What You Need To Know About the 2019 Changes to Facebook

Why you should not give up...

1. Facebook gives you access to targeted audiences. No other digital or print channels can match these.
2. Facebook has 2.3 billion active users of which 75% of them are logging on daily.
3. The average Facebook user visits their feed 14 times a day. 60% of consumers will visit your Facebook page before visiting your shop or website.
4. 80% of consumers are more likely to buy from you if you have an active Facebook page.
5. 62% of consumers say Facebook is the most important channel for researching companies.

So what are the changes?...

• Facebook does not want you to send your customers away from Facebook.
• Posts with external links will not be shown to as many of your followers.
• Facebook does not want you to push people into entering promotions and giveaways. Unless you are paying for this via an Ad.
• Facebook wants you to encourage meaningful engagement. Posts with comments and shares and conversation will increase your reach. You replying to comments will increase your reach.
• If people 'LIKE' your post this will not affect your reach. They need to spend that extra second to hover over the like button and choose another emotion. This tells Facebook they have connected with your post. Clicking 'LIKE' is too easy.
• Facebook wants more video content. The video needs to be uploaded to Facebook. The longer people watch it for the more people will see your post.
• If most of your website traffic comes from Facebook and Instagram your posts will be deprioritised. Facebook will deem that your website is not worth sending your followers too. In other words, optimise your website.

What do you need to do to keep reaching your followers?

• Avoid posts which push people to buy your products.
• Avoid posts that want people to enter competitions, promotions, and giveaways.
• Avoid posts that have links to sites away from Facebook. I would not stop all posts linking to your website but I would reduce these kinds of posts.
• Write posts which encourage engagement. Ask questions, provide solutions.
• Think about the issues your target audience face and solve their problems.
• Create posts which increase your brand awareness. Subtly place your logo or website URL on some of the posts.
• Provide more video content. These videos do not have to be professionally created. Having some good professional video is always a good idea. We all have phones with decent cameras so get used to making short videos. If you do get professional videos made, avoid boring title intro's. Get straight to the point with the most interesting content first. The longer people watch your video, the greater your reach.
• Live video is prioritised. You can mention your website during your live recording.
• Do not forget about your website. Do not make the effort to send people to your website if they are not going to find what they are looking for. Or leave the site because it is outdated and difficult to navigate. Your website must be good as it is your cyberstore.
• You need to consider spending on Facebook Ads (not boosting a post). If you take a look at your newsfeed you will see that generally, the 2nd post in your feed is a sponsored one. That is where you need to be. This does not mean spending your whole marketing budget but you do need to part with a few pennies. You must create the right sales funnel for your Ads. You could waste a great deal of your money. I will cover Facebook Ads and the sales funnel in another article.

These changes are being rolled out over the coming months. You have time to start a new approach to your social media content. If you struggle with having the time to create these posts. Or create videos and set up Facebook Ads then please get in touch. Email info@spcmarinemarketing.com for a FREE consultation.