Today, most businesses market themselves online through at least one form of social media. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and even Tumblr are being utilized by businesses to provide information to their customers, gain potential customers, and to reach out to people in such a way that inspires business loyalty. It is not secret that using social media can greatly increase profits and exposure for a business—having a Twitter account, for example, allows businesses to notify customers about their product and store (such as new items, or store hours). It also allows them to interact with their customers, providing customer service and a level of personalization that is proven to rein people in, so to speak, and to increase the likelihood of their buying from that business.
It may come as a surprise that funeral homes are also taking advantage of social media. In the business world, funeral homes are considered to be something of a taboo subject—although everyone dies and funeral homes are an essential part of culture and society, they are not considered to be the “typical” business. After all, some people might think, what on Earth could a funeral home post about on their Facebook page? The answer to that is… plenty! With knowledge and the right amount of tact, funeral homes will have no trouble at all properly marketing themselves through the social media website Facebook. The following are some basic but important tips if you are looking to market their funeral home on Facebook—and not have the neighbors shaking their head.
Tip #1: Choose an appropriate profile image
Facebook profile images are the basic image that everyone sees when an account updates their Facebook. When your funeral home updates their Facebook, you don’t want people seeing something inappropriate. Anything that symbolizes death, dying or funerals is a definite no-go. That means that funeral directors shouldn’t even think about allowing their Facebook to be represented with a casket, skull, or anything that brings to mind death in such a stark way.
Tip #2: Use appropriate language
Talking about death and funerals online in a marketing sense is a tricky business. You must be careful not to overstep your boundaries and turn people off by sounding too much like you are trying to drum up business for your funeral home. Instead of trying to ham up the quality of a funeral home, provide customers with honest, positive information about your services—and let THEM do the marketing.
Tip #3: Keep customers updated, but not over saturated
It is important to keep your Facebook page updated with the latest information about your funeral home. Hours, services, community service, milestones and special events or discounts are all appropriate topics to post about on your funeral home webpage. However, avoid making the page too casual or informal—don’t allow employees to post about their “fun vacation from work!” for example. It’s important to keep the tone of a funeral home Facebook page polite and relatively formal.
