I have a lot of people ask me on a regular basis how to generate fans for their Facebook Fan pages. There literally seems to be new pages cropping up daily on my own favored topics and industries, so I have no doubt that other niches are booming as well. Sometimes, the simplest way to build a 100% organic Facebook fan page following is to literally ‘do the time’ when it comes to sitting down, fan page loaded up, and looking for followers.
Those who do not have that option can likely find a virtual assistant to do the job for them for minimal fees per hour spent cultivating followers. While many continue to use a variety of methods to build Fanpages there is really only one way to do so organically, and without the assistance of any paid tools, that will help you collect the most relevant followers to your industry or niche.
Start with Your Friends
When you create a new Fanpage. Always start with your own friends. Extend to them a plea to join and support your page while you get it up and running. Doing so gives you two distinct advantages.
- Builds Your Fan base / Follower Numbers
- Shows Others that Your Page is Frequented
Why is it so important to show others that your page already has a following? Because as I stated above, new Fanpages are created almost by the minute. Users have grown used to receiving invites from all over the Facebook world on just about every topic, industry, or niche. When you begin farming for relevant fans and followers, it is beneficial for them to see the page already has others who are following, as well as status updates, interesting content, and interactivity.
Go Fishing for Followers
There are a few ways to fish for followers. However, it is always important to maintain a level of etiquette when it comes to cultivating your followers from similar sites and pages. Some of the ways in which you can achieve the most relevant followers for your industry include:
Use your page to “Like” like-minded pages. When doing so, take the time to leave a post on the wall of the page you “Liked” sharing that you are in the same industry and now sharing their Fanpage link on your own Fanpage. Once you have a few Fanpages “Liked” from your own, you will also be allowed to set up a list of the top Fanpages. Try to list your top 5 as the top 5 with the most fans and followers as well.
Comment on like-minded pages. This one can get more complicated. Many pages have a list of guidelines in their introductions or notes. Be sure to check the pages you are considering commenting on before you do. If any of the rules or guidelines insist that other “Pages” not comment, but personal accounts are allowed to, than don’t comment there. You want to build a good, 
communicable reputation, not an intrusive one. However, on the pages where you are free to comment or share, feel free to do so. Try to provide top-notch and high-quality content or replies and slowly begin to generate a reputation of being a reliable source.
Like Personal Comments. Often you can do this even on pages that do not allow other Fanpages to participate. Regardless, when follower fishing, take the time to “Like” user comments that relate to your industry. Use your creative mind here as well. If you are marketing a new cleaning product, you might also want to “Like” the comments of those who have listed interests in competitors products. Get interactive with them if they initiate conversation.
As your working knowledge on Facebook fan pages increases and you begin to notice which type of interactivity seems to bring you the most return page “Likes” you will be able to more regularly expect increases.
Do you have an organic method for fan fishing that isn’t listed here? Please feel free to share!
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