If your business or nonprofit has social media profiles, you know it can be a battle to get that “Like” or “Follow” on your page from fans using Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  You’re posting great content, but what’s the point if no one is seeing it?  

How To Get The Like
As a consumer, I want to know “What’s in it for me?” if I like or follow your fan page on social media.  Provide a value proposition to your customers, staff, vendors, and partners.  Don’t just tell them to like you; give them some sort of benefit for becoming your fans.   Remember, it’s about them, not you.

Dave Kerpen, author of the social media book Likeable, gives us good examples of providing value:

Ex) Like us on FB now at facebook.com/dauconsulting
vs
Ask us your management questions anytime at facebook.com/dauconsulting

• Share your feedback with us at FB.com/……
• Win prizes and join the conversation at ……
• Your medical questions answered at …….
• Free support for quitting smoking at
• Connect with other moms like you at ….
• Get some at …….

Dave Kerpen also shares in his book the Top 10 Reasons Consumers Like Fan Pages on Facebook:

1. To receive discounts and promos
2. To show support for brand to friends
3. To get a “freebie” (e.g., free samples, coupons)
4. To stay informed about company activities
5. For updates on future projects
6. For updates on upcoming sales (Now would be a good time to promote your Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas sales.) 
7. Just for fun
8. To get access to exclusive content
9. To learn more abut the company
10. For education about company topic

 A good example is Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola, IL.  They ran a campaign that said “We want to thank all our fans by celebrating with a giveaway! Win 1 lb of your favorite candy for you or a friend. To enter, simply (1) ‘Like’ the Flesor’s Candy Kitchen Facebook page & (2) Tag a friend in the comments below this post who you think deserves some homemade sweets. ” (their followers grew substantially that month)

Work with your team to come up with benefits for why your customers should become your fans on social media.  What is your 15 second elevator pitch you would tell anyone you come into contact with why they should like you on Facebook or follow you on Instagram and Twitter?  Tell everyone on every piece of marketing material:  your website, every email, every staff person’s email signature, every business card, every brochure, every receipt, snail mail, phone calls, packaging, in-location signage, etc.   Posting just the social symbols doesn’t count, remember to include the value and benefit of why fans should Like you.

As a consumer, why do you follow certain fan pages?  What value does your business page provide?  Ask us your social media questions in the comments below or at facebook.com/dauconsulting