Like it or not, business on Facebook use what’s called a fan page. 
If you’re a performer you’re probably used to having fans but many service providers and shops don’t usually refer to their customers and prospects as fans.
None-the-less, if you haven’t claimed your business name as a Facebook fan page; STOP reading this right now, go to Facebook (you do have a personal profile, right?), and create a fan page with your business name.
Fan pages have a lot in common with profiles but they offer several advantages for doing business online. A#1 is the ability to send a message to all your fans. It’s the corollary to email marketing and if Facebook continues to rule the Web2.0 scene, you’ll be left in the dust by competitors if you don’t jump on board.
Once you have a fan page though, how to do get more fans and make the time and effort payoff?
For those that have a blog or website, including the Facebook fan box is the next step.
Here’s how you create one and add it to your page:
- Log in to your Facebook fan page.
- Use this link to open a FAN BOX WIDGET
- You’re taken to the page for creating a Fan Box:
- Your fan page should already be selected, unless you have more than one (pick the one you want to create a box for) There are three include options that you can choose for your fan box:
- If you select the STREAM option, the box will include the stream of comments on your wall. (This will make the box bigger.)
- If you choose the FANS option, your fans will be included in the box. (This option will also make the box bigger.)
- The third option will include the FACEBOOK LOGO (required IMO)
- The second option is Choose where to add the widget.
- To add the widget to your website, select OTHER. The code that you need will appear in the field below and a preview of your fan box appears on the right.
- To change any of your choices, select or deselect them and re-click the OTHER button and your code and preview will refresh.
- Your fan page should already be selected, unless you have more than one (pick the one you want to create a box for) There are three include options that you can choose for your fan box:
- Select the code and copy it (hit Ctrl+A then Ctrl+C or use the menu functions).
- Send the HTML to your website maintenance person via email or insert it yourself into your site or blog.
Now you’ve got to promote it. Make an offer to new fans, call attention to it with your design, write about your Facebook experiences, send your email list a notice, maybe even run a PPC campaign.
It’s not a substitute for an email list but another way to keep in touch with your clients and prospects, now called fans!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Lee,
I’ve heard about fan pages on Facebook and how valuable they can be but this is the first post that actually talks about how to set them up.
I’m now almost convinced that I should set up my own fan page.
At least I have an idea as to how to do it thanks to you.
Vance
I want my blog to be just like yours when it grows up. I am a new student of Alex Jeffreys . I’m excited to be part of his program-its unique.
I’ve subscribed to your reports and am looking forward to future posts!
101 Headlines is really helpful.
Thanks. This is a very basic Thesis theme.
Good Luck with your new venture.