The Mashable article, “13 Best Practices for Restaurants on Facebook” was a very interesting read. Since I have a Facebook account for my jewelry business, Tutterfly Designs, I found the article very applicable. Though it is about restaurant pages on Facebook, the concepts addressed are concerns with any business Facebook page.
One of the Facebook pages that I frequent most often and model my business’s page after is Fire Mountain Gems & Beads. They are an online jewelry supply wholesaler. One of my favorite things about Fire Mountain Gems & Beads is their commitment to customer service. Before they had a Facebook page, they were known in the jewelry community for their excellent telephone customer service. Now that they have moved into the social networking era, I am impressed at their ability to be just as personal online as they are by phone.
For my own business Facebook page, I already employ several of the practices listed in the article. I think the second practice listed, “you must respond,” is the most important. Every time someone “likes” the Tutterfly Designs page, I write a personal message on his or her Wall, thanking them for their interest. This kind of personal attention has helped Tutterfly Designs gain a reputation as a customer-oriented enterprise. Also, adding a link to the Tutterfly Designs page in every thank-you post exposes the link to an ever-broadening audience. This method is the online equivalent word-of-mouth advertising.
I also employ practices three, “educate your fans,” and five, “don’t just sell — be interesting,” occasionally. However, the article’s arguments for these two inter-related practices are so strong that I have decided to implement them on my page. Posting informational items that are not directly self-serving is a great way to share what I love with my fans, and to earn the trust of my customers. It also reinforces my credibility as a knowledgeable member of the jewelry community. Not to mention, it’s a fun way to start conversation among fans, which makes the page feel personal and interactive. And interactivity is valued highly by a modern audience.
The article provided helpful suggestions, presented in an engaging format. The inclusion of photos in the text was a stylistic choice that added to the overall effectiveness of the article, rather than distracting from the main point. If I was grading this Mashable article as a teacher, it would definitely get an A!
Renee Boettner
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