Well as a big snow storm has been pounding the Northeast, I find I am in desperate need of something to warm me up. Like I said, I am covered in snow and in
desperate need of something to defrost my life. So while searching for a Fan Page for this week’s Fan Page Friday, I finally decided on everyone’s favorite (well, most people’s favorite) coffee shop on a cold winter day, Starbucks.
So welcome back to Fan Page Friday, where every week we take a look at a different Facebook Fan Page and talk over what they are doing right, what they are doing wrong, and what we can all learn from them. So let’s kick into the 2011 Edition of Fan Page Friday…
With over 19 MILLION fans, Starbucks’ fan page is yet another example of leveraging a great brand to attract an already loyal fan base. But for all of us who can’t get the attention of 19 million people quicker than your favorite barista can make a Grande Java Chip Frappacino with a double shot of espresso, topped with whipped cream, with no fudge please….there is something to learn here. Let’s get to it.
Interacting With Your Facebook Audience
One of my favorite things about Starbucks’ Facebook Fan Page is how well they interact with their fans. I want to spotlight thier photo gallery, which allows fans to upload a picture of them with their cup of Starbucks in hand. With almost 8,000 uploads, Starbucks is giving every fan an opportunity to add to the Starbucks experience. This initiative is consistent with their brand, and is a very unique way of getting their fans to come back time and time again.
Not everyone out there offers a physical product, but there is still something to learn here. Find ways to interact with your audience in a unique way. Starbucks knows their market, and has made a way for every Starbucks-lover to use their iPhone (not sure I have ever seen someone in a Starbucks without an iPhone) to capture their morning coffee and interact on their Fan Page while away from their computer. So learn from Starbucks, know your market and engage them in a unique way.
Content is King
How many videos does Starbucks have on its Fan Page? The answer on January 28th, 2011 is 31. That is 31 different videos posted by Starbucks alone. They also allow for their users to post videos, which means technically they have over 90 videos in total. But the number I want to focus on is 31. Starbucks is creating opportunities for people to stay on their Fan Page. By offering great content, Starbucks has provided over 60 minutes of content for their visitors to consume. The longer a visitor stays on your page, the longer you have to win their trust. If someone who doesn’t necessarily like Starbucks that much (like myself), goes on this Fan Page and sees their favorite music artist (Anyone else really into Zac Brown right now??) performing in one of their videos, they are way more likely to click that precious “Like” button (I totally did).
So again, not sure many of us have celebrities on speed dial, but there is something to learn here for all of us. Good content is a great way to engage your audience and keep them around. Know what your market in interested in, and get content on your page that will engage them like no one else will. If you can’t make great videos, find them somewhere else. Write interesting articles. Link to good website. Link to other great Fan Pages on your “Favorites”. But fill your Fan Page with content that your market will find relevant, interesting, and engaging.
Well that wraps it up for this week’s Fan Page Friday. Hope you all enjoyed our look at Starbucks, feel free to ask questions about what you read here or let us know if you enjoyed it! And be sure to comment below and request a review of your favorite business’s Fan Page and we will throw them into our lineup. Happy marketing everyone! Stay warm!