Did you know that at the F8 conference in April 2017, Facebook announced it now has 1.9 billion monthly active users? This means, even if your product or service is tailored for one in a million you have access to nearly two thousand customers. The proof is in these numbers: Facebook is valuable for even the smallest of businesses and I recommend all small business owners should consider having a Facebook business page.

Also discussed at this conference are the new Facebook features allow you to contact, connect, resonate, and serve this large pool of users like never before – and for free. Below are four of the Facebook’s features that most Facebook users aren’t even aware of.

 

1. Omni-Channel Marketing Analytics

The recent updates improve data collection from multiple channels such as:

• Facebook page
• Website
• App
• Bots

The new feature makes analyzing customer behavior easier than before. For example, if you create a post on your Facebook page to showcase a product and you create a landing page on your website, you can use the omni-channel analytics to see the number of people who:

• Interact with the post promoting your product
• Visit your product’s landing page after the interaction
• Purchase the product after reaching the landing page

Using the information, you can identify the strengths and weaknesses of your multi-channel marketing plan and learn from your customers’ behavior and data..

 

2. Clean News Feeds

Facebook aims to reduce exposure to web experiences by offering low value. This is bad news for businesses that employ spam tactics to increase visibility. On the other hand, the new step is great news for companies that address their audience’s:

• Fears: I’m afraid I can’t…
• Frustrations: I’m so fed up of…
• Hopes: I know I can, but…
• Desires: I wish I could…

You can do that using textual, audio, or visual content, such as:

• How-to articles
• Informational posts
• Product reviews
• Podcasts
• Webinars
• Video tutorials and demos
• Events

If you do this, people will comment, like, and share your content. These interactions tell Facebook that your content is valuable. As a result, you get better visibility.

 

3. Host Live Streams

Not every business can afford celebrity endorsements. The good news is that authority endorsements are very affordable. With its new feature, Facebook now allows you to host live streams. One way to take advantage of this is to utilize those at your company who are:

• Experts who can address frequently asked questions about your product or service,
• Instructors who can show how to use your product or service more effectively, and
• Existing customers who can vouch for the quality of your product or service?

Put these folks on a live stream to talk to your target audience. Doing this will boost your credibility and likability. When your audience trusts you and your expertise, they will be more willing to invest in your offering.

 

4. Automated Insights

Collecting data is the first step. Interpreting the data to gain insights is the next. Altering course based on the insights is the final step. Then, the cycle begins again. Facebook’s automated insights makes the second step easier and faster than before.

Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, this feature highlights points of interest in the data collected. Therefore, you can:

• Identify new opportunities,
• Spot threats early, and
• Validate assumptions

Consequently, your company can become more responsive to your audience’s needs. When used with the omni-channel analytics feature, automated insights provide powerful data driven and actionable intel.

Keep in Touch… (And Make a Difference)

Today, access to a global customer base is not limited to big corporations. With Facebook, you and I can add value to millions of people across the globe. These new features provide powerful tools to gain insights and launch more effective campaigns. The best part is – it costs little to nothing.

If you’re not sure how to use the new features, or old ones, reach out to us. We have a team of marketing professionals eager to assist you in taking advantage of these and more powerful features.