TIPS AND TRICKS
A creator's guide to growth: best practices for growing your Facebook presence
This is the second installment in our series aimed to help creators understand the fundamentals of how to grow an audience and measure results on Facebook. While there is no single formula for success, and every journey is unique, there are some best practices to consider to help build your audience and increase your content distribution.
When in doubt, start creating with Reels
If you’re just starting on Facebook, start with Reels. Reels are immersive, entertaining videos with editing functionality, audio, effects, and creative tools that you create and watch on Facebook and Instagram. Reels not only appear in Feed, but on your timeline, watch tab and throughout the Facebook app. Making reels according to our best practices is truly one of the best ways to get noticed by new people and get your name out there.
Post frequently and consistently
Posting high-quality content frequently can increase opportunities for audiences, existing and new, to see content that they love.
Posting consistently gives viewers another reason to return often to see what new content you’ve posted.
Fresh, original content, along with engaging with your audience, can help build a strong community.
Use Post Composer
We are constantly working to give creators the best tools possible to create. A new tool in the toolbox is our Post Composer tool, designed to streamline the process of creating a post and simplify content creation on Facebook.
Use Post Composer to schedule your posts in advance, view recommended times for optimal post scheduling and cross-post your content to specific Groups where you know your audience will be.
Follow our content type best practices
It’s important to remember that one size doesn’t fit all. That being said, we do have some general best practices that may be useful as you create on Facebook.
Reels: Reels are short form videos (up to 60 seconds) that can unlock huge growth potential for creators, through including new more opportunities for creativity, discoverability, audience development and monetization. Reels are shared as Public by default, which enables your content to be discovered by new audiences, thus allowing you to grow your reach. Our best practices for Reels include avoiding recycled content, bringing your unique twist to the trends of the day and experimenting with our tools and new formats to make content that your audience will find engaging and shareworthy.
Long Form Videos (LFV) (Not Including Reels): Longer form video (also sometimes called Video on Demand or VOD) allows you to create content at a variety of lengths. In order to get your videos seen, make sure you make videos that are original, engage audiences from start to finish, encourage loyalty amongst your viewers (i.e., they come back to watch time and time again) and spark meaningful interaction with your fans. Use our checklist and our 10 tactical best practices to optimize your video posts.
Live: Going Live can be a great opportunity to deepen your connection with your fans. Helpful tips for live streaming can help you make the most of those live interaction moments.
Non-Video Posts: The best non-video posts are those that grab the attention of the user right away. Use striking visuals and engaging language to make your posts actionable and encourage interaction with your fans.
Stories: The best Stories take advantage of the unique, ephemeral nature of a story. Grab viewer attention by maximizing the impact of the first frame of the story. Vary the scenery and locations of where you are shooting to entice your viewer. Remember that you can use multiple Stories to tell a full narrative and bring the viewer along with you.
Engage with your audience
The most successful creators are those who don’t just build great content, but build great communities as well. Engaging regularly and authentically with the audience you have built is critical in growing your following and distribution on Facebook.
Engagement is not a one-way street; prioritize a two-way dialogue with your community. Ask open-ended questions, respond to mentions and DMs and build your reputation as an approachable creator. Make sure to use some of the tools that we have to help make this easier. The Top Fans tool can help you identify and engage with your most ardent fans and cheerleaders. The redesigned Live experience makes it easier than ever to host a live Q&A session. Show your community some love and they’ll return it in spades.
Measure results and adjust
We have built a variety of tools to help you understand your impact on Facebook. Use these tools to analyze and adjust your creation to help meet your own personal goals.
Through in-app notifications, you will receive insights on your weekly follower growth and tips on how to grow your audience. Make sure to check these notifications frequently. Reviewing your Professional Dashboard can enable you to understand how your content is resonating with users. The most successful creators are those who never stop learning, measuring and adjusting to meet their audience where they are.
To recap:
1
When in doubt, start with Reels. Reels are a great way to reach new fans.
2
Create content authentic to yourself that engages your fans. Original, engaging and meaningful content can help you to reach new fans and grow your audience.
3
Measure your results frequently to see what is working and where you can improve.
Read More:
A creator’s guide to growth: how to get your content seen on Facebook
