How to sell on Facebook

If you asked your grandmother where she gets her aspirin, she could name the owner, managers and teenage store clerks – along with their quirks and personalities. She’s what marketers call a loyal shopper – someone who wouldn’t dream of going to any other drug store than the Rite Aid two miles away, where she’s been going since 1980.

While this may sound counter-intuitive, Facebook marketing is just as old-fashioned. Facebook is about long-term relationships with customers, not rapid one-time sales.

That’s why start-up companies should get on Facebook and use it. What better place to find new customers, or reinforce relationships with folks you know? It’s personal: you can be “friends” with customers, which makes you privy to their likes and dislikes and lifestyle changes, not to mention a long list of potential customers on their friends list.

However, never forget that Facebook is, above all, a community. When the Rite Aid manager sees your grandmother at the post office, does he bombard her with sale information? Not if he’s good at his job. The last thing you want is for your Facebook community to view you as the hardline advertiser. So embrace your inner small-town manager, and have a conversation.