I know you are likely thinking…do I really need another window decal to put on my business?
Indeed, just when you thought that you had all the window decals you need, along comes Facebook with yet another one.
Apparently, Facebook is sending special window decals to certain local businesses that have text-to-like SMS instructions on them. The picture below demonstrates what it looks like
It’s no secret that Facebook is a massive force in the internet world. It has nearly 500 million users already an counting. As such, Facebook is a powerful tool for local internet marketing, and can greatly help you both attract and retain local customers for your business.
With the limited release of a window decal they are making it possible for these select businesses to further promote their Facebook properties. Indeed, this simple window decal provides anyone with a cell phone with the ability to “like” a local business on Facebook. Any Facebook user would recognize the prominent Like icon and Facebook logo.
So what’s the big deal? Well, Facebook claims that “businesses that promote their Page off-Facebook tend to see a 20% or greater increase in connections.” I’m somewhat unsurprised by the relatively high percentage as Facebook makes it very easy for individuals to connect with business on the Facebook and because there are so many Facebook users out there.
With a simple decal like this, it’s even easier to promote your businesses Facebook property and easier for clients to connect with your business through Facebook (all they got to do is send an SMS).
Why does it matter if I make any connections to clients or customers through Facebook? More specifically, who cares if a customer “likes” me on Facebook? Well, remember this important little lesson: Social networks provide social proof!
Any marketer or even psychologist will tell you just how important social proof is, especially to people’s everyday decisions etc. Social proof is essentially social influence that guides your decision-making when you lack the knowledge to know what decision to make. You do it all the time. If everybody starts looking at the sky, you can’t help but also look at the sky even though you have no real reason why.
The same logic goes with social networking sites like Facebook. If your business generates a great number of “likes,” more and more users will respond to your business as they see your growing popularity.
Indeed, local business owners especially know that social proof is one of (if not the) largest marketing assets they can have. Many local businesses grow by word-of-mouth, which is certainly a type of social proof. Thus, having an additional effective and simple tool to further your business’s social proof, is yet another fantastic resource you can use for your local marketing.
After all, it is only a window decal. All you have to do is “set it and forget it,” and you have already helped your local internet marketing.
Of course, your businesses should actually have a Facebook property if you are using this decal. If you don’t already have one up, then what are you waiting for?!
Have you been using Facebook for your local business? What have been your experiences so far?