Facebook Page Marketing Secret: Why I covet your Facebook Comments and Shares, not just Likes!

Did the post title above get your attention? Good. So why do I covet your Facebook Comments and Shares, not just “Likes”!

Because the Facebook algorithm is strongly affected by engagement, which affects the reach received in the Facebook Newsfeed that a Facebook Status Update, Facebook Share or Facebook Link post receives.  Whew! That was a lot of fancy words.

Check out this image of how just a few Comments and Shares, coupled with “Likes” can make a small page liked Fabric Cafe go viral.

So what does that all mean in Layman’s terms? How does it affect you as a Facebook Page owner?

It means that you can post all day long on your Facebook Page (I am not talking your Facebook personal profile) and if you don’t get any Comments, Shares and “Likes” your posts will most likely not be seen by those that have clicked “Like” on your Facebook Page, unless you pay Facebook to Promote the post or they go to visit your Facebook Page.

One of the reasons for this is when someone logs into their Facebook account their default setting for “Home” aka Facebook Newsfeed is “Top News” unless they manually elect to change this to “Most Recent”.  (This applies on your computer and when using the Facebook app on your iPhone / iPad / Android devices / etc.

Go change yours now and check it periodically. It will default back to “Top News” frequently. Tell all your Facebook Friends and Facebook Fans to fix this ASAP.

What are some of the factors that affect a Facebook Status Update’s visibility in the “Top News”? Glad you asked:

1. Pages / People that you have communicated with via Comments, Shares and “Likes” on Facebook regularly and recently
2. Updates that have received lots of engagement. i.e. Comments, Shares and “Likes”. (Note: Comments & Shares has a greater impact on this then just a post with a lot of “Likes”.)
3. Facebook was feeling generous

What can you do to increase your visibility, get into the “Top News” and reach as many as possible on Facebook?

1. Post on your Facebook Page. Post regularly at the times of that day that your client would be online.
2. Drive Engagement on your page. Use Photos / Ask Questions / Ask for Comments and Shares not just “Likes”.
3. Build your “Online Army – Your Network”. The friends, clients / customers and strategic business partners that you can count on to Comment and Share your Status Updates.
4. Be Sincere and Funny. Share information that people will want to share with their network. Don’t just Sell, Sell, Sell! You won’t get anywhere with this strategy and you will most likely lose “Likes”

What else can you do? Educate your fans “Likers” as I have called them in the past for fun! (See “Moving your Facebook Friends to Fans or Likers”.)

Ask them to elect to “Get Notified” when you post an update. With this feature, when you post a Facebook Status on your Facebook Business Page those that have “Liked” your page will receive a Notification alert that you have posted new content.

There are two ways to do “Get Notifications” from Facebook Pages:

Now for those of your fans (I’m old school and still use this term way too much!) that do elect to “Get Notified” they will receive an update every time you post something on your Facebook Page directly from Facebook. Posting to Facebook from 3^rd party services like HootSuite will not give them the Notification Alert. Also, if you post something on your Facebook Page, don’t like it and delete it, then repost they will get a 2^nd alert. Be cautious of this when posting updates, try and make sure it is right the 1^st time. Keep in mind you don’t want to torture them with unnecessary alerts on their computer, smartphone, etc. It might cause them to elect NOT to “Get Notified”.

So let’s talk a little more about this “Online Army – Your Network”! What can you do to grow your Online Army and help your Online Army succeed?

• Add the people to your “Close Friends” list on your Facebook Personal Profile so you will get a Notification when they post
• Watch for their Facebook Profile Updates and Comment, Like and “Share” when appropriate
• Elect to “Get Notified” from their pages
• Watch for their Facebook Page Updates and Comment, Like and “Share” whenever possible

Remember that Comments encourages comments. Shares encourages shares. “Likes” encourages likes. Give to your “Online Army” and they will reciprocate. Don’t be afraid to ask them to “Share” and Comment.

Now that you have read this post and been educated on Why I covet your Comments and Shares, not just your “Likes” you are part of my “Online Army”, so please click “Like” and “Share” below and by all means, don’t forget to comment!

I know you have value to add to this post …. so comment away!