Content is king. So is value.

If you’re committed to putting out quality content that is valuable to your audience, they’ll want to follow you and engage with you online. By spending the time and effort to create valuable content which your target audience appreciates, consistently over a period of time, you’re doing a good job.

When you would like to ask something of your audience, they’ll not mind giving back IF you’ve given them value first.

Why are Facebook page likes important?

Many consider “likes” a soft metric – and I agree to an extent. How many people like your posts or photos or videos are not that telling. However, if the right people, your target audience, like and follow your business page on Facebook, they’re essentially opting in to receive your content. They’re putting their hands up and choosing to be a part of your audience. If these are the right people, your engagement will also grow in tandem with your follower base and so will your business.

The path to success isn’t a sprint

Once you’ve found your cadence and have been putting out interesting and valuable, original and curated content for a while, you’re entitled to ask for something in return. If you’ve posted your content in all the right places, for example, if you’re a bike shop owner, spend time in mountain biking “buy and sell” groups on Facebook, post in those groups and ask the members to like your page. If you have provided enough value, over enough time, they will.

This takes time. Think about how long it took you to build trust in some of your favourite brands – a car, phone or washing powder? Months? Years? Trust is earned, so be patient.

Not found your niche?

Spend time in the “interest” based places which are relevant to your product or service – business groups, sports groups, technology forums. Then engage – comment, post, like and share. Add your own value and expertise to the mix. Your audience will get to know you. They’ll develop a sense of comfort and trust – and they’ll reciprocate.

Give value first, way more value than what you ask in return.

If you follow this recipe, you’ll reap the long term rewards. Be patient. Give, give, give. Then don’t be scared to ask. If you truly have a relationship with your audience, it’ll be a give and take one.