With more than 2.8 billion monthly users on Facebook, it is a lucrative platform for marketers. Facebook and other social networking sites have opened doors to several possibilities for small businesses.
However, businesses around the world are struggling with organic reach. Even with professional aid, getting organic reach is difficult. In such a scenario, Facebook boost posts come as a solution.
Boosting helps in targeting the right audience with a few clicks. You don’t even have to spend a hefty amount on it.
So, let’s get to know a bit more about Facebook boosted posts!
Image via Hootsuite
What is Facebook Post Boosting?
Facebook posts are content shared by users, which shows in your newsfeed. But with the help of a Facebook boost, you will be able to show your posts prominently to other users.
You will be able to show it to users in a specific location and/or having specific interests.
It means when you click on the ‘boost’ button, it will share your post to the target audience. Although, it is not free but you have the liberty to select your preferred audience.
For example, you own a beauty salon and are offering a 20% discount. In the settings, you may select the gender, age-group and location to target the right people. This will show the discount post in their newsfeed.
In this way, you can use the Facebook boost to promote a post with details of the offer.
How to do a Facebook Boost Post?
When you use the Facebook business tools for the first time, it may seem daunting. There are a lot of things. You have to select the right options. If you do any mistake at this stage, your investment may get wasted.
So, here we will share a simple way to do a Facebook boost post.
Before you start, you need to get a few things:
- Create your own Facebook page if you don’t have one.
- Ensure that the Page roles you have selected allow you to use the Facebook boost post.
Once you have got these things done, you may move on to the next.
Step 1: Open your Facebook page.
Step 2: Select the post that you wish to boost or promote.
Step 3: Click on ‘Boost Post’ which is on the bottom right corner.
Image via Hootsuite
Step 4: Insert all the data for the promotion.
Here are a few things you can select:
- Audience: You can select the audience type, the zone, and more. There are different categories according to various businesses. Try to refine your target audience by using interests.
For example, your store is in Brooklyn and you provide home delivery in the city. Then you may select the city as your audience.
Image via Facebook
- Budget: Facebook will recommend you a budget but you can customize it.
Image via Hootsuite
- Time: Facebook boost post runs for a fixed duration. You can choose a specific time to start and end the campaign.
Image via Hootsuite
- Payment: The last thing you need to do is review the payment method. You will have your own Facebook payment account. However, you may change your payment method
Step 5: After completion, click on BOOST.
Facebook allows you to promote your posts on Instagram. Facebook owns Instagram so, you will find an option to share the post on Instagram in Facebook. It is not necessary to own an Instagram account for promoting any post.
How to Optimize your Facebook Boost Post?
Facebook boost posts will help you increase engagement. However, for conversions you have put an extra effort. If you do not set your Facebook boost accurately, you may end up wasting your money.
It’s because the competition is too high on Facebook. Your offline competitor may be on Facebook as well. If they can deliver better Facebook posts with correct targeting, people engage with their content.
So, before you make your Facebook boost post, you need to know a thing or two about Facebook as well.
Facebook is still new to the promoting posts process. It is updating its algorithm often to help businesses grow. Sometimes, even if you select the right audience, Facebook may not find the ideal leads for you.
However, most of the time, it is not Facebook, but the post quality which fails to attract leads. If your post is not engaging, then chances are people will ignore it.
So here are a few tips you may use to optimize your Facebook boost post:
1. Plan your Campaign Goals in Advance
It is difficult to move forward without a proper strategy. So, you need to have a crystal clear idea about your Facebook boost post campaign. You will have to select the right goal on Facebook to achieve your campaign goal.
Here are a few goals options you will find:
- Get more website visitors
- Promote your page
- Get more messages
- Get more leads
- Get started with automated ads
Image via OptinMonster
You have to plan the goal because it will be your CTA. For example, your goal is to acquire more leads but, if you select ‘get more website visitors’ then you would not receive expected results. Also, your post must align with your CTA.
2. Study your Competitors
Facebook space is competitive. You need to be careful about your competitors from the first day. If you wish to be ahead, you must routinely keep an eye on their posts.
Facebook is transparent with their data. So, if you want details of any particular advertiser, you can look it up. All you have to do is click on Facebook Ad library.
Facebook Ad library will find ads according to category and country. You may also type in your competitor’s name and find which of their ads are running the longest.
You can then study their ads and make a better version.
3. Go for A/B Tests
A/B testing is one of the leading methods to find out which post will work efficiently. It is also called the split test. You can use this method for any content testing.
In the A/B test, you select two posts conveying the same message. With this, you will have two versions of the same post. Facebook also allows you to do multiple A/B tests. So, you can find the best and boost it.
The A/B testing method is the most used method for optimization.The market for A/B testing software is estimated to grow over $1.08 billion by 2025. (QY Research)
So, to do an A/B test, visit the Facebook Ads manager. Select the post you want to test. Then click more and select the A/B test. Alternatively, you may use Facebook experiments.
Image via OptinMonster
4. How to Select Post for Facebook Boost?
Your choice of post may not always get high engagement. So, you must let your audience decide which post should go for a boost.
The post with the highest engagement is the popular one. There are chances it will work better compared to others. So, try to boost it.
According to Socialbakers, live videos (39 median), images (14 median), and video (12 median) have higher organic reach. So, you need to use these as your posts.
Image via Socialbakers
Initially, you have to try to increase your organic reach. Live videos, videos, and images may help you with that.
So, first, go for organic posts, and then if it is required, use the Facebook boost post option. If you have to do a boost, try to use the content which has higher engagement. In this way, you can get the best out of your Facebook post.
5. Upload your Content at the Right Time
There are certain times and days when your posts may get better engagement. You have to find which time generates higher engagement. The engagement rate depends on the audience and the location.
For example, in Seattle, if you upload a post at 8 in the morning, it may work. However, the same cannot happen for London. You have to understand the lifestyle of people and experiment with different days and times.
Using the analytics will make things easier for you. You will understand when your posts are receiving higher engagement.
According to Sprout Social, the best time to upload on Facebook is Wednesday at 11 a.m and between 1 to 2 pm.
Image via Sprout Social
There are several ways to optimize your content. But there is no guarantee that every trick may work. You have to use the trial and error method to find what works.
6. Adjust the Ad Run Duration Accordingly
The duration for a Facebook boost post depends on your goals. You should try to test it for 3-4 days. After the experiment, you may review the data from the analytics to get an idea whether the boost worked.
If it is getting a good engagement you may go forward according to your budget and plan.
However, if your plan is only to spread awareness about something, then running at least 5 days is good. You can set the budget low and run it for a longer time.
The things will be different if you need to get conversions. So, use the analytics to get an idea about how things will work from next time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):-
- What is the cost of a Facebook boost post?
The cost will depend on the duration of the ad run. It starts from $1USD per day and depends on the audience you have selected. You may adjust the cost for the post using the slider.
- How long can you do a Facebook boost?
It depends on your post and the message you want to deliver. You can select the start and end date for the campaign.
- How long should you wait before hitting the boost button?
According to Jay Baer, you should wait for at least six hours. After that, if you wish, you may use the Facebook boost post option.
- Which is better – Facebook Ads or Facebook boost posts?
If you want to increase engagement then use Facebook boost posts. On the other hand, if you want conversions, then Facebook Ads is a better option. Facebook Ad gives you options to refine your target.
- Who gets to see the boosted content?
The audience who you have targeted in the settings will find the post in their newsfeed.
Ready to Try Facebook Boost Post Today?
Using Facebook boost is easy. All you need is a Facebook account, and you are good to go. You can directly click on the boost button on a post to get started. Later, you have to fill in data.
Facebook will take care of the rest.
However, if you want to get optimum results from the Facebook boost post, you will have to do optimization. There are technical and non-technical optimization methods. But even the non-technical methods like uploading at a definite time is more than enough.
If your post is of high quality, it will surely receive better engagement. So, make your Facebook Ads manager account and get started. Don’t forget to share details of your experience with us in the comment section.
I like the efforts you have put in this, thanks for all the great articles.