With Facebook launching its redesigned pages for businesses early this year, many have flocked into the social media site, hoping to leverage this free function to increase their online presence. And expectedly, not all pages turned out to be successful. In fact, most turned out to be disastrous.
So, how do we define a successful page? And which are the businesses that made it?
Although many of us believe in quantitative measures, the number of fans is definitely not the only yardstick to measure a page’s success. In my opinion, a successful Facebook page needs to be engaging, updated and rewarding. Each element has to co-exist in order to create a kick-ass page that is meaningful to the fans.
1. Ben & Jerry’s
What’s on the wall?:
Posting pictures of happy Ben & Jerry’s fans enjoying its tasty ice cream regardless of location and occasion has definitely created an image of global happiness. Not only that, its status is up to date and filled with comments from its fans.
What’s Special?:
Ben & Jerry’s is definitely one of the more creative pages around in Facebook. To promote its Flipped Out ice cream, it has created a Facebook application that allows you to flip your text like that: s,ʎɹɹǝɾ & uǝq (ben & jerry’s). This sends other people questioning, “how did you do that?” and guess where the fingers point to? Definitely Ben & Jerry’s!
In a Sentence:
Ben & Jerry’s is more than ice cream, it is a community.
2. Pizza Hut
What’s on the wall?:
It contains a lot of teaser messages that drive your stomach rumbling. Since I did order a Hawaiian Pizza, I must say they have a way in making fans hungry and most importantly, greedy! Every message is crafted with some evidence of creativity, which projects a cool and fun image – Exactly what Pizza Hut is all about.
What’s Special?:
Definitely their order app! Making it easy for Facebookers to order a pizza is a smart strategy.
In a Sentence:
Creative and punchy messages that certainly work with the fans.
3. Victoria’s Secret
What’s on the wall?:
From videos of sexy models (Alessandra Ambrosio and Marisa Miller), fun polls, new models introduction to promotion advertisements, the fans love it all! A question or request is normally thrown out to the fans to keep them engaged – an important element to building a strong page on Facebook.
What’s Special?:
Having problems matching your bikini? Victoria Secret’s bikini builder helps you find your perfect match with just a couple of clicks. Oh, and don’t forget to take down the names of your fittings!
In a Sentence:
A sexy page indeed.
4. FML
What’s on the wall?:
If you didn’t know, FML stands for F My Life. Its wall is filled with engaging text conversations and a couple of videos from its ‘nuttiest face competition’. FML posts are not exactly crafted in a creative manner but they certainly possess the style and language that fans fancy.
What’s Special?:
Nothing beats a series of hilarious nutty face videos. It is a great way to market FML book via fans’ nutty face work. Just like anyone else, I would feel very much appreciated if my submitted nutty face is featured on FML series.
In a Sentence:
What the eff are you waiting for?
5. iTunes
What’s on the wall?:
iTunes promotes different music and short MTV to entice buyers. Well, such advertisements are always welcome and are normally flooded with thousands of likes and comments. Who doesn’t like to be updated with the latest and coolest music?
What’s Special?:
There is a whole load of treasure under its “Featured” tab. Share a song through Facebook and easily receive podcast updates with the iTunes page. New to iTunes? Not to worry. They have a series of tutorial videos right on its page. A smart move to acquire more users through Facebook. And best of all, just by becoming a fan, you get 20 free songs. Isn’t this rewarding?
In a Sentence:
Music updates and rewards with iTunes.
6. Starbucks
What’s on the wall?:
‘Favorite Starbucks® Ice Cream flavor?’ poll, greetings and updates on CEO Howard Schultz and special promotions. Not many pages talk about its CEO and what they are really doing. This not only keeps the fan updated but also draws them closer to the company by letting them know that Starbucks is always striving to deliver the best to all its stakeholders.
What’s Special?:
No cool apps or funky ideas to entice its fans. However, the coffee giant has truly brought about a genuine and heartfelt approach in its page.
In a Sentence:
A friendly and warmhearted coffee giant.
7. Pringles
What’s on the wall?:
Humorous video posts on different people’s Pringles experience – which are certainly well liked by fans. Just thought it could be more up to date.
What’s Special?:
Pringles allows anyone to review its potato chips and so far, the reviews have been pretty positive. Judging from a business point of view, the reviews are certainly impressive. You hear them directly from the consumers’ mouth. Buy a Pringles now!
In a Sentence:
Potato chips loved by many.
8. Redbull
What’s on the wall?:
Besides the normal stuff you see, there is an interesting video that features Red Bull Racing NASCAR driver, Brian Vickers and his pit crew performing a full pit stop in the middle of Times Square, New York. That striked me hard. Redbull certainly lives up to its cool and sporty image.
What’s Special?:
Showing off its diverse sponsorships in sports has pushed its sporty image to a higher level. Redbull also features its athletes and allows its fans to connect with them through Facebook and Twitter. Building the connection between its fans and athletes give them more reason to indulge in Redbull. What a move!
In a Sentence:
This sporty bull sticks!
9. Coca Cola
What’s on the wall?:
Fans own this Coca Cola page. Discussions and posts are fans generated. I guess it is probably the Cola brand effect.
What’s Special?:
Nothing seemed special at the first glance but this approach is certainly working for Coca Cola. Allowing its fans to write freely on its wall makes the page more viral as fans feel significant and know that their voices are heard. However, this also means that Coca Cola would be potentially more vulnerable to critics. Although none has been found so far.
In a Sentence:
Fans managing the Cola page.
10. Facebook
What’s on the wall?:
The wall is filled with news and updates about Facebook. The fact that you’re looking at Facebook’s Facebook page with your Facebook account means that you’re already engaged with Facebook.
What’s Special?:
The videos are the ones that would possibly touch your heart. Watch a couple of them and you would probably be more “loyal” to Facebook. It tells you a lot about the Facebook team – who runs it, how they run it and their story behind each application. Watch them and you’d be impressed.
In a Sentence:
Facebook’s Facebook page.
Also catch:
