911 Small Business Marketing Help: Maximizing Facebook for ...

This is part 1 of Maximizing Facebook for Business. We are in an amazing time in history where we can tap into the power of social networks like Facebook to build our business.

But, how do you?do it in a professional manner??I'm sure you have seen others post update messages continuously about their product or opportunity so much that it turns you off. And you know if it turns you off that it is turning others off as well.

Here are?5 steps to get you closer to opening your network of influence?instead of closing it down.

Today we are going to talk about your PERSONAL PROFILE. Yes, if you have a business, ?you do need to maximize your personal profile. Before I discuss the steps... first and foremost you want to separate your personal and business. Facebook operates that a personal profile is just that. I've seen several businesses operate with a personal profile that it's unreal. FIRST off it will hurt your business. Secondly, Facebook has the right to shut your profile down if you use it incorrectly.

Now, on to personal profiles...

Your business is an extension of who you are. Most of your family and friends want to support your business venture. So let's get the most out of this great social tool.

1 - Make sure your profile is up to snuff

Your goal is have people?know, like and trust you. You should have pictures of you being happy. You want to set a positive image for yourself. Your profile picture should be friendly and professional looking. Don't change it too much. It is like your logo. It shows up anytime you post something. Be dressed in colors that complement you. It is ok to have your spouse in your picture if you are worried about weird folks stalking you.

One of my accountability partners has a picture of him kissing his wife as his. He is networking online with a lot of other ladies. This sends a clear message that he is happily taken. Another very attractive lady and business leader has a studio shot of her and her husband. She is in the public eye a lot and wants to send a clear message that she is happy married. That is ok (for Facebook not LinkedIn though). Not ideal... but ok if you are worried about it.

2 - Check out your header image

Change your header image to reflect you and things you are working on. If you have a special company event coming up... feel free to change your header to reflect the city you are going to. This summer I posted a bucket list of things we were going to do. At holiday time you can post something to reflect the holidays. Feel free to put text into your photo if it will benefit. Examples include a quote or well wishes. If you do put words in your header, keep it simple. It should never be a?blatant?advertisement though.

3 - Maximize your job space

Make sure your ?job? under your profile picture shows your business and is viewable by others searching you out. To fix that, click on About. Then click Edit under Work and Education. You want the link to go to your Business Facebook page. It might auto populate the page when you start typing the page name. Otherwise you might need to use the actual website address. If you need help here, email me. In the description box you can add website addresses without the http://. Just remember these will not show on your profile page. These only show on your About page.

4 - Double check who can see your profile

You also might need to adjust your privacy settings on who can find you or message you. You don't want a possible customer who has gone through the trouble to look you up not be able to message or contact you. To adjust, go to the upper right of your screen to the down pointing triangle and click on it. Click on privacy settings.

5 - Keep it talking

Now on to activity. You want to post about 50% personal and 50% business or 75% personal and 25% business. You want to share great, wonderful things. Never rant or post controversial things. In my opinion, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Sometime things get misunderstood or taken out of context super quick.

So for the 50-25% of business related posts... you want to make it appeal to a wide audience. I personally only post about 25-10% business related. I don't want people to unfriend or hide me due to my posts. I keep them generic. When folks like, comment or share on posts I know they are reading my stuff. I'll either comment back to them or I will private message them to engage in a conversation. Also you can see who is online by having the Chat turned on. My goal is to have business conversations either on my business Facebook page or in private messages... hardly ever on my personal page.

Next time I will discuss Facebook business pages and groups as well as finding folks to connect with, so stay tuned.

PS. If you are reading this post in 2013... be sure to join us for our Business Accountability Challenge. Read more about it here. It's never too late to jump in!

About Elian Evans

I am a WAHM who helps small business owners maximize their online presence with their websites and social media. I offer coaching services and some design work. You can follow me here or on Facebook. I like to blog, read, sometimes cook, and sometimes craft. I am a supporter of the local food movement (you can find my other major project here). I'd love to hear from you. Connect with me on Facebook!

Source: http://www.911smallbusinessmarketing.com/2013/01/maximizing-facebook-for-business-part-1.html

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