These days, many customers connect with their favorite businesses with social media, but just because you have a Facebook page, it doesn’t mean customers know about it or are engaged with it. Here are eight things you can do to promote your Facebook page, increase likes, and get more traffic in your store.

Post engaging, useful content

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is thinking anything goes when it comes to Facebook posts. Customers want useful, relevant information, not reminders of how awesome your clothing boutique is (even if it really is awesome). Instead of posting about how great your store is, post information about how to wear the trendiest styles, tips for caring for high-end clothing so it lasts longer, or instructions for finding clothing that fits properly. Your customers will appreciate the information and they’ll be keener to like your page.

Post images and videos

As the saying goes, a picture is worth 1,000 words, and on Facebook it might be worth a few hundred likes too. Pages that are text-heavy are boring; customers want visuals—share photos and videos of your store, your products, your customers, and anything else relevant to your business. Do you have a wood furniture store? Get your customers to post photos of your furniture in their homes. Facebook fans will see these photos of your products and evidence of happy customers while also imagining your furniture in their own homes.

Test different times to find the best times to post

This one will take a bit of trial and error, but the best way to get your page noticed is to post when your customers are online. Some posts will get a thousand “likes” on a Monday morning, but the same post on a Saturday evening will go entirely unnoticed. Use Facebook Insights to keep track of when you post and the types of responses you get, to determine the best times to post to your page.

Ask questions to encourage responses

One of the best ways to engage people is to ask a question. You can ask for feedback on your store, ask for their preferences or how they use your products. When your customers comment on your posts, their friends see they’ve commented and may become aware of your business as a result. So not only are you engaging your customers, you’re spreading the word to their friends. Next time you post a photo of flowers from your store, ask your customers where they prefer to place their bouquets in their homes.

Give a Facebook offer

People love special offers, so give your Facebook fans something special to show your appreciation for them. Some restaurants offer coupons only on their Facebook page, so fans have access to 10% off the price of a dinner or a free drink with the purchase of a donut. Facebook coupons not only show your Facebook fans that you care, they encourage potential new customers to visit your page and come into your store. Check out Facebook Offers to learn more.

Use your existing network

If you already have a mailing list or send out a weekly newsletter, you already have a potential Facebook audience. Make sure to let them know either in your newsletter or by email about your Facebook page. Just because they’re on Facebook doesn’t mean they know you are. Encourage them to share your page with their friends. If you have a website, add a Facebook badge to it, linking directly to your Facebook page. That way, your website’s visitors will know about your Facebook page as well.

Use Facebook promotions

If you have some extra money and want to expand your reach, use Facebook’s paid promotions. Click “Promote Page” from your business’ Facebook page, choose the audience you want, and set your daily budget. Then monitor the promotion to see if it’s having the intended effect. It costs money, but your audience is more targeted and you’re not relying on your customers to spread the word about your garden store.

Top photo credit: baranq/Shutterstock

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Carly Webber is a contributor to the Connectivity blog. She also serves at the Senior Social Media Specialist at Volume Nine