For some time now, Facebook™ rewards the most active members on pages with the Top Fan badge. This badge appears above the user name. For Facebook™ page managers, there is a special section in the Settings area where they can see the list of top fans. This recognition is valuable both for the users and for you, as page owner.
What Is the Role of Top Fans in Your Facebook™ Marketing Strategy?
First of all, we will talk about how someone gets a Top Fan badge. This type of recognition is available for pages that have at least 10,000 followers. A top fan is someone who has consistently interacted with your post throughout the week: likes, comments, shares and tags.
Thus, Top Fan badges are granted and reconfirmed on a weekly basis. And you should do your best to encourage top fans to maintain their status as well as get more followers to become top fans. The reason for this is simple: top fans almost equal to qualified leads. They are very well acquainted with your business and trust your products and services.
Also, many top fans on your Facebook™ page have already made a purchase from you and have a high potential to become long term loyal customers.
These being said, here are some simple and effective ways to nurture top fans on Facebook™:
1. Give Them Public Recognition
Every once in a while, you should share a post in which you thank your top fans and name them. Everyone loves a moment in the spotlight and this simple recognition is sufficient enticement for many to continue being active on your page.
At specific intervals, offer a small reward to your top fans, as well. It can be a small discount code, early access to a new product or a freebie (video tutorial, ebook, etc.).
2. Target Top Fans with Facebook™ Ads
Facebook™ now allows you to select top fans of your page as ad audience. This is something you should take advantage of. After all, you do not want to create a rift between your followers by posting publicly about a special offer just for your top fans.
However, with a Facebook™ ad campaign targeted at top fans, you can give them a sweet deal in exchange for their loyalty while keeping peace on your page.
3. Offer Incentives for New Top Fans
The Settings section of your Facebook™ page allows you to see not only the names of your top fans, but also for how long they’ve held the distinction. You should give special attention to new top fans – those who have got the badge during the last 1-2 weeks.
Give them the sense that they are now in a special club where they can enjoy various benefits. Encourage them to become your brand ambassadors and to recommend your products and services to their friends. With a simple referral program, you can offer them a valuable incentive to do so.
4. Share Their Success Stories
As we mentioned above, the top fans on your Facebook™ page are likely your customers, as well. In this case, you should approach a few of them and ask them to be featured on your page in a short video.
Ask them to say how they found out about your business, how they feel about your products and what motivates them to continue buying from you. This is a win-win situation. The top fan gets attention and a little internet fame, and you get a valuable customer testimonial.
5. Encourage Other Followers to Become Top Fans
Every once in a while, consider creating a small contest. For instance, the first follower of the week who gets a Top Fan badge for the first time ever receives a small reward. It is something like a welcome gift to the premium customers club used in other marketing strategies.
People love getting prizes. They also love feeling special. Thus, you won’t have to work very hard to convince them to join the contest and increase their activity on your page.