Why are so many companies setting up facebook pages?

Because it works for them. It’s a free/inexpensive form of advertising.

Marketing and advertising. You have to use multiple avenues to reach people, not just radio and TV.

One word: Advertising.

Many company Facebook pages offer deals and coupons which explains why people sign up.

As to why they are on Facebook in the first place, it is a good place to allow them to touch their customers directly.

Some companies do it as a way to advertise. Other companies do it because other companies are doing it, and they don’t want to be the only ones without a facebook page, even if they have nothing to gain from it.

I personally know of two restaurants in my city that stopped all newspaper ads and use Facebook in place of any print ads. The reason given by one owner, I know, is faster contact with interested customers and feedback on FB from the customers.

It’s free advertising, as has been said, and they get access to the information of everyone who “likes” them on Facebook. Valuable stuff, that is.

I understand about the free marketing and all that but I also think it gets ridiculous. “Follow us on Twitter!” “Join us on Facebook!”

Listen, the only relationship I want with my peanut butter is for it to lie quietly on bread until I eat it. I don’t want to befriend it and I don’t give 2 shits about its status updates.

@Blueroses What relationship do you want with your whipped cream?

whipped cream can be much more interactive.

I subscribe to local restaraunts because they give out coupons. They want subscribers so they don’t have to pay for proper advertising. Seems fair to me.