We’re all aware of the fact that Facebook has become a social hub for many brands and companies, if not the most popular platform for social marketing. As more companies hop on the social media bandwagon, it becomes a constant struggle to cut the clutter that so often fills our news feeds. On the other side of the mirror, businesses (especially national brands with multiple locations) are battling efforts to maintain a non-annoying presence, while still trying to give their fans what they want. So what’s the solution?

It’s all about where you are. Foursquare, Gowalla & Twitter are all integrating features (if not entirely run on the concept) allowing your updates to be tracked to a specific location. This is great for both users and marketers because now, marketers are able to catch your eye with more relevant & real time promotions and you, as a consumer, can partake in all the discounts & free crap. RELEVANCE!

While Facebook hasn’t publicly released any information about integrating location based features, they already have a few tools available to help aim efforts to the right audience. (Click on image for larger view)

1. Targeted Status Updates

Navigate to your page’s wall. Below the status update text input box, there is an option to share with everyone or customize who you share with. Select Customize.

A modal will pop up in which you are able to drill down by country, state or city.

2. Targeted Messaging

Fan pages are able to send direct updates to fans which show up as a message in the recipients inbox. To send one of these updates for your fan page, navigate to Edit Page directly underneath your fan page profile photo. On the right side navigation under Promote on Facebook click on Send an Update to Fans. You will then be able to compose a message and specify the demographics of the fans you would like to send to.

3. Audience Insights

Another awesome feature Facebook offers is the ability to gain in-depth statistics on your audience. Page Insights may be found in the Edit Page section in the right side navigation. Here you will find valuable information on your fans such as interactions with your page and the most popular geographical locations of where they exist. Use these insights to predict where your marketing efforts will be most successful.