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10 Tips for Property Managers Using Facebook

Posted on 21. Dec, 2009 by Charity Hisle in Marketing

Facebook is opening doors for property managers to engage in conversation with residents and their local community. The question everyone wants to know is, how? It’s easier than you might think! Here are 10 tips for apartment communities using Facebook.

1. Create a Fan Page.
Although it is tempting to create a profile, it is risky. Facebook dictates that businesses are required to use Fan pages and can remove any profile page for violation of terms and conditions. I recommend not taking the chance.

2. Suggest your Facebook friends fan the page.
Fan your own page with your own profile. Click the suggest to friends link beneath your Fan page avatar and share the page with your friends and family.

3. Share relevant information.
Ideas for updates include community events, local events, links to the community newsletter, photos, videos and local school information. I also like holiday recipes, easy how-to’s, and apartment-living articles. Write or share what your residents and prospects want to read.

4. Connect with local business Fan Pages.
Reach out to local businesses in your area and “fan” their Facebook Fan pages. Comment and link back to your property Fan page. If your business neighbor is on Facebook, connect with them on Facebook.

5. Make it easy to Fan your page.
Post links to fan your page on your property website.

6. Reverse that!
If you want to drive traffic to your website, don’t forget to provide a link to your website on your Fan page.

7. Tell everyone!
Tell residents, walk-ins, and everyone you know! You can use signs, posters, flyers and even buttons. Make it an everyday conversation in your leasing office.

8. Create unique promotions.
Create unique promotions that encourage ongoing participation and loyalty. Monetary promotions inspire short-lived activity.

9. Encourage feedback.
Use polls to request feedback from your ‘online’ community on future content. Respond to every comment, even negative ones. By addressing issues head-on and honestly, you will establish an expectation of trust between yourself and your community.

10. Get your staff involved!
Facebook is an opportunity to connect with your in-person community online. Encourage your staff to fan the page, comment, and share information. If privacy is of concern, ask your staff use Facebook lists to protect their privacy or create a separate ‘work’ profile page to connect.

I would like to extend a big thanks to Kim Cory of University Village for sharing some of her strategies for success on Facebook! If you have additional ideas or if you know of a really unique Facebook page you would like to share, please feel free to do so in the comments below!

Tags: communication, facebook, internet marketing, social media