When Facebook first began it was an easy way for college students to find their friends.  Now if Facebook is used correctly it can be an excellent way for businesses to find consumers.  Social networking is now one of the most cost effective ways to improve customer relations without spending an inordinate amount of money, and Facebook is at the forefront of the pack.

For a small business starting out, joining Facebook is a great way to encourage people to visit your store through the sixth degree.  Step one is to start a friend profile for your business store.  Likely you know people who visit your store as well as family and friends in the community who are already on Facebook, so these will be your first friends.

After they join your list their friendship with your business will be announced on their feeds for all 100+ of their friends to see.  Chances are that at least one or two of their friends will recognize your business and friend you as well.  Now you have a base that can keep spreading throughout the Facebook community and you gain widespread recognition without spending a cent.

Use your status message to display specials or current deals and every one of your new ‘friends’ will see that you have something great to offer this week.  There is a good chance that out of your new group of friends at least a few will stop in.  Continue this process and you will end up with a regular mailer that is delivered via status feeds in the community’s most checked mailbox daily.

Tags: FaceBook, small business, social networking