Even the smallest of businesses can discover creative ways to profit from Facebook's global exposure and online tools. According to Gartner Research, 86 percent of small businesses have used Facebook as valuable marketing resource. Gartner Research has also found that 20 percent of shoppers prefer purchasing directly from Facebook rather than a company's website. Creating and using a Facebook group correctly can increase business sales and improve efficiency.
Direct Sales
Facebook's new market tool allows businesses to sell items directly through Facebook. Facebook Marketplace allows users the convenience of browsing deals from multiple businesses on Facebook without ever leaving the social networking site. Companies can offer special deals and free gifts to customers using Facebook Marketplace to encourage future sales. Facebook also has an eBay application where you can sell your eBay items on Facebook. Sale offerings on both applications can be linked onto your Facebook group wall or private message. You can post links to your items and services on your external web page or online shopping cart and can conduct sales through a private message or chat whenever a potential customer asks in a comment for more information or demonstrates interest in a product on your wall, gallery, or document.
Marketing
Facebook groups allow customers to make informed purchasing decisions. Your companies' wall, private messages and group chat can easily be utilized for advertising and promotional deals. You can post photos, info-graphics, or documents with statistics and information about consumer goods and deals. The wall allows companies to receive feedback from customers through comments, likes, and shares. Posts and private messages can provide insight to consumers about product development and services that are provided. Sending mass invitations to customers can help you form your group, while promotional incentives can help obtain referrals and new members. Once a customer base is developed, you can invite up to 5,000 members to private messages to discuss their favorite products and services.
Community Building
Facebook groups allow members to take part in an active, tight-knit community around your products and services. The atmosphere in Facebook discussions can lead to more insight into your customer base and which products and services are receiving the most attention. Customer service and purchases can be discussed in a private chat box or message. If your business is local, you can discuss prices online and deliver in person for a more exclusive touch. Groups can hold conversations about your items, plan online events, or discuss related topics in private messages and live chats. You can use chat sessions or poll questions to encourage participation and gather data, as well. Events can be centered around a question and answer chat or a "meet the owner" chat. Holding discussions and engaging your members can help develop brand loyalty and maintain customer interest.
Improving Efficiency
Facebook groups can also be used to profit from saving time and money. Your Facebook group can become a free and valuable internal communication tool by adding company employees or corporate partners. Owners can post company-wide announcements, while private messages and group chats can be used to discuss projects. The wall can be used for updates toward a project or goal and to ask questions. You can hold business events and collaborate ideas for free. Facebook groups also allow for the sharing of documents, videos, and photos to the entire company, partners, or investors. Instead of using valuable time in meetings, the whole company can be updated in seconds and can ask questions at any time, allowing more flexibility and internal communication.
