So, you have created a Facebook page, a presence for your business on Facebook, now what?

The worst thing you can do is setup your blog and twitter to import and feed content to the page and then never visit or pay attention to it.  If you want people to engage on the page, you need to have a presence there as well.  Here are 5 tips to help you keep on top of your page and build a community revolved around your brand:

Aim to post updates 2 to 3 times a day to keep content fresh on the wall. This practice avoids stale or now new content which will not encourage users to return to a page. Posting too many updates may annoy your audience and result in people who have joined your page opting out of your updates.

Your page updates should ideally be posted when most people are checking their Facebook accounts. Most research shows that posts are more effective during the week when people are normally checking Facebook (first thing in the morning, just before or after lunch and in the evening).

Try to engage as much as possible. Ask questions in your updates, post information, news or links that the audience will comment on and share. Comments are what you are looking for as opposed to hitting the ‘like’ button as these take more of a time investment from the user. The viral marketing benefit is that when a person comments on a page, it gets broadcasted to their friends through their own news feeds. More people see it and your page name along with it.

Watches the content posted on your wall and if it is inappropriate, delete it. That is your prerogative as the page owner. Always try to acknowledge comments posted on the wall, if people feel you are ignoring them, they will not continue to participate with your brand.

Facebook offers a more informal landscape than traditional media, so your communication may be more personal as well. Keep a good balance between promotional updates and offers with conversation. Facebook pages are intended to allow for two-way communication – don’t use your Facebook Page solely for promotions.

By Kathy Coliacovo