So you built a Facebook fan page.. now what?

Getting the word out about your page is essential. But what happens once someone actually gets to your page? If you’re not providing interesting content, it’s likely they won’t be back.

Whether it’s for your corporation or just for fun, you can use these creative ideas to grow your Facebook fans, attract loyal readers, increase participation and up your consumer brand awareness.

Below I’ve organized the latest tips and tricks:

#1: Do something interesting..fast.

The landing page of your Facebook page is your best opportunity to grab a viewer’s attention and entice them to explore further.

Take Skittles, for example. The colorful and fun video app on their front page allows you to “Holla at the Rainbow.” Through the interactive phone, you can place a call to the rainbow via one of their pre-recorded voices.

On a less expensive note, they also change the status on their fan page frequently and usually the message is pretty hilarious. At the time of this post it reads: “The Rainbow wonders what plastic pumpkins use to collect their Halloween candy.”

* Note – Before you build your custom content, you’ll want to know about the new changes to Facebook fan pages that will launch in January of 2010. They will have a direct impact on any of the content your company creates for its fan page.

#2: Give them something free.

Whether it’s a coupon or something larger, there’s nothing like the promise of gratis goodies to keep consumers coming back.

Our client, The San Diego Museum of Art gives away tickets regularly for correct answers to art questions they post on their page. And Buzztime, the popular trivia company (also our client), frequently holds facebook contests and offers prize packs for correct answers to themed trivia questions centering around sports, books (like Twilight) and more.

Little Debbie, who initially launched their page with low response, launched a sweepstakes for a free Smart car (with the option to become a fan) via Facebook ads. Within 12 hours, their fan base had climbed from 5,000 to 125,000.

#3: Find your voice.

Facebook is a great place to have some fun with your brand.

In fact, Aflac has created a page specifically for their loveable duck mascot. And you won’t just find pictures of him. Here the duck voices his opinion on everything from candy to turtlenecks, shares his favorite videos and encourages participation in Aflac Facebook contests. He’s so entertaining that he has 162,000 more fans than Aflac’s corporate page even though a lot of the content is actually the same.

TGI Fridays has their own spokesperson exclusively on Facebook. Meet “Woody,” the guy who reportedly made a bet with TGI Friday’s that he could get 500,00 fans by Sept 30th in exchange for free burgers for all of them. He encourages consumers to be his Facebook fan (via web banners and TV spots) in return for free food coupons dolled-out over the social network site.

#4: Interact with and encourage fans.

Some of the biggest corporate fan pages weren’t started by companies, but by enthusiastic fans themselves. Coke and Fig Newtons fan pages both have pages that were started by fans. And Jamba Juice’s fan page was begun by an enthusiastic employee.

In all these cases, not only did the companies not take these sites down, but encouraged those who started them to keep them going with company backing.

#5: Give them a reason to come back for more.

Free stuff isn’t the only way to draw users to your page. Regular, entertaining content is one of the best ways to keep users coming back.

On the Food Network page, fans can download a widget that serves them a recipe of the day each day and even ask their favorite Food Network stars questions and have them answered.. right on the page!

And on our very own Facebook page, Bailey Gardiner keeps readers entertained with weekly inspirational quotes. We also showcase our latest client work and post the latest pictures of our clients sitting on our famous orange couch.

For even more great examples of how to market your Facebook fan page, check out our own Callan Green’s Mashable post and the latest from Adweek.