post you make on your Facebook page. Your Facebook followers should find useful information in all your posts, whether they relate to a great deal, receive information about the latest product, or obtain some tidbit of helpful information relevant to your brand. However, avoid “selling” too much to prevent your followers from getting tired of having your name popping up on the news feed.

Improve the efficiency of your Facebook marketing interface through the use of custom tabs. This organizes your information and keeps your site professional. For example, a contest can have its own tab so that it stands out.

Clearly, it does not have to be hard to use Facebook for marketing your business. Just don’t expect to achieve a miracle response rate overnight. Be patient and put the advice you learned here into practice.