Have you recently spent a lot of time and money on creating a custom Facebook page? Are you disappointed with the lack of response your page is getting? Well, you are not alone.
Today, thousands of small business owners who have created custom Facebook pages to build their brand are feeling the same.
As the number of custom Facebook pages a user can join is limited to 500, users will need a strong reason to join your fan page.
Getting them to connect can be quite a daunting task.
Don't fret; here are five easy to follow tips on how you can increase your fan count.

1. Invite Friends: If you have an opt-in subscriber list, you can send out an email or newsletter to your readers telling them about your new Facebook business page.
   As these people are already fans of your company, they are sure to 'Like' your fan page, especially if you have a contest or promotional offer going.
   Small entrepreneurs may also use the 'Suggest to Friends' feature on their personal profile, to let their friends know about their small business Facebook pages.
   
2. Get Users to Tag Photos and Videos: If your company has hosted or participated in a popular event, be sure to post some photos and videos of that happening on your Facebook business page.
   Then, inform your fans that new photos/ videos have been uploaded.
   When people view images of themselves or their friends, they are sure to tag them, providing free exposure to your custom Facebook page.
   
3. Place Facebook Ads: An easy way to get targeted traffic with a small budget is to use the 'Advertise' feature on Facebook, to link to your fan page.
   Just click on the 'Create an Ad' button, to design your advertisement and specify your target group.
   Your ads will show up with a 'Like' icon, on the profile pages of matched users.
   When members hit this icon, a status update is sent to all their friends showing their social endorsement of your Facebook business page.
   
4. Don't Forget Other Media: You can display information about small business Facebook pages on office stationary such as business cards and letterheads, as well as on printed material like newsletters, brochures, menus or bumper stickers.
   If your company has a physical office, you can put up a poster or placard to let your visiting clients know you are on Facebook.
   
5. Attractive Landing Page: The default landing page for custom Facebook pages is the Wall, which displays user comments, over which you have no control.
   Don't let your first time visitors land here.
   A great way to convert curious visitors to fans, is to design a striking Welcome page that will win them over.
   This page should explain what your company is all about, and why people should join up.
   You could use interesting photos, videos and slogans to draw the attention of people, and push them to click the 'Like' icon.
   

Also, make sure you update content regularly, and inform your fans about it.
No one wants to be a member of an inactive group where their voice will not be heard.
Notify your users about contests, discounts and other promotional offers, so that they can take advantage of them in time.
Let your members express themselves on your Wall, for genuine feedback about your products and services.
Your customers should know that this is where they have to go to get heard.
This commenting and online interaction is quite viral, and together with the above five tips, increases the exposure of small business Facebook pages dramatically.