If you're going to be online, Facebook is a good place to start.
All things considered, you’d be hard pressed for a reason not to get involved with Facebook. This most popular of social media at last count had 300 million active users, a figure that’s growing every day. More than half of these users log on at least once a day, and most are 25 years of age or over. Best of all, Facebook is free.
Facebook, like all social media, has an in-built search engine. It’s also indexed by Google, which puts its content into the public domain. So here, as in all online media, it pays to work the keywords relevant to your brand or business.
Creating a Facebook Personal Profile
Your personal profile is where you showcase yourself as the face of your business. Think of Richard Branson and what you know about him, which photos he makes public.
Be honest about who you are, but keep what you pass on professional. The personal information, as we said, is the sort of thing you would pass on at a networking event or over a coffee. Remember, anything you post on Facebook is forever. It is also subject to the same laws that govern all publications.
When you input your education and work history, tell a story about how you’ve got to where you are. Let your personality shine through, and entertain a little. You can save the full details for somewhere like LinkedIn.
The most important thing to do with Facebook is to ‘friend’ the people you meet offline. It’s a great way to continue the conversation and find out whether or not you could work with them in future, or if they are people you would recommend to your clients.
Your Facebook Profile is the place to trumpet your successes and demonstrate your personal expertise through thoughtful updates.
Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups are set up based on issues and interests. They are, in other words, a forum.
To get you started on Facebook Groups, try searching for a group with interests that you share (a good way to collect friends) and problems you can solve (great for demonstrating your expertise).
You can even start your own Facebook Group if there isn’t one appropriate to what you do. This is a great way to establish yourself as a leader in your area of expertise.
Just remember, this is social media – so no hard selling. If you do your job well, you’ll give them a reason to subscribe to your message.
Facebook Pages
Facebook Pages are for brands and businesses. This is your place to create a community of current and potential clients, and collaborators.
Facebook Pages have a lot of great features. For example, you can post blogs (into Notes), videos and photos of your business successes. You can also create events and invite your Facebook community along. This is great for launches, giveaways and sales, amongst others.
Don’t forget to let everyone know where you are online by putting the relevant urls in your email signature line, on your website (you can get clickable icons that will take visitors through) and on your business card.
Questions? Comments? Love it? You know what to do.
