Having a basic social media presence is essential in the modern world, as it will allow you to bring in new prospects while nurturing relationships with existing 
clients. Yet taking the first step into social media can be a daunting task for small businesses, especially those who have never used social media before. Fortunately, Facebook has made it easy to get your profile up and running, and these tips will ensure you optimize your presence from the start. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started.
- Create a Business Page
To get started on your company page, go to https://www.facebook.com/business and click on the blue arrow button in the top right corner. This will drop down to give you the option “Create a Page.” Click there and you will be directed to a new page that gives you two different options. Select “Business or Brand” by hitting the “get started” button in the left-hand box. Enter your business name in the Page Name, select a category, then add your address and phone number when prompted so future prospects can find you.
- Add A Profile Picture and Cover Photo
A picture is worth a thousand words, and this is twice as true when working with social media. The visual display of your profile is essential to success, and you should ensure you’re making the best first impression.
For your profile picture, it’s usually best to upload a copy of your logo. Navigate to your new business page and click the blank white circle to upload a new profile photo. Keep in mind that this photo will display as a circular image, so you may need to add white space behind your photo in order to get it to fit without cutting off.
You should also upload a cover photo that showcases your services, your team, or your location. If you’re unsure of what to add here, look at the pages of similar businesses to get inspiration. Above all, pick an image that is welcoming and engaging.
- Explore Your Options
Once you have your basic page built, Facebook will prompt you to do a walkthrough of their features. Use this tutorial to learn how to create posts, add details, and keep in touch with your followers.
- Expand Your About Section
Click on your page’s “About” section and add in all of the relevant details. At minimum, add the link to your website, a brief description of your business and who you serve, and your contact info. This will help new users reach out to you if they’re interested in using your services.
- Find Fans!
This is the long-term goal of your social media setup, and it requires patience and a few minutes of work every week. To start, use your personal Facebook Profile to share your new page so your friends and family can like your business. Encourage them to like and comment on your posts to boost your popularity at the start. You may also want to send an announcement to your clients or add a postscript to your emails asking them to like your business page. As your followers grow, your page will appear more popular and make it clear that you are a central part of your community. You should also add a link to your Facebook on your website and any other social media, and you may consider adding your Facebook URL to any business cards or promotional material in the future. This will continue to bring in new fans for your page!
Social media is an essential part of modern marketing and having a basic page in place allows prospects to get to know your business before they even reach out to you. As you continue to post and share stories on this page, you’ll create a new avenue to attract prospects and nurture relationships with your existing clients.
