We know you are all dying to read the Facebook recap from this weekend’s brunch! This month’s brunch was packed with so much juicy info. So many people had great ideas to share on how to maximize using Facebook for your blog. For those of you that missed all the great info this recap has all you need to know! Thank you to all who joined us for brunch!

Q1: Why is it important to have a Facebook page for your blog? What are the advantages? 

@floralandfrayed: Facebook can be a great way for people who don’t regularly follow blogs or non-bloggers to connect and view updates.

‪@HitchDesign: Facebook is great for creating a more personal social platform with your readers.

@ParkerEtc: Facebook will hit the 1 Billion-user mark soon. It’s an easy way to maximize brand visibility and reach new readers.

@katelynbrooke88: Most people are always on Facebook. It’s a great opportunity to get to know your audience and remind them about your blog.

‪@PassageHill: It’s a way to be sure fresh content is always in front of your fans.

@17thandIrving: The average user spends 405 minutes on Facebook per month - good visibility where people are spending their time.

@cubicle57blog: I found it was important for me to start using Facebook so I can interact with companies on Facebook as my blog and not personal.

@mspinkandblue: My friend says, “I always click on stuff in my news feed, that’s now I get my news/blog updates.”

@Sandrat212: You can get some discussion going at a faster pace than in your comments section.

@HitchDesign: There is a whole unique audience that connects through Facebook. Almost everyone is on it.

‪@Djubilation: Facebook allows you to reach people who don’t follow blogs, but would appreciate your blog’s niche through quick posts and images.

@ParkerEtc: Facebook has it’s own analytics page called ‘Insights’, this gives you yet another peek into the data of your blog.

@pinkletandc: I have been creating albums with portfolio images or photos of projects.

@poppylindsay: I always make sure to post something interactive. Polls, Questions, & Thoughts of the day.

@cubicle57blog: I try to share what’s beyond my blog posts. Like if I have a post with a few images I’ll post the “rest” that didn’t make the post on Facebook.

Q2: Should you use Facebook different than Twitter? If so, how and why?

@17thandIrving: If you post the same thing in both places, people lose incentive to follow both.

@ParkerEtc: YES. They are different outlets with different reaches. Treat them that way. 140 characters is heard differently than a status update.

‪@sister_mag: Yes, we use it differently. Twitter is more for reaching out to new people, Facebook is more content-rich.

‪@Sandrat212: Twitter is fast banter - Facebook you can go back to it later and engage further. Once a tweet is out there, it’s gone.

@erinecurcio: They are both for getting the word out, but maybe twitter is the enticer and Facebook delivers the real “juice.”

@imbreannarose: You have the opportunity to be MORE visual with Facebook - take advantage of that.

‪@HitchDesign: Use twitter for little snippets and Facebook for a more in-depth part of your biz or blog.

@Sandrat212: Twitter is the cocktail party while Facebook is the dinner party.

@ParkerEtc: Be mindful of linking tweets to Facebook. Without proper planning, @mentions and URLs can feel spammy and overkill.

‪@sister_mag: Twitter is also great for reconnecting with people you met at conferences etc. - you don’t want to befriend everyone on Facebook!

‪@mspinkandblue: Yes, offer new content and phrase things different – offer a more in-depth look at your content, repetitive is uninteresting.

‪@ParkerEtc: As always, curation is KEY. Be cognizant of not overdoing it with cross platform integration, but see what works best where.

@HitchDesign: Put effort into your social media because what you put in you will get out!

@lalalovelythngs: Facebook is a great place to share more detail & share more of your personal voice.

Q3: Are there any effective ways to grow your following on Facebook?

MsPinkandBlue: Advertising and giveaways is MAJOR. With ads you can narrow down demographics; age, and interests.

Clothandkind: I have done ad campaigns on Facebook with great success. Specific targeting availability, I like to reach friends of current followers.

ParkerETC: A page with clearly defined, eye-catching custom tabs and interface has edge over those that don’t.

HitchDesign: You want to make sure it grows naturally or else all those followers will not be loyal or engaged.

PoppyLindsay: Making sure that you interact with your followers is a great way to grow. More interactions mean people are paying attention.

JessicaJPackard: Also, creating an “event” and inviting friends to the launch of your blog/business page was helpful for @WithLove_Design.

Djubilation: Use Facebook insights to see what your audience likes, what posts got the most shares, and what’s generating interest organically.

Thebootblog: The pages I’ve noticed that have high number of likes do a lot of mentioning and shout outing to other pages! Exponential exposure.

CaseeMarie: I also think Facebookers are using the share button more often, too. Catering content to that may help grow your audience.

ParkerEtc: It’s the same as your blog. Be consistent, curate your content, engage with readers & comments and keep it updated.

Erinecurcio: Sometimes it can be as simple as asking readers what they want to see more of. Your dedication in finding that = their loyalty.

ParkerEtc: It’s a social network! Remember engaging via comments & likes will have the same community building effect it does on blogs.

UrdirtyLaundry: I let people follow my Facebook page naturally. ½ of them are family, friends & co-workers anyway.

EliseOstermann: Create an engaged environment with creative content people will want to like/comment on.

ParkerEtc: Just like in the real world, building relationships with people on Facebook takes time and requires a long-term investment.

Q4: How do you creatively use Facebook to interact with readers?

ChevronSarah: Though I just started my page I plan to use it for both posts and unique content NOT featured on the blog.

MsPinkandBlue: Offer “extra” stuff not necessarily that you want to write a huge post about, but things you want to share or find interesting.

Orangenmond: I like asking my Facebook followers questions like “What should I bake this weekend?” (I write a food blog).

ParkerEtc: Link @Instagram to your Facebook. Strong visuals always get prompt interactions & comments & give definition to your brand.

ChristyHomeMom: My fans know I’m a giveaway junkie; I share tons of giveaways on twitter and a few on Facebook.

Erinecurico: Take advantage of any events that could bring you together.

Urdirtylaundry: I try to respond back to every comment or like it on my Facebook page. Seems like I “know” my regular readers. 

CieraHolzenthal: Posting images instead of just links to blog posts. Also some everyday photos that are just for fun!

EliseOstermann: We use it to ask our fans about themselves! We also use it to promote fans/colleagues to create a community.

Q5: Who do you follow that uses their Facebook well? What are they doing right?

@17thandIrving: I like @lorenhope ’s Facebook page. She posts sneak peeks of things she’s working on, engages with fans. 

@chevronsarah: @designsponge does a great job of provide unique but relevant content and articles on their Facebook page. 

@HitchDesign: @sycamorestreet does a good job giving a connection to her shop and utilizing the platform.

@katelynbrooke88: Essie does a great job generating discussion about nail polish, of all things. https://t.co/k3LbH4Lv

@floralandfrayed: @FreePeople is awesome!

@JessicaJPackard: @TheEverygirl_ is another page I really think uses their Facebook page well!

@JulieLeah: @MatchbookMag and @katespadeny both have great FB pgs. They update often and keep followers engaged.

@HitchDesign: @BeautifulHello @amandagenther great place for biz advice and design inspiration always good stuff!

@boutique1524: @inhonorofdesign adds a genuine, friendly and personal touch to Facebook posts, which is the proper tone for the platform.

@JessicaJPackard: @eliseostermann is absolutely wonderful at engaging and providing unique information to post on her #heysweetpea Facebook page!

@HitchDesign: @amandagenther is one of the best users as a blogger I have seen!

‪@mspinkandblue: @designlovefest @hitchdesign @birchbox @refinery29@scoutiegirl all have rockin’ Facebook pages!

@ParkerEtc: The @Refinery29 girls kill it, along with @_IFB who have great relevant content and articles, also @chevronseclairs!