Advertising on facebook?

[phathui5]

Do any of the other "birth professionals" here use facebook as an advertising medium? How well does it work for you?

[jengacnm]

I don't use it for "advertising", exactly. My main purpose is to keep in touch with clients (former and current)-I LOVE that facebook allows me a glimpse into their everyday lives, drive by fashion though it may be!

I also use it for announcements: a gathering of my practice and a few other doula organizations, our reunion party this summer, please call your senator to supprt the CPM bill, etc.

Finally, I use it sort of a stream of consciousness glimpse into me-funny little things like how fun it is to get packages from UPS and FedEx (when it's really just supplies I ordered), and how I can handle OB emergencies but melt down when my printer won't work.

It's really fun! I resisted for a long time because I was worried that it would be just one more thing to keep up with, but I LOVE it!

[momto9kidlets]

I don't, but like the previous poster I use it to sometimes keep in contact with some clients. I never tell them to find me on facebook, but accept those that do

One thing to remember about facebook is that if you want it to represent you as a business then sometimes you may have to censor what you would normally put on there. For example, if you are having a bad day you might not want to post that because you would hate to have a client who is expecting see that and stress out over how you might be if she went into labor. Also you need to consider what your outside of work life is like. I have seen some people who post pictures or their friends post pictuers of them partying it up - that might not want to be the impression you would want a client to see of you.

So I think you would have to consider your lifestyle, what you normally write on your page, etc. I have heard of a few people who have two pages, but many have said it is a pain to keep both up. Then you can also create a fan page for your business, but I don't know how that would work since I have never done one myself.

[JessicaE]

I have a personal page, and also a fan page for my business.

I post birthy stuff at my business page -- birthy quotes, studies, special events, articles, birth announcements and photos (only with client's permission, of course). This has been pretty successful in terms of keeping in touch with our audience, I think!

Many of my clients also friend me up at my personal page, so I have to be somewhat cautious about what I post there, too. But the personal page is PERSONAL, so it's where I might put something funny that my kids say, excited to be going on a trip, etc. Sometimes I will mention something about birth, but in a more general way.

Are you talking about using Facebook in this way, or actually BUYING the advertisements that appear in the R-hand column? I did try buying the advertisements for an event once, and it did not seem particularly effective. But you can choose a "pay-per-click" option, so you only pay of people are actually clicking on your ad.

[phathui5]

I'm talking about:

1) Setting up a business page.

2) Paying for the sidebar ads.

[momto9kidlets]

Originally Posted by phathui5

I'm talking about:

1) Setting up a business page.

2) Paying for the sidebar ads.

Quite honestly I found that anything you have to pay for (especially those things that are expensive) just never brought me business. What I found to be the best methods of promoting was word of mouth, business cards and sending people to my website.

Print ads, direct mailings, signage put up around town, paying extra to have your listing bumped to the top - just not worth it. I would wonder how successful paying for an ad on facebook would be as it would kind of fall into that similar category. (At least that was my experience)

[sweet.p]

Originally Posted by phathui5

I'm talking about:

1) Setting up a business page.

2) Paying for the sidebar ads.

I would NOT pay for facebook sidebar ads. Think about How you initially shop and search for services and goods, we all go to search engines, not to facebook as a first resource.

I think using your advertising budget for Google ad sense ( targeted to your community and area) , is a much better investment of your money, and has a broader reach.

I have a business page on Facebook, just to have one, I have not received one inquiry from that for my doula services. I'm always found through search engines, that leads people to the various professional listings I'm on, or my webpage, or from google ad sense.

[Peppamint]

Most of the hits on my website have come from Google (using a site tracker) and most of my clients have come from my BirthPartners.com ad- which is $25/yr- and/or Google. I have had one client who found me via facebook but she also found me doing a Google search. I do think Google Ads could be worth the money but am waiting a bit longer to try it.

I use my facebook fan page more as a way to connect with potential clients and current clients by posting informational links and generic baby announcements (like "baby girl 7lb born last night under a full moon" and stuff like that).

[demetria]

I have used facebook ads to advertise BAI and I haven't seen any real results.
I haven't done the fanpage but I know others who have and have seen good results.
Good Luck.

[eastkygal]

CAPPA released a DVD recently about marketing a birth work service/business on Facebook. I bought it and found it very helpful.

[MidwifeErika]

I have a fan page for my business. It works as a way to connect with people and to advertise any upcoming events and as a space for birth announcements. I enjoy the fact that it is free too. I have no experience paying for their ads though.

[phathui5]

I'm up to 41 people on my facebook business fan page. I decided against paying for their advertising.

[Amydoula]

I have a personal FB page and a separate Business page for my doula work. I do not pay for ads.

[mommyndoula]

Originally Posted by phathui5

2) Paying for the sidebar ads.

I've done it. Basically, in a one month period my ad, re-directing to my webpage (mot my FB fan page), was clicked on 94 times. It cost me just under $35. I never got a single client from it. However, I have been contacted recently by a girl wanting to become a doula that found me because of the ad (not exactly what I was hoping for).
I basically chalked the whole experience up to networking. It's 94 people that probably wouldn't have clicked on my page otherwise.

Honestly, I'll do it again. BUT, I'll do it differently. Instead of my ad being the 'text book -pregnant? hire a doula' blurb I'll be prepared to say 'mention this ad, get a discount' or something to that effect. I am interested to see if that changes my results any.

I ran the ad for just under 30 days, so it cost me just more than $1/day, so I'll consider doing it 2x times a year.

I very much believe there's only so far free marketing can take you, and i agree, it's well worth your time and money to increase your google/search engine rankings , but I also think it's important to invest a small amount of money from time to time to promote your business. The more a customer see's your name the more likely they are to purchase what you offer. The psychology of marketing says it takes a customer 3 times!

[Beccadoula]

I have been paying for facebook ads the past few months...and the only people who seem to look at it are across the country. Even though I have made clear specifications, it continues to happen. I don't they they are putting my ad on ANY of the local people's profiles...just across the world!!!

[phathui5]

it's well worth your time and money to increase your google/search engine rankings ,

Does anyone have tips on increasing your google/search rankings? I just started a website for our local doula network today.