Build Facebook Fanpage Love | Thank Friends for Becoming Your Fan
Most Facebook users are familiar with the fact that when people choose to become a fan of a Facebook business fanpage, that activity will show up on the wall of their personal profile and is viewable by their friends. That activity also appears in the live news feed of Facebook users who are connected to that friend.
Metrowest, Massachusetts based Realtor Bill Gassett has done something great with the “Comment” and “Like” links associated with the status update that appears when people fan a page. When a Facebook friend of his fan’s his business fanpage, he goes to the status update that appears on his friends wall and “Like’s” the activity, then leaves a thank you comment underneath it. Talk about a personal touch. So simple, and so smart.
And, as Facebook continues to evolve the rules defining how often fan page update appears in fans news feeds (indicating that appearance on news feeds will be an earned privilege based on engagement vs. a right), this is a very clever way to set the stage for engagement with his fans. It is not surprising that Bill has a high level of engagement on his Facebook business fanpage. His exposure on wall items should be stronger as a result.
One thing to note (and you can consider yourself a very savvy Facbook user if you follow this next part), this “Like” and “Comment” strategy is only possible if the Facebook fanpage administrator is actually a Facebook friend of the fan. However, even if you aren’t Facebook friends with your page fan, it is possible (unless the Facebook user has turned this off in their permissions) to “Send a Message” to a Facebook user you are not connected to (see this feature under Sharon’s image to the right). Why not send them a quick thank you note via Facebook for becoming a fan of their page?
Seems good etiquette, and good marketing, to applaud.
Love the “like” and “comment” idea of responding to people who become fans. That is going on my to-do list for some of my recent new fans.
I may be missing something in the settings somewhere, but I haven't figured out how to get a notification when I get a new fan. Any ideas?
Thanks for your comment Sam. Unfortunately, to our knowlege, you aren't missing anything. Knowing that you have new fans (or any type of fanpage activity like a new wall post from a fan) is a manual effort. Would love to see Facebook improve this.
I have to say, that simple 'Thank You' from Bill was immediately impressive to me. It's amazing how often we forget that it's those simple gestures that really go a long way and pave the way for more personal and 'connected' relationships. It was a simple, yet very memorable, gesture. Great of you to bring more attention to it Stacey – and Congrats Bill! Nice job!
Great reminder for anyone building a fan page, not just Real Estate Agents which is exactly why I'm a fan!
Stacy thanks for the link love it is much appreciated. I do try to take the time when I can to thank those that become a fan. As you said it is a personal touch and hopefully it may trigger than person to remember me when they are thinking about a Realtor in my area. I know those pages are really in their infancy but who knows at some point this could become another mode for how Realtors refer business to other Realtors.
I love what Dale did! I have seen a couple of other agents doing very similar projects in their own market, I don't know what kind of success are having. Think about the true 'social' benefits of creating a place where people can return to for valuable, usable information! A local destination for a real estate expert- GREAT idea.
I love what Dale did! I have seen a couple of other agents doing very similar projects in their own market, I don't know what kind of success are having. Think about the true 'social' benefits of creating a place where people can return to for valuable, usable information! A local destination for a real estate expert- GREAT idea.