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Our client The Mulberry Tree who are florists in Leeds and their shop can be found in Guiseley have set a great example for businesses on how your Facebook page or profile should be used. The best bit is it does not cost a penny.

It should be remembered at all times that a Facebook profile or fan page is not a replacement of your small business website, but simply works as another way of promoting your business. The reason is that although many people use Facebook, you have to be a member and logged in to see the information you are looking for, and most people will not just join Facebook because they are looking for a business. However it is well worth promoting your business on Facebook.

I have posted articles about what not to do, having seen businesses post their latest offers over and over again on Facebook and never catch on why it is not working.

A classic business win win situation on the web

The Mulberry Tree being florists in Leeds, would freely admit they are new to Facebook. Catching on so quickly to the best way (and I honestly could not think of a better way) to promote their business on Facebook. Best of all, not a single penny paid for adverts, and no upsetting people by sending invites to people they do not know, and no upsetting people by “spamming” with copy and paste jobs of their latest offers. In fact, all of this and I have not seen an advert, yet what they have done is a hundred times better than an advert.

Flower photo featured on The Mulberry Tree Facebook Profile

Small business that attracts big names.

Why with no previous experience of Facebook, no reading book after book about Facebook and no marketing budget have they managed to do such a great job which would tick all the boxes on any Facebook marketing experts list? Well maybe it explains how good they are at running a business and why they are the choice of local celebrities such as Natalie Anderson from Emmerdale, and why their wedding flowers featured in Hello Magazine.

They have a great strategy of inviting people they have supplied and designed the flowers for to their profile (sometimes they do not even need to do that), this allows both parties to share photo’s of the wedding, with the use of “tagging”. We all know people love to look at wedding photo’s after the big day and The Mulberry Tree are happy to oblige by adding a few of their own via their Facebook Profile. Not only does this attract the people who got married to get involved by commenting and sharing photo’s but also tag The Mulberry Tree into photo’s too. Further spreading the word when other people comment and share these photo’s.

The Mulberry Tree are also regular at posting congratulations on their wall and the bride and groom’s about their wedding – which is a nice touch.

Flowers by The Mulberry Tree

Understanding marketing on the web is the key.

The trick to Facebook marketing is the understanding that promoting on the internet, especially social networks like Facebook and Twitter is completely different to the normal rules. You have to remember that people are very particular about being “spammed”, and barking out the same old things such as your latest offer and asking people to buy something via your Facebook profile will lose you friends and good will. In a short space of time The Mulberry Tree have grown their friends list to nearly 200.

The long term effects of Facebook marketing in action.

So considering how they have conducted their business on getting new friends on Facebook (being completely the honourable way) having nearly 200 friends already is quite an achievement. And they deserve the praise.

Consider this. If you see The Mulberry Tree on a friends profile who has recently got married, and you see the flowers they have provided, and how nice it is that they have taken the time to congratulate the bride and groom, chances are, you will remember it. So are you going to spend ages looking on Google for local florists if you are getting married when all you need to do is either head to the wedding photo’s and look for the link to The Mulberry Tree profile? If of course you have not already added them as a friend (we know some ladies like to plan in advance about their big day).

Which business will you choose?

And if someone asks you if you know anywhere that is great for wedding flowers you are more likely to say “My friends florist for her wedding are really good, you can have a look for yourself on Facebook”. Failing all of that on both counts there is always the old fashioned way that still leads to the same place. You could ASK your friend “What was the name of the florists that did your wedding”. See you do not even need to remember the name of The Mulberry Tree, you will remember all those photo’s and comments.

Another example of The Mulberry Tree wedding flowers

The important part to remember about the strategy is that it is long term and at The Mulberry Tree they are under no illusions. But by using Facebook in the way it was intended, the good will and at the same time showing off their work for all to see for themselves will start to pay off and continue to grow. I know Carol and Jenny are both dedicated to what they do, so the whole beauty of what they do is that it is because of a genuine love for what they do and enjoyment. Yet because they have been genuine on Facebook, they have gone about promoting their business on Facebook the right way and the best way.

So the moral of the story is that if you want to promote your business on Facebook, be genuine!

The Mulberry Tree’s Facebook Profile
The Mulberry Tree’s Website.
Call them on 01943 873569

For small business website designers that can help you get the best results from the internet, and offer ongoing support and advice. Call us on 01274 792006.