marketing

Facebook is fun.  It is my social media of choice these days.  Not only is it a fun way to keep in touch with old friends, but it’s also a great way to make new friends and business contacts and to keep them informed.  In all my years of exploring chat rooms, online forums, usenet newsgroups, etc., facebook is the first experience where I’ve actually built friendships and connections effortlessly.

One thing I haven’t delved into more deeply are the Facebook Fan Pages.  I’ve received many requests to join them but haven’t created my own.  After reading John Jantsch’s article, 5 Tips for Getting More from Facebook, I am reconsidering the importance.  It’s a quick overview of fan pages, why you should have one and some of the ways you can use them.  To that, I’d like to add a few thoughts on the whole Facebook experience as a business owner…

1.  Be social.
It’s called SOCIAL networking for a reason.  Have fun and let your personality show (for the most part).

2.  Remember why you’re there.
If you are intending to use Facebook (or any social media) for business purposes, remember that your customers and potential customers will be reading what you write.  I use the same rules as I do for blogging.  You can read them at my article, This Will Go on Your Permanent Record…Conducting Yourself On-line.

3.  Don’t SPAM.
If all you do is share your new auctions and sales (without doing the regular social part) you will soon be filtered out or de-friended.  There are already enough ads on web sites (facebook included).  If you are social in between the sharing of your business info, you will be better received.

4.   Don’t Fake it.
Learn how to be social in a natural way.  Don’t pretend to be social just so you can get your business links out there regularly.  People will see through it, just like they can see through it when they’re considering real relationships face to face.

5.  Content.  (This could be a whole post on its own).

a.  Watch your mouth.
This is a sticky one to talk about.  I just told you to be social and now I’m going to tell you to censor yourself.  That goes against my beliefs, however, for business purposes I have to throw it in.  If  you read the article referenced in #2 above you’ll see what I mean.

b.  Try not to be boring.
If you are using facebook for business purposes, don’t bore your reader.  Don’t post just to have something up there.   I say, when blogging, not to talk about the weather, your kids or how busy you are.  On facebook it is ok, but don’t overdo it.  If you need to talk about the weather, your kids or how busy you are…be creative.  Don’t just say “it’s d@mn hot here.”  Come up with a witty comparison.  It’s all too easy to skip over boring status updates.  If you are boring, soon your friends will scroll right past your name even if you start to be entertaining.

c.  Don’t pontificate.
At least, not in your status update.  Keep it short and simple.  There is plenty of time to elaborate and explain once you receive a comment or two.  Short updates can be intriguing and therefore will provoke people to comment.  That is the social aspect of it and you want people to engage!

d.  Share your info.
Of course.  That’s what we’re talking about here.  Share links to your blog posts but don’t overdo it.  Again, be wise in what you share and don’t spam your friends.  Link to the most important, informative posts.  If you are being social on facebook, your friends will already have a glimpse into your daily life.  If they want to know more of the personal details they will subscribe to your blog.

e.  Share other info.
Again, facebook is about being social.  Give your friends something interesting, and that doesn’t always mean only YOUR content.  If you come across a cool video or article, share it.  DON’T just link to news stories because they’re there.  Link to stuff that interests you and shows your interests.  Note here:  if you link to controversial info you could alienate half of your friend/customer base.

f.  Quizzes and Games.
These are fun to do but please, change your settings to not publish every easter egg you find, how many cows you herd or how high of a score you got on word frenzy.  People really don’t want to know.  Clutter up the news feeds and that is another way to get yourself filtered or de-friended.

Is that enough to get started?  What else would you like to know about?  Do you use social networking?  Drop me a comment and pass this post on to your friends or share it on facebook!

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