More and more businesses are coming to realise the benefits of Facebook for getting in touch with their customers, managing relationships, testing new ideas, and driving sales.

But if you're new to Facebook, just how do you grow your business page to attract sufficient followers to do all this?  Here are 5 simple steps you can follow:

1.  Invite your Facebook profile friends

Your friends could be potential customers.  And the friends of your friends may well be too.  So make sure you tap into this existing contact list.  Click on the ‘suggest to friends' link underneath your page profile, and choose the friends you wish to send your business page details to.

2.  Use all your existing media

Traditionally, your letterheads, compliment slips, business cards etc will contain your email address and your telephone number.  But why not add your Facebook page URL to all your stationery items?  It will encourage people to come to your page.

3.  Add Interesting Content

Try to add something daily.  But don't just share content that has already been posted elsewhere.  Create videos, pull content from other websites, add your own blog posts.

4.  Train Fans to Advertise for You

Be sociable!  Engage in conversation with your existing fans to keep them interested.  Soon they will be talking about you to their friends too!  Ask your top friends to invite their own friends to your page.

5.  Set up a Fan Box on your website

Facebook has a tool which will create a ‘badge' or ‘like box' for your Facebook business page.  Just paste the HTML code the tool creates onto your website……and watch the ‘likes' increase!

6.  And finally…….

I know.  I said there were 5 tips!  But to really grow your Facebook page, and integrate it into your existing marketing campaigns……….hire a Social Media Manager!