Thousands of new businesses are launched every day around the world. Brands with drive and abundant ideas turn their understanding of a market problem into an innovative product or service. But there is a lot more to launching a new product than a great idea–and a market in need of a solution, you have to figure out how to generate buzz and get people to buy into it. There are many social networks to choose from and with millions of brands using Facebook to launch products; BlackEnterprise.com details how you can use the network to launch your product:
If you build it, they will come
First things first: to get the most out of Facebook, brands should focus on building a target audience. Start by defining who your audience is and develop a strategy to guide them to your fan page. Releasing consistent content packed with useful information in conjunction with contests, powered by Facebook ads, will ensure that you get the consumers you’re seeking.
Ben & Jerry’s is a brand to watch when it comes to Facebook fan pages. The famous ice cream brand not only has a well laid out page, but excellent fan engagement. Ben & Jerry’s profiles fans with their products which lets consumers know that they’re highly valued by their brand.
Research and develop
If your brand currently has a significant following, use Facebook to soft launch your product. Invite users to test your brand and provide feedback as volunteers. Make sure to reward them in some way once your product or service fully launches. Remember these people can become your evangelists, especially since you gave them the opportunity to be a part of the process.
Lay’s has been able to harness the power of Facebook in their Lay’s Do Us a Flavor campaign. It has not only provided research and development of what potato chip flavor they should release next; the brand has also generated millions of dollars in sales by peaking people’s curiosity.
Activate your fans
Well planned contests and giveaways not only increase the number of likes, they engage your target audience and provide valuable customer information. The campaign needs to have three key elements:
- a way for your fans to interact with not only the brand but with each other
- a clean design/copy
- an enticing prize
Looking for some inspiration? A great example is Gillette Venus Embrace DIY contest. The contest urges crafty women to embrace their inner “do it yourself diva†by completing several challenges. The winner wins a trip to Los Angeles.
Embrace technology
Thanks to the brilliant engineers at Facebook they have given brands a significant advantage. By launching Facebook ads you can create a targeted campaign based on a user’s city, state, or employer.
Visit the Facebook ads page and begin inputting the demographics information of your potential customers. It will let you know how many Facebook users you can reach, and assist you in launching a cost-effective campaign based on your budget.
S. Lynn Cooper is a Washington, DC-based digital strategist and communications expert. Cooper is the founder and director of Socially Ahead, a strategic communications agency that specializes in the creation of social and digital strategies and campaign management. Follow her on Twitter at @sociallyahead .