Using Facebook To Grow Your Engineering Business

There has never been a more important time to incorporate social media into your marketing strategy, no matter which industry you operate within. However, engineering really lends itself to the use of social media, simply because there are lots of interesting components and projects you can show off!

In this series, we’ll show you how to use each of the social media platforms to grow your business and expand awareness of your brand. In this instalment, we’ll show you how to use Facebook to draw in prospective customers.

What is Facebook Business?

Facebook Business is an extremely popular method of advertising for all kinds of companies.

Chances are that you’re already familiar with Facebook when it comes to personal social media, but Facebook Business is also an extremely popular method of advertising for all kinds of companies.

Businesses are able to build a profile and post just like an individual, but with the added benefit of customer ratings, as well as clearly displayed company contact details. This means that companies are able to network with the wider demographic of potential customers within the general public.

Who Uses Facebook?

The beauty of having a business profile on Facebook is that most people use it in some capacity or another.

The beauty of having a business profile on Facebook is that most people use it in some capacity or another. Facebook users cover a huge demographic, meaning that with the right message, it is possible to reach a vast expanse of users.

However, unlike LinkedIn which is by and large a social media platform for professionals, Facebook is more of a personal affair. The downside of this is that prospective clients may not necessarily think to hunt you down on Facebook; however, you can counter this by sponsoring your posts to ensure that they reach the right audience. This can be done fairly cheaply and works especially well if you have a product as opposed to a service.

What Should I Post?

As Facebook is geared more towards personal use than business, your posts should follow a similar vein. Although professionalism is always essential, it’s better to keep your posts lighthearted and focus on the more ‘human’ aspects of your company.

Examples of content that works particularly well on Facebook include:

• Staff birthdays: If a member of your staff has an upcoming birthday, then why not write a post wishing them a great day? This will make them feel valued, while also providing potential and existing customers with faces to names.
• Company events: Has your company recently had a team night out? A few photos from the event would work great as a Facebook post (however, make sure they show your company and staff in a good light!). Christmas parties and exhibitions also make great topics to post about.
• Interesting projects you’ve worked on: If you’ve recently undertaken a unique project for your clients, then make sure to post about it on Facebook. With your client’s permission, including a few photos of completed components or videos of your machines in action (and perhaps a quick testimonial) can work wonders.

When Should I Post?

Users are far more likely to check their Facebook news feed during their own time, meaning that mornings, evenings and weekends are great times to post. Although consistency is key when posting to any social media account, Facebook doesn’t require as much upkeep as the likes of LinkedIn. Posting two to three times per month can be all you need to maintain an adequate presence on Facebook.

Further Tips For Facebook Success:

• ‘Like’ your customers’ pages: One of the most effective ways to build a following on Facebook is to ‘like’ your customers’ pages. They’ll more than likely return the favour, giving you a bigger platform to promote your business.
• Make sure you reply to comments on your posts: If somebody takes the time to comment on your post, you should also take the time to acknowledge them. Whilst a reply thanking them and answering any questions is preferable, simply ‘liking’ their comment shows that you appreciate their interaction, meaning that they’ll be more likely to interact again in future!
• Be patient: Starting a social media account does not equate to overnight success - instead, you need to be patient when building a following and realise that it will take a considerable time investment to get things underway. Becoming disheartened early on is a one-way route to failure, while perseverance will ensure that your efforts pay off.
• Consider using paid posts: As I mentioned earlier, paid posts can work especially well to reach your desired demographic, especially if you offer a product instead of a service. Facebook posts are fairly cheap to sponsor, meaning that you can reach a larger audience without breaking the bank in the process!

Further Information:

If you would like any further information on how to use Facebook to grow your engineering business, we’re more than happy to help! Simply call Qimtek on 01256 394 500, or email [email protected]