Hey everyone! Tina Blount here from Four Winds Marketing. You know how much I love helping businesses get seen online, and today we're tackling something super important on Facebook: the difference between likes and followers.
It might seem like they're the same thing, right? Someone "likes" your page, so they're probably following it. Well, not anymore! Facebook has changed, and understanding this is a total game-changer for getting your message out there.
The "Like": Kinda Like a Quick Thumbs-Up
Imagine you're walking down the hall at school, and someone gives you a quick thumbs-up. That's kind of similar to a "like" on Facebook. It means:
"Cool post!" They saw something specific they enjoyed, maybe a funny video or a picture of a cute puppy.
"I support this!" Maybe a friend told them about your page, and they clicked "like" to show some quick support.
"I sorta know you." They might not really be planning to check your page every day.
A "like" is nice, it really is! It shows some interest. But here's the kicker: just because someone likes your page doesn't mean Facebook will show them everything you post. It's just like that quick thumbs-up in the hall – they saw you that one time, but they're not necessarily planning to hang out every day.
The "Follow": Like Being Best Friends!
Now, a "follow" is a whole different ballgame. When someone "follows" your page, it's as if they're saying:
"YES! I want to see everything you post!" They actually want your updates to pop up in their Facebook feed.
"I'm super interested in what you do." They're not just giving a quick nod; they're actively subscribing to your content.
"Let's be friends and hang out often!" This is the person who wants to see you every day, not just give you a quick thumbs-up and walk away.
For businesses, having followers is way more important than just having likes. Why? Because Facebook's whole system (what we call the "algorithm") is designed to show people what they really want to see. And if someone chooses to "follow" you, that's a huge signal to Facebook that they're really into your content!
Why Followers Are the Real MVPs (Most Valuable Players)
Think about it this way:
You get seen more: When someone follows you, your posts are much more likely to show up in their news feed. That means more eyes on your awesome content!
People actually care: Followers are usually more interested in what you're saying, so they're more likely to comment, share, or even click on your website. That's real engagement!
Building a real crew: Instead of just a bunch of people who clicked "like" once, you're building a group of loyal fans who genuinely care about what you do.
Facebook has even changed things so that people can "like" a page without "following" it, or even "follow" a page without "liking" it. This just proves that following is the true sign of someone who wants to stick around.
How Four Winds Marketing Helps You Get More True Fans
At Four Winds Marketing, we don't just want you to get a bunch of random likes. We want to help you get people who genuinely follow you and become your biggest fans! Here's how we do it:
Making awesome stuff: We help you create posts that are so good, people can't help but want to follow you for more!
Getting people talking: We figure out how to make your posts spark conversations, so people comment and share, which tells Facebook, "Hey, this content is great!"
Finding your crowd: We help you figure out exactly who your ideal customers are so we can get your posts in front of the right people – the ones who will actually care and hit that "follow" button.
So, next time you're thinking about your Facebook page, remember: likes are nice, but followers are the true champions! They're the ones who will stick with you and help your business really shine.
Ready to turn those casual thumbs-ups into a loyal following? Give us a shout at Four Winds Marketing! We're here to help you rock your social media!