By Jennifer Henderson
Five years have passed since I joined Facebook. When I first joined, I reconnected with long-lost friends (Hello, high-school buddies!), shared photos, and wasted way too much time surfing online profiles. At the time, I thought the social media site would be like MySpace—a fad that would soon lose its appeal.
But, Facebook isn’t a fad at all. Facebook stated in May, 2013, that 1.1 billion people now use the site each month (compared to 1 million people at the end 2004). Facebook has evolved over time and has made changes throughout the years. As an example, Facebook just announced that it will start using hashtags (see the last Twitter 101 blog post).
How I use Facebook has changed, as well. In addition to connecting with friends, I now use it to keep up with local news in my community, search for coupons and sales at stores, and share information with fellow parents. I’m able to message my friends through the site, learn when my daughter’s swim class is canceled due to inclement weather, and find out what my favorite restaurant is offering for specials. Basically, I don’t know what I’d do without Facebook. I love the fact that it has grown into more than just a way to share status updates and photos. The social media site is a tool that I use every day.
Facebook’s Advertising Potential
If I use Facebook as a tool each day, a lot of other people do too. That’s why there is an enormous advertising potential on Facebook. According to a recent article in Forbes, Facebook has reached 1 million advertisers, “a milestone signaling that it has become a mainstream advertising channel for small and medium-sized businesses.” Facebook also has just started a site highlighting small businesses that have found success on Facebook. The site provides helpful information on how businesses can build relationships with customers and drive sales using Facebook.
While some users (including me at times) balk at Facebook’s use of embedded and targeted ads, Facebook advertising is here to stay. So, it’s important to look at Facebook as a tool for growing your own business. If your time is limited, a consultant like Carole can help you reach your advertising goals.
Let us know how you have used Facebook through the years and how you’ve used the site to grow your business. We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below
