When it comes to Facebook, small business owners may soon have a new incentive to operate on the site.
Targeting an estimated 9 million member entrepreneurs, the company will announce a plan this week to offer $50 in free Facebook advertising to 200,000 small businesses.
As with all freebies, there are some things--both legal and not--that you should consider before signing up.
1. Your Customer Base
If your answers are a resounding "no" to the following questions, the offer is probably not worth the hassle.
- Are your customers on Facebook?
- If so, do you interact with them on the site?
- Would you benefit from Facebook advertising?
2. The Contract
Read carefully, as many free deals aren't so free after all.
- Are there any conditions to receiving the free Facebook ads?
- What if you already pay for Facebook ads?
- Are you locked in for a specified period or amount?
- Are there automatic charges once the $50 is gone?
- If so, when must you cancel your ad account?
3. The $50
Be sure to find out just how far $50 goes--the time you put into the project may prove to be more valuable.
- Are ads calculated on a cost-per-impression or cost-per-click basis?
- What is the base rate?
- How many people will be reached?
- Can you target the ad by location, age, gender, education, interests, etc.?
- How long do you have to use it?
To sum up the above, before your sign up for Facebook small business ads, you need to do your homework.
Related Resources:
- Facebook finally takes small business advertising seriously. Does it matter? (Business Insider)
- New FTC Online Advertising Rules Coming (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
- 'Fake News' Crackdown: Avoid Deceptive Claims (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
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