Facebook Is 4th Largest Coutnry In The World + Why It Matters To You

dawsonrb — September 2, 2009 - 3:38pm

Facebook would now be considered the 4th largest country in the world (by population, not land mass...yes that was a lame attempt at a joke). At 300 million users and five years old the website has begun to make money which means they should be around for a while yet. There is an interesting article from Tech Crunch entitled A Look At Facebook’s Reach Worldwide. It really cements just how popular Facebook has become worldwide.

Take a look at these screen shots demonstrating the geographic breakdown of users: Note: These stats are from July 15, 2009. - Also see farther below for Facebook marketing tips.

Facebook Stats Breakdown

There is a substantial source of Facebook marketing stats available for those interested.

Facebook Opportunities

Consequently businesses are looking for the best way to implement Facebook marketing in order to access this large consumer base. Social network marketing is still in it's infancy but offers great upside potential for those who know what they're doing. It can also have opposite and harmful consequences for those who do not know what they're doing, potentially causing brand damage.

We'll quickly discuss three possible opportunities to use Facebook in order to reach these millions of users.

1. Personal Brands On Facebook

Individuals will find that Facebook is like having a vast rolodex. People tend to do business with people they know, it's a basic business practice. Having a Facebook profile is your way of participating in this rolodex. Don't be left out.

Tips:

Use status updates occasionally to tell everyone what you're working on
Add people you'd normally would say "hi" to if you recognized them walking down the street. Think school, work etc
Fill in your "Education and Work" section properly on your profile
Post links relevant to your business. Videos, articles etc.

Example:

You may notice that someone has posted on their Facebook status that they just finished work on a house...and coincidentally you're looking for a carpenter. You send the person a message and a possible business opportunity just arose...all from the carpenter being themselves. Just be careful, people will won't mind hearing about your work once in a while but it tends to not only get boring but also annoying extremely fast. Be yourself. Your work is part of your life, but it's not your whole life.

2. Business Brands On Facebook

Facebook offers businesses the opportunity to have conversations with their customers and promote products for "free". For instance, Top Search Result has a Facebook fan page that has about 50 fans at this point. Not a huge number but it's a start. The Facebook fan page updates followers on things they would find interesting, so obviously search engine and technology news...in this case. I'm enjoying the links that I post, so hopefully the fans of Top Search Result will too.

Remember: Posting too much will annoy people while posting to infrequently means you're not engaged.

Tips:

Start a Fan page and invite people you think will want to become a fan
Add a Facebook badge to your website (see the right of this website)
Post links relevant to your business. Videos, articles etc.
Try and engage conversation not dictate

Example:

I love certain TV shows and movies so I join their Facebook page because I'm genuinely interested in what they have to offer. Therefore I don't mind getting updates from these sources, even if it's straight up promotions.

On the other side, it would make no sense for me to be a fan of a real estate company located in another country, it has no real bearing to me. Update on local market conditions in another county or worse new listings (I hate this on Facebook) would cause a block on my part.

3. Facebook Advertising

Facebook ads are improving all the time and offer some great experimentation opportunities for a low price. Top Search Result is running ad campaigns for businesses that are targeting local businesses. They are not necessarily getting a high click through but they are getting brand exposure that they would be paying substantially more in another medium.

Tips:

Start a test Facebook marketing campaign with $100 free credit see video below
Be as targeted as possible
Chose a good ad picture

Example:

I have a real estate client who for $50 in advertising got over 500,000 impressions to local Facebook users. Even with no clicks, that's impressive brand exposure. That kills print advertising doesn't it? Pretty much kills any type of advertising platform for brand exposure and ROI.

For other potential ad campaigns, imagine being a local restaurant and targeting people on their Birthday's to come to your restaurant to eat. Enticing them with a free meal or a coupon/discount which you can do through Facebook. Now that's direct advertising.

Facebook Video - Free Money

Now here's a video put together a while ago get $100 free Facebook advertising. Follow these easy steps to get a credit on your account. Try out some ideas. See if Facebook advertising is something your business can leverage.