Facebook offers free tips to local businesses

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Local business owners and operators seeking a boost on social media picked up some valuable tips at a Facebook session in Northwest Fresno on Friday.

The free event was designed to help business owners expand their customer base. Many weren't sure how to use Facebook to grow their business.

The message from Facebook small business program manager Bess Yount was simple, "Understanding your voice, your personality as a business so that people can get to know not just your business but get to know you. When you can actually build that connection with your customers that is authentic and organic that's when you can have the most success on Facebook."

Random photos often generate a buzz on social media.

Bret Engelman of Engelmann Cellars explained, "We put up a windmill few years ago in the back of the park. It was so funny once that windmill went up we saw it all over Facebook. Every Friday night people are taking sunset photos of that windmill."

Local business owners and managers served on a panel to talk about what works for them.

Shaun Lichti from Chosen Frozen Yogurt said, "Some of the most effective things we do are spontaneous. You can't sit there and dream it up. I tell all our employees if you see something like that take pictures, text them to me, email them, tell me what happened. I'll post them."

Many were surprised to see how Facebook can help market a business.

Vickie Goudreau of Innovation Commercial Flooring said, "It's bigger than what I thought. I brought my admin assistant who is a young professional and so she's going to mentor me in all of this."

The crowd was estimated at 500 people.

Republican Congressman Devin Nunes of Tulare said, "I'm actually shocked by the turnout. This is a huge event. There's hundreds and hundreds of people here so this is exciting because it shows people want to be entrepreneurial."

The Facebook session was sponsored by the Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce.