How To Utilize Facebook As An Advertising Tool....
Lounge By masturbaker Updated 16 Jan 2010 , 12:53am by nj4tj
SO far I've stayed away from the myspace and facebook cults! But after reading so much about it on here I went and opened up a page on facebook. I am completely new to the facebook scene and was wondering if any of you could tell me how you use it as a means to get your name out there... I'm not necessarily looking to "advertise" on facebook, but I just want people to know I do cakes and to see my work and to know how to contact me.....
Do you just add random people? And what do you write about yourself? Do you put your price points and all that or do you just put pictures of your cakes?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Most places I've seen do not put pricing info on their Facebook page, or go much further than simply talking about their work. Some of my friends have a page, try looking at Cotillion Events (Ohio/Kentucky area)-- or even Ron Ben-Israel ....both have Facebook pages.
Mainly it is to showcase pictures, provide updates about events and let people talk about your work. If you have a webpage, you can advertise it there and then that is how they can get any pricing info on your product. Facebook is more for networking socially about your business, but not really for giving out all the info for the business. That's what your personal website would be for.
Of course people can always contact you on Facebook and ask about pricing, and you can start a conversation privately or direct them to your website.
HTH!
I don't know if you do weddings or anything, but when I was a wedding/event planner, I made a myspace for my business. I didn't get any business from brides or clients, but it was a great tool for networking with other people in the biz.
I just added other vendors like florists, DJs, caterers, photographers, etc. that were in my area. The myspace was almost like my blog area. I had pictures up, talked about the business, told anyone who wanted to know stuff that was comin up, of course, direct them to my site for more info, stuff like that. But the big thing is networking. If prospective clients DID look at myspaces for pics and such, they would have a wealth of info on other vendors just by looking in the friends list.
I just gave in 2 and started a FB page, mine just has pics and a link to my website.
What's your url I'll become a fan of your page?
I only have about 30 fans so far, I know sad but I don't know how to get more people to add me either.
Ive got a facebook group started under the home business category. It was initially a closed group where the access if limited but now its an open group. I havent put any price indicators. I just post pictures and enjoy all the lovely comments i get 
. It has definately got me alot more business.
Mainly it is to showcase pictures, provide updates about events and let people talk about your work. If you have a webpage, you can advertise it there and then that is how they can get any pricing info on your product. Facebook is more for networking socially about your business, but not really for giving out all the info for the business. That's what your personal website would be for.
That's exactly the way we use it as well! It's a great place to add pics that you wouldn't put on your website.
masturbaker-
I started our page in late October so it's still pretty new to me, but I can make a couple of suggestions: Go with a FAN page instead of a group or a personal page. It's much more powerful for someone to see that their friend become a FAN of Piece of Cake than it is to see their friend join a group named Piece of Cake.
Also...Don't post too much. What you write on your fan page wall will appear on the news feeds of all of your fans. Posting 3-4 times a day makes you like an email spammer and you will start to annoy people very quickly.
As far as advertising, we just do it on our web page and our blog and once you get a few fans it starts to advertise itself (everyone sees if their friends become fans and some are compelled to see what their friends are fans of). I am amazed that former brides have been popping up and posting pics of their wedding cakes on our fb page. If used correctly Facebook can be a nice addition to the rest of your marketing and allow you to have a little fun with your customers
Our page isn't necessarily a model but if you want to take a look, here it is: http://www.facebook.com/PieceOfCakeAZ
Best of luck!!
Hello!!
I have a myspace page and a facebook page , originally to connect with friends and family but as I started doing more cakes that became what my pages were about. Sometimes people contact me for price quotes and on occasion it can go further. I like to also use them to network with other cake decoraters and ask them questions and admire their work just like here on CC.
Thanks "PieceofCake"... great stuff.. but how do i make a fan page as opposed to just a regular page... that sounds like a good idea.. then I can have my own personal page AND a fan page for my cakes....
At the bottom of your facebook home page there's a little task bar with icons...Hover over them and see if one of them says "Ads and pages." I don't know if that only shows up after you have a page or not, but it's probably how to get started. If it's not there, just type in "How to start a page for my business" in the facebook help box.
It's good to keep your personal and business separate, because if people are your friends they can see your personal wall where your other friends post. I have friends who post some "interesting" things sometimes, and I don't necessarily want other people seeing that.
I found it...Go to the bottom of the facebook page, click on "help" and the page help center is in the second group of links under applications and features.
You do NOT need to pay for advertising on your page, they will keep popping boxes up to get you to sign up to do that, but you don't have to.
masturbaker
No problem! Here is the link with everything you need to know about facebook fan pages!
http://www.facebook.com/help.php?page=904
wow!! You guys are great... thanks for the info everyone.. and the link "pieceofcake"...
You guys are the reason I love this site!
Also...just wanted to add - Think of facebook as a shift in cultural communication, it's not a "fad", it's a shift away from the telephone and one-one communication to a more circular way to communicate thanks to all of the technology. It's also a way that potential clients establish trust with a company. Your website is now your "storefront" so to speak. It's static. Social media is how clients get to know the people behind the business.
Also...just wanted to add - Think of facebook as a shift in cultural communication, it's not a "fad", it's a shift away from the telephone and one-one communication to a more circular way to communicate thanks to all of the technology. It's also a way that potential clients establish trust with a company. Your website is now your "storefront" so to speak. It's static. Social media is how clients get to know the people behind the business.
Excellent post CakeForte!
I agree... make a fan page. It's a lot easier since you don't have to approve people when they want to become a fan like you would if it ws an actual page.
I have a FB fan pge for my biz. I'm not very active with it, but my resolution is to be better. To use it to advertise specials and blog a little. =]
I agree... make a fan page. It's a lot easier since you don't have to approve people when they want to become a fan like you would if it ws an actual page.
I have a FB fan pge for my biz. I'm not very active with it, but my resolution is to be better. To use it to advertise specials and blog a little. =]
I fanned you, do you feel cooler? 
Oh totally!
I'm going to fan you too... then you can feel cooler too!! 
Thanks for all the info. I've just set up an account for myself. My daughter has one for me but says that it is thru her account and wont' let me update it. I would love some fans... it is Keystone Confections- the one that shows me with a light purple jacket as the "icon". Thanks again for all the info. Piece of cake- your cakes are beautiful!
Linda
Also...Don't post too much. What you write on your fan page wall will appear on the news feeds of all of your fans. Posting 3-4 times a day makes you like an email spammer and you will start to annoy people very quickly.
Great advice! FB can be great for business.
I post once a week, I put pictures of the cakes I've done the previous week with a small description and flavors used.
I became one of your fans PieceOfCAkeAZ!
masturbaker - I love your name - it cracks me up. I have a group on fb. let me know when your page is up and I'll join too!
[quote="CakeGrlPA"]
I became one of your fans PieceOfCAkeAZ!
Thanks CakeGrlPA!!!
I'm one of the few people left who would rather talk on the phone or see someone in person...but "the times, they are a-changing"...
I grudgingly got a facebook account when my two closest friends switched from myspace... I have some cakes in an album there, but set to private because I have a website.
Here's my issue with facebook~ everyone you ever met wants to "add" you to pad thier friend count (rude!). I hate hitting "ignore" but I do... I really only want actual friends on there. A FAN page sounds like a better way to go.
Jeanne ~ I'll FAN you tonight! I have some friends in NH and your work ROCKS!!! I'll send them your way. Oh, and thanks for the kind words you left about the 5-tier cake.
I too set up a group page for my cakes on Facebook. I invited my friends and then when they join all their friends can see. I have almost 250 members in a little less than a month- and a good 50-75 people who I don't even know personally. I've gotten several inquiries so far. I post about once a week with pictures or such- just to let them know what I've been up to. It's been my best tool yet. Masturbaker- post your name and I'll become a fan! I'll also go back and look up other posters on here and fan you guys 
Feel free to check out my page, "Kara's Custom Cakes"
Feel free to check out my page, "Kara's Custom Cakes"
What a wonderful first name you have! (It's my name, too )
We have a fan based facebook page for the bakery. I use it to post our upcoming specials, daily lunch specials and things coming hot out of the oven.
I have lots of feedback from customers coming in saying my facebook post made them stop in. It is a great way to advertise.
Feel free to check out my page, "Kara's Custom Cakes"What a wonderful first name you have! (It's my name, too
)
Yea- it goes really well with 'cakes'! LOL obviously we were destined for this profession 
You might want to make sure you are the only one under your name. I don't have a facebook page but there is a gal who pirated my business name and has even written me telling me to send her all my customers. 
(Can you say "bite me hard??) 
So I had to put a blurb on my www homepage debunking that myth. Many of my students are on facebook and have tried to contact her regarding this but everything regarding her business is marked private. Hmmmm, I wonder why...
definitely! That was the first thing I did, just because of my name, and surprisingly no one else had it yet. She asked you to send her your customers? lol Is she in your area? That's about as bad as someone contacting me (who by the way has never even iced a cake) saying her and I should go into business together. Then when she starts talking about MY cakes, she starts using the words WE and OUR. LOL yea- that email didn't get a reply. Just a good chuckle
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