Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world, with more than 2.7 billion active monthly users. Given its reach and easy accessibility, Facebook can be an extremely valuable tool when it comes to small business development. Business owners can expand their customer base, promote products and services, and generate buzz and excitement about their brand—all without a large marketing overhead. Here are a few easy ways to harness the power of this social media platform for your company.

How to Grow Your Small Business With Facebook

1. Target Your Posts

With Facebook, brevity is key. People are scrolling through an endless stream of posts and ads, and you want your information to stand out with just a few short sentences and a compelling image. Use several keywords in every post; keywords are common words or phrases that users would search for when seeking out products or services like yours.

You can also make keywords into hashtags with the addition of a # sign before each one; hashtags turn common words/phrases into clickable links, such as #wintersale. When wording your content, draw your audience in by asking a question, making a bold statement, or telling a powerful—but brief—story.

2. Take Advantage of Facebook's Free Tools

A business owner can create the most well-written posts in the world, but if they don't link to a comprehensive company profile page, the posts won't lead to any significant growth. Profile pages offer a number of free tools that let you tell the world about your products or services.

Fill out all contact information, including phone number, website, email address, and physical location, if applicable. Upload business photos and logos for headers and profile pictures to make the page colorful and inviting. Turn the Review tab on so customers can leave reviews. Write about your business on the About tab to give audiences a full picture of what you're offering.

3. Experiment With Ads

Facebook ads are not a free service, but they can be extremely helpful in small business development. They allow you to target an ad to specific demographics, locations, and profiles. Basically, a small business will set a budget and bid for each click or thousand impressions the ad will receive.

You determine beforehand how long the ad campaign will run and how much you’ll spend, which makes this an option uniquely suited to a small business that isn't working with a huge budget. Consult the Facebook for Business website for step-by-step information.

Another great way to build your business is by joining forces with a proven local resource. South Fulton Chamber of Commerce serves a wide range of companies and entrepreneurs in the Fulton County, GA, area. They offer many opportunities, including business development support, networking activities, and community engagement events. Call (770) 964-1984 or visit them online to learn about becoming a member.