Promoting Your Market

Do you Facebook? Over 400 million people worldwide are registered users of Facebook and millions frequent their facebook page several times every day. They are using it to communicate with one another, keeping in touch with long ago acquaintances, family and friends.

One of the fastest growing segments of Facebook is business users. Because Facebook is engaging people in conversation, businesses are finding that Facebook can help build a strong, loyal customer base by offering news and information about their business or products and engaging them in conversation. Consumers who become involved in the conversation develop strong loyalties to the business/product.

Facebook also includes an Newsfeed that means what is posted on the Business page shows up on all its “fans” pages, allowing their friends to see the post as well. The more often friends of business fans see your posts, the more likely they are to become a fan of the business, as well. This viral effect creates new converts to the business and begins to draw them into the conversation as well.

Think how this can work for your farmers market. You have a product and an environment that is appealing to begin with. Attracting fans to your market would be simple, by starting with the loyal customers you already have and inviting them to become a fan of your Facebook page.

Starting a Facebook account is simple and free, requiring only a small time commitment. This is a cost most markets can bear.

Once one Facebook, there are some easy steps to follow to help you be successful in marketing your market with Facebook:
• Frequent updates – the more frequently to post, the more attention you will get and the more interesting your page will be.
• Encourage conversation by posting questions. This will engage your fans and get more of your posts included on Newsfeed pages of your fans and their friends
• Include photos and add throughout the season to add interest to your page
• Post your events, inviting Facebook fans to participate. If they are interested, they may help promote your event on their own page.
• Feature your farmers. It helps to create interest and a sense of ownership in your market
• Conversation not promotion. Facebook is conversational. It engages people without the strong come-ons that advertisements have. This kind of promotion would alienate your fans.
• Build awareness of your Facebook page by:
o Invite your personal Facebook friends to become fans or your market
o Link to your website and/or blog with your Facebook page with a Facebook “Like” button
o Include your Facebook page in your email signature and on your business cards
o Include signage at the market inviting market shoppers and farmers to become a fan of the market’s Facebook page

Joining the millions of users on Facebook as a way to build awareness for and grow the customer base for your market is both easy and fun. Many markets across the country have joined the world of social media marketing through Facebook.

Have joined? If you have, share your experiences.

Tags: facebook, farmers market, social marketing, social media