It’s been one week since I launched a social media initiative for my employer, and I think the results have been good thus far.
Specifically, I’m very pleased with the rate in which we have increased the fan base on the Facebook page. In less than one week almost 4,000 people have become a fan – and that’s fantastic.
There’s another credit union of equal size that I was using as somewhat of a baseline prior to the launch, but we surpassed their 898 fans in about 12 hours. I don’t know this for a fact, but we may have one of the largest credit union fan bases on Facebook.
How do you get the fans?
That question should be answered when you develop your social media strategy. There are a number of different answers, but you need to determine what works best for you. (For example, will the Facebook page be promoted on your homepage? What will the content be?)
What do you post on Facebook?
Relevant content that you think your audience will appreciate is a good start. The fact that people have chosen to be your fan is an honor, always keep that in mind and provide compelling content that adds value.
But then, I’m also a fan of mixing it up. For example, last night prior to the Super Bowl I did a post asking fans who they thought would win the game. The question quickly generated a series of comments and allowed for interaction amongst fans.
I have a lot of additional Facebook/Twitter info to share, but I’ll do that in subsequent posts.
If you haven’t already, it would be great to have you follow me on Twitter.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
4,000 fans, kudos! However, when does social media stop being social? Now, to me Facebook seems more to be a one way communication platform where as Twitter is far more conversational. With having so many fans how does one feel that their comment is important or feel that they are a name within 4,000 instead of a number. I marvel at how many fans/followers people have but, are we using social networking to prove our awesomeness or to connect with people.
Kristi,
One way would be defined as a company simply pushing info. That isn’t what we are doing at all. Visit http://www.facebook.com/truliantfcu and you’ll notice that we are starting conversations, providing content, and responding to a vast number of Wall posts.
The point you are hitting at could also be made for Twitter. I’m def not a fan of the one way push – not a best practice at all. Thanks for checking out the site!
Ryan
Congratulations on building an incredible fan base so quickly! Simply awesome results Ryan! I have never seen anything like this for any big brand, let alone a credit union!
Tim, what a statement – thank you so much for the kind words!
Absolutely amazing! I am impressed by what you have done with Facebook. So thrilled to have you on CU Chat Up next week to talk all about it!
Did you mention that you got all those fans by offering $1000? Who doesn’t need $1000 these days? Any Facebook page offering $1000 gets me as a fan. I wouldn’t credit the number of fans you got by the way the wall is being managed.
So, you don’t think the phenomenal growth has anything to do with the $1000 drawing Truliant is offering for people who become fans? I mean the growth is great, but you seemed to leave out a critical point in your story about the growth.
Just seems like you should be honest about it, especially if you’re trying to gain credibility.
Joe,
I actually thought I had used a graphic on the site highlighting the contest, but it appears I didn’t. Did I say the fans came because how the wall was being managed? Don’t think I did. By the way, fake email addresses tend to make it seem like you are “hiding” for some suspicious reason.
Jim,
Sure the growth has also been driven by the contest, but it has also been driven by other efforts. I mean, people had to hear about the contest right? Like I said to Joe above, I thought I had used the contest graphic in a previous post. I’ve been a wee bit busy and it appears I was mistaken.
I appreciate you visiting the site, but it’s oddly funny that you and Joe just happened to visit the site on the same day – and leave similar comments… Have a good one.
Ryan