By now you’re probably aware of the important role that social media plays in today’s business climate – particularly Facebook. But simply setting up a page isn’t enough to actually get you the results you want, which is more brand exposure, increased reach and (hopefully) more paying customers. To really be effective, you’ve got to make your page dynamic and interactive. Here are 5 tips on how you can get more people to click that “like” button on your Facebook fan page.

Pay Attention – How can you possibly give your audience what they want if you’re not tuned in to them? Facebook provides an excellent vehicle through which you can reach out and learn from your existing customers and your prospects. Pay attention and listen to what they’re saying they want and need, and then do what it takes to give that to them. And don’t forget to also keep an eye on your competitors’ Facebook pages to see what’s working for them.

Be Real – The most powerful thing about social media is the way it connects people to the real personalities behind the brands and corporations they do business with. The best way to endear people to you and gain more fans and followers is to show them who you really are.

“Wow” Your Fans – Businesses with the most fan engagement on Facebook find ways to continuously delight and surprise their followers. Try interactive things like contests, quizzes, giveaways – these are excellent ways to get people to share your content, and a quick way to boost your number of likes. And if you continue to delight, you’ll entice those who like your page to stick around.

Actively Engage – The best way to get noticed on Facebook is to get more comments, likes and shares, and the best way to do that is by actively engaging with your fans. Encourage people to interact with you by posting thought provoking questions, doing polls or fun quizzes. These are all things that get people to join in the conversation, and when they do, make sure that you are right in there with them participating.

Give Facebook Ads a Shot – If you participate in pay-per-click advertising, why not including Facebook in the mix? These ads are highly targeted and relatively inexpensive, but they can get you tremendous exposure and help boost your page. It’s not for everyone, but it may be worth a shot for your business.

When used correctly, Facebook can be an extremely powerful marketing tool for your business. The first step is getting people to like your page, and these tips will help you maximize your page for real results.

Speaking of Facebook – have you connected with us yet? We’d love to be your Facebook friend! Please head over and “like” our page. Many thanks!