The following is part of our series on different ways you can use Facebook to connect with public figures, businesses and organizations around the world.
Whether you're in your hometown or on a holiday in a favorite vacation spot, it's easy to stay updated on all of your favorite local businesses on Facebook. From restaurants and clothing boutiques to cinemas and nightclubs, my friends and I are regularly connecting to the Facebook Pages of local businesses to find out about deals, learn about new offerings and share feedback.
Before heading out to shop, you can check the Pages of your neighborhood stores for updates on sales and special events. During the holidays, my friend Morin saw IBISS Boutique of Santa Clara, Calif., post the hours of their pre-Christmas sale. She headed over and finished her gift shopping—at 60 percent off.
On lazy Sunday nights, I like to grab a pizza. One of my favorites is Zachary's Chicago Pizza in Oakland, Calif. By posting awards and accolades to its Facebook Page, Zachary's reminds fans like me that it has some of the best pizza in the Bay Area and entices me to order.
Facebook Pages are also useful when you're hitting the road. Before going somewhere, it's easy to check the Pages of your friends who live in the city where you're visiting. From their profiles, you can view the Pages they're a fan of under the "Info" tab.
For instance, a trip to Austin, Texas, isn't complete for me without a stop at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which shares information about their "quote-along" screenings with fans and surveys them about what they'd like to watch. I learned about the theater when my friend Meagan shared their Page with me on Facebook.
As an avid skier, I spend every winter tracking snow conditions at my favorite resorts like Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, Calif., before heading to the slopes. Squaw Valley uses Facebook for iPhone to share weather forecasts, terrain updates and even discount codes. By subscribing via SMS, I receive their latest news on my mobile phone. Even the comments from other Facebook fans help add more detail about what to expect from the snow.
If I can't bring my dog with me to Tahoe, she can still have some cuddly company at Shamrock Ranch Kennels in Pacifica, Calif.--as you can see from the kennel's Facebook photos.
Summer travel might mean a trip to Las Vegas, where I can see nightspot Tao reminding revelers like me that they can simply text "fan tao" to 32665 in order to connect with its Facebook Page. For any local business you love that has a Facebook username such as "www.facebook.com/[mybusiness]", you can text "fan [mybusiness]" to 32665 (FBOOK) to become a fan of that business' Page.
Look for your local favorites on Facebook and become their fan to stay updated with them. If you own a local business, it's free and easy to create a Page for it. You can learn about more ways to use Facebook Pages by becoming a fan of Facebook Pages for more updates.
Jon, a Facebook product marketing associate for ads, is checking upcoming shows at the Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club.
Whether you're in your hometown or on a holiday in a favorite vacation spot, it's easy to stay updated on all of your favorite local businesses on Facebook. From restaurants and clothing boutiques to cinemas and nightclubs, my friends and I are regularly connecting to the Facebook Pages of local businesses to find out about deals, learn about new offerings and share feedback.
Close to Home
Before heading out to shop, you can check the Pages of your neighborhood stores for updates on sales and special events. During the holidays, my friend Morin saw IBISS Boutique of Santa Clara, Calif., post the hours of their pre-Christmas sale. She headed over and finished her gift shopping—at 60 percent off.
On lazy Sunday nights, I like to grab a pizza. One of my favorites is Zachary's Chicago Pizza in Oakland, Calif. By posting awards and accolades to its Facebook Page, Zachary's reminds fans like me that it has some of the best pizza in the Bay Area and entices me to order.
Local Experts on the Road
Facebook Pages are also useful when you're hitting the road. Before going somewhere, it's easy to check the Pages of your friends who live in the city where you're visiting. From their profiles, you can view the Pages they're a fan of under the "Info" tab.
For instance, a trip to Austin, Texas, isn't complete for me without a stop at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which shares information about their "quote-along" screenings with fans and surveys them about what they'd like to watch. I learned about the theater when my friend Meagan shared their Page with me on Facebook.
As an avid skier, I spend every winter tracking snow conditions at my favorite resorts like Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, Calif., before heading to the slopes. Squaw Valley uses Facebook for iPhone to share weather forecasts, terrain updates and even discount codes. By subscribing via SMS, I receive their latest news on my mobile phone. Even the comments from other Facebook fans help add more detail about what to expect from the snow.
If I can't bring my dog with me to Tahoe, she can still have some cuddly company at Shamrock Ranch Kennels in Pacifica, Calif.--as you can see from the kennel's Facebook photos.
Summer travel might mean a trip to Las Vegas, where I can see nightspot Tao reminding revelers like me that they can simply text "fan tao" to 32665 in order to connect with its Facebook Page. For any local business you love that has a Facebook username such as "www.facebook.com/[mybusiness]", you can text "fan [mybusiness]" to 32665 (FBOOK) to become a fan of that business' Page.
Look for your local favorites on Facebook and become their fan to stay updated with them. If you own a local business, it's free and easy to create a Page for it. You can learn about more ways to use Facebook Pages by becoming a fan of Facebook Pages for more updates.
Jon, a Facebook product marketing associate for ads, is checking upcoming shows at the Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club.