Facebook Business Page Marketing Tips: 15 Essentials You Need To Know
Facebook Business Page Strategy: Marketing Guide For Small Business
The Importance of Marketing Your Business on Facebook
Did someone tell you to create a business page as a company strategy on Facebook?
Did you listen to them?
If not, consider all of the millions of people who log onto Facebook every day.
At this point, Facebook users represent a huge segment of the purchasing market.
Think about it: do you have a Facebook page?
Do the people in your family?
What about your friends?
When you want to find out more about a particular company, where do you go?
You Google their name, and that leads you to their website if they have one.
But when you want to know about upcoming events that this company might be participating in, where do you head?
Facebook, of course.
Company reviews, as well, are more likely found on Facebook.
So when you want to hear what other people are saying about a particular business, you peek at their Facebook business page and you look for comments and reviews that their customers have left.
If you know that other people have business pages on Facebook, why are you waiting to get your company out there and visible on Facebook as well?
Here are a few more reasons to use Facebook's business page feature to help you gain online exposure for your company.
Facebook has a very active, viral and local component.
This is important if you do business at a physical location.
People from your community are very likely to support you as a business owner if you cultivate an active and positive presence on Facebook.
That handy little Share button is a beautiful thing when it comes to spreading the word about your business.
You can use Facebook to attract your exact customer.
How would you do this?
Simply by creating a discussion group on Facebook that you moderate, which speak to the problems that you solve for your target audience.
So if you run a spa, then you could create and moderate a Facebook group for people who want to talk about self care.
Every time something exciting is happening, it's shared on Facebook.
So the more you become involved with community events, the more likely your business is going to get noticed and respected via Facebook.
Why Get a Business Facebook Page
You may wonder why it's necessary, when you already have or plan to get a website, you would also need a Facebook page for your business.
Does being active on social media really help to bring you more business online?
Or is this just another excuse to keep you occupied with clicking and liking all day?
First, it's because you are technically, by the rules, not permitted to run your personal Facebook profile as though it was your business.
Your name on your personal profile should be your actual name, and not a business name.
Think about it: you share pictures of your family, funny jokes, personal updates, and everything else via your Facebook profile.
The next reason why a Facebook business page should be something you develop as part of your online business persona is because you can function as a separate entity there.
If you wanted to, you could post in a group "as your business," and not as your personal profile.
This holds appeal for many reasons, but the two most important are that doing this will push your brand out farther AND you won't have to worry about privacy conflicts when posting on Facebook as a business entity.
A Facebook business page can help you get more traffic to your website, signups to your mailing list, and sales.
This works because we are now able to place a relatively low-cost ad on Facebook that speaks directly to your target audience.
You have the capability to define the type of person who sees your ad in the corner where it says "sponsored," by specifying the habits and attitudes of the audience before you publish the ad. This is huge.
Your Facebook business page has all kinds of exciting features to help your business shine.
First, you can utilize the top banner to attract attention by way of an intriguing graphic and tagline or other message.
You can also showcase your products by uploading pictures of them to an album which you then share via your Facebook business page.
You can invite customers to leave a positive review on your Facebook page.
And you can entice people to sign up for your mailing list by posting an ad on your Facebook page that leads to signup on your main website.
Facebook Business Page Tools
Wondering what sorts of visuals, written content and other features you can add to your Facebook Business Page to help your brand stand out in the crowd?
What makes a great Facebook business page, and how can you get people to stick around once they visit yours?
Below find some good ideas for making your Facebook business page appealing to your ideal customer.
Gorgeous graphics.
Each person's graphic presentation on Facebook will be slightly different than the next person's depending on what business they're in.
However, one thing is certain - the more unique, original and people-focused your top banner is, the more engagement you'll have on your Facebook business page, AND you might not even have to ask for the likes.
An example of this could be a professionally designed header that's sectioned off into attractive blocks or parts showcasing different images.
You might share one of your logo, one of your head shot, one of you together with teammates, and one of a group of clients attending a seminar.
Or, if you're something like a health coach, then you could share photos of delicious recipes, inspiring photos of fit, healthy people, nature, and other attention-getting items that would appeal to your audience of health-conscious individuals.
Useful, relevant articles.
In the same way that you might share a helpful article in your company's email newsletter, you can post one right to your Facebook business page.
Make sure that the content that you write or outsource for this purpose is a topic that your ideal customer would definitely want more information on.
Add a compelling graphic so that people will start looking in the first place.
And of course, also publish the article in your blog or website and share that link with the intro text to the article that you publish on your FB page.
A product showcase.
You might sell physical products, or maybe you offer information, such as classes or e-guides that people purchase from you online.
If you have the graphics already set up, you can upload them to their own album on Facebook via your business page, and then link to the album by sharing it in a post.
You can also opt to feature just one or two of your products per month or per season, according to whatever is going on at that particular time.
So for example, if you've created an awesome product to help your clients create holiday marketing materials for their business, then you might share this on your business Facebook page (as well as use paid advertising to get more potential customers looking, clicking and buying).
Tips for Getting Your Business Noticed on Facebook Groups
It's become a little tricky to get your business name noticed on Facebook groups.
The main reason for this is that Facebook groups have become anti-self promotion.
Many group moderators have created specific rules for the groups on Facebook that don't permit business owners to share link to their websites unless it's on a special day or attached to one particular conversation thread.
This limits the exposure you might get for your company name, which can be frustrating since you're putting all of these hours into helping other people by sharing what you know in the form of carefully written posts.
However, despite this limitation, there are workarounds.
You just have to be proactive and creative about how you do things.
If you'd like people to associate your Facebook profile with your business name, here's what you can do.
Utilize that small space in the About section that lets people know what you do and what your web link is.
Of course, they won't see it unless they click your page directly.
So if you've taken the time to post on a Facebook group, then you should try to find a way to get more people clicking on your profile.
You might come up with something compelling and different that makes people think to themselves, "Hmm, what's this person about?"
Don't get too carried away with posting .gifs and memes.
Image-based humor can bring some levity at times, but it also tends to dumb down a conversation.
If you want people to be intrigued by what you have to say and consider adding you to their network of professional contacts on Facebook, then be provocative, helpful or poignant with what you share or offer in discussions.
Make yourself a gorgeous banner for the top image.
This part of your Facebook page is public.
So everyone will see it whether you're friends with them or not.
This is a perfect spot to cultivate brand recognition that's associated with your name.
You might even consider hiring a professional designer if you're not particularly gifted with developing graphics.
Benefits of Running Your Own Facebook Group
Want to attract more business by way of Facebook, but you aren't sure how to find the right groups and friends where your perfect client or ideal customer hangs out?
Sometimes the best way to attract like minds is by putting your own ideas out there for the world to congregate to.
When you create a Facebook group that relates to your business, you'll want to set things up so that your ideal customer is compelled to join.
You might think that you should reach out to people who all do what you do, but this isn't always the best way.
For example, let's say that you’re a business coach.
If you advertise that your group is for business coaches, then it won't be long before you're completely surrounded by your competition.
So, to be a bit more strategic about your group you can name it and describe it as relating to a service you offer.
So if you're a business coach looking for newbies to online business, then your group can be for new business owners who want more exposure online.
Another type of group that you can moderate on Facebook is one that actually does include people who do what you do.
The idea here is that you can all learn from each other in various phases of business development.
Maybe you'll end up mastering or sharing techniques and tools with other people who do what you do.
Or maybe you could collaborate in a joint venture with someone who has a similar business.
Here's how to use your Facebook group to drive traffic, signups and sales to your company website.
The "freebie" part of what you offer should be provided free to members of your Facebook group.
This means that people who are on the inside will get a taste, but it will be limited. You can run things like a free workshop, give away helpful resources, present a questionnaire, or otherwise teach your people for free as a way to get them excited for what you sell.
The next level up could be for them to sign up to your list, purchase a paid ebook, sign up for your coaching, or book a seminar with you.
If you've never run a Facebook group before, beware that it can get hairy at times.
Some people show up to these things to blow off steam from their day, or flex their mental muscles.
It helps to pre-screen participants so that you can be a bit more selective of who you let in.
Ideas for Keeping Your Facebook Group Active
It's getting more difficult to keep your Facebook group participants active and engaged in conversations.
One reason for this is the frustration of everyone being on our smart phones all the time.
People get lazy when it comes to typing from their phones.
They don't always want to commit to editing those typos that pop up, so they stick to the minimal-effort activities of liking and posting pictures.
One way to overcome this problem is to designate Desktop Participation Hour when people are invited to fully engage in a thought-provoking dialogue on your Facebook group.
You could call it a mastermind, and encourage members to ask and answer questions at that time.
Tell people that this is a chance to gather new information, or to share what they already know as an expert on a particular topic.
You may notice that some people who run Facebook groups are more effective at it than others.
How do they manage to attract quality participants and keep the discussions going?
They run themed days, where certain topics are discussed on certain days of the week.
This keeps members focused on ways that they might be able to participate.
A big problem with social media and smart phones has become the lack of focus.
They limit the days or threads where group members can share their company link and do some shameless self promotion.
This means that overall, the group won't be flooded with spammy links, which can be off putting and can crowd out high value threads It also gives people a reason to show up on Friday, which happens to be share day.
They invite the best people to join and participate. If you already have a group of trusted associates on Facebook, it often helps to bring everyone together for a routine meeting of the minds. High caliber members will attract other high caliber members from their own network of colleagues.
This is how your Facebook group grows in quantity and quality.
6 Conversation Stokers to Use on Your Facebook Group
What's the best way to get people engaged in meaningful conversation on your Facebook page?
Lead the conversations by posting thread starters that happen on specific days of the week.
Many people who join Facebook groups feel shy about jumping in and starting a thread for fear of doing something that unintentionally violates the group admin's rules.
Or, maybe they're just very busy with their own lives, so they forget to check in and then nothing pops up.
If you feel that having specific days for specific types of themes on Facebook is too limiting, you can explain to your members that everyone is welcome to post about any topic on any day, provided the topic does not violate certain rules such as sharing links on non-link days.
This will show people that the themed days are not part of the "rules" but more to just get conversations going.
Remember that the whole point of having a Facebook group is to position yourself as a topic authority, leader and expert while encouraging smart and savvy business owners to form connections and share their expertise as well.
This is how natural business partnerships develop via social media.
The following conversation starters will be helpful in getting a meaningful dialogue going on your Facebook group.
#1 Topic-specific Q&A sessions.
If you've got a virtual assistant helping you manage your Facebook group, you can guide the conversations by kicking off a Q&A on a specific area of the topic that you specialize in.
So for example, if your expertise is in Etsy selling, then your Q&A topic of the day could be Developing Your Product Line: Your Questions Answered.
#2 Business-Building Tools.
Web marketing is constantly changing and evolving. The tools that you used to drive traffic to your company website in 2004 may be replaced by easier-to-use, more powerful solutions in 2022.
Give your members an opportunity to share their favorite tools for specific purposes in their business.
This high-value topic will help people stay current with what's happening in online business and keep them advancing along with the times.
#3 Customer Challenges.
Anyone in business has run into client or customer challenges at one time or another. The problems could be related to how their website functions, or it could be having to deal with an especially difficult or demanding customer.
Topics like banning certain customers, working out invoicing discrepancies, handling dissatisfaction with the product, and other issues can spark invigorating and enlightening conversations among your members.
#4 Promotional Plans.
From time to time, a business owner may feel stuck on the same old repeat activities that they use to drive business. They as well as their customers, may lose enthusiasm for this over time.
One way to boost enthusiasm in your Facebook group is to brainstorm creative ideas for product launches, coaching packages, marketing themes, special promotions, and joint ventures.
#5 Pricing Strategy.
A common challenge of most every business owner is how to price their products. Of course, people want to make a profit but they also hope to set up their products and services to position themselves competitively in the market.
Initiate a conversation about how to price your products and services online to get people participating in your Facebook group. Not only is this a great way to connect members who may not know each other, but everyone is bound to learn something.
#6 Targeting the right customer.
Do your Facebook members keep their sights focused on just one type of client?
Or have they developed their offerings in the hope of hitting every rung on the ladder?
Talk to your members about marketing to both the higher-end, middle, and lower-budget customers by coming up with creative product packages that speak to each type of customer's needs and budget.
Create Your Facebook Company Banner - Steps to Success
So you know that you need a Facebook banner for your business, but you have neither the cash to hire a professional designer, nor the experience with graphic editing programs to make one yourself. The other problem with social media banners and graphics is the sizing, zoom, and positioning of text elements.
All of these aspects of design and web layout impact how your Facebook banner appears to the public.
There is nothing more frustrating than spending hours to master a new graphic design program and make what you think is going to be a smart-looking banner for your business Facebook or other social media page, only to find that when you view through the eyes of your social media visitors, everything looks all wonky and screwy.
This is why it's a great relief to know that inspired companies out there have come up with plug-and-play banner design kits that let ordinary people like you and me who know nearly nothing about image creation quickly and easily come up with original, eye-catching Facebook banner graphics, but the specs lock right in like the missing puzzle piece.
Below find some exciting options for fast, effective banner creation to help your brand stand out among the herd on Facebook:
Banner Snack
The Banner Snack tool syncs up with your Facebook, Google and email accounts to let you create a free Facebook banner in minutes using their free templates or custom design tools. Banner Snack is one of the top recommended design tools used by professionals globally as a handy design shortcut.
Canva
1. Select your preferred layout.
2. Choose images, designs and colors.
3. Add your message.
4. Save, upload and use.
You get your pick of more than 1 million stock photo images and hundreds of professionally designed layouts.
Canva has 3 membership options that start with free and upgrade to professional and enterprise levels.
Crello
Crello.com lets users enjoy both free and low, flat-fee monthly pricing to customize a Facebook banner using their predesigned formats and layouts.
Their instructions are simple and easy to follow:
1. select a cover format.
2. choose a layout.
3. modify to your liking, and
4. save and use.
The free version utilizes graphics that advertise/credit their company. With the paid monthly, you get more design control and you can omit the reference to their brand name so that all eyes remain focused on you.
What to Know About Paid Ads on Facebook
More and more new business owners are getting comfortable with using Facebook's paid ads feature to promote their company website. As a person who logs onto your personal profile each day, you may notice that specific ads pop up in the sidebar that target your unique interests.
Facebook is definitely tracking conversations so they can serve up relevant ads to their members. As a Facebook business page owner, you stand to benefit from their powerful technology.
If you have never launched a paid ad on Facebook, there are a few things you should have in place before doing so.
You should have a business website or Facebook page.
This spot will function as the "home base" that you drive people to once they click your ad on Facebook.
You should be collecting signups.
If you're going to invest in paid ads, then it's a smart idea to entice people to sign up for your mailing list once they arrive on your site.
Otherwise, you may be connecting with them but you're not going to get the benefit of repeat contact.
You should have something exciting happening. This could include a themed event, a special promotion, a free giveaway or try before you buy, a contest, a seasonally relevant product launch, or something else.
You should have pre-made graphics.
Please note that at the present time of this writing, Facebook has limitations on overly wordy images that business owners post in their ads. If your graphic is too spammy looking, your ad will be rejected.
So as you create unique branding materials for whatever you have going on, remember to version your graphics.
The images you post on Facebook should have far less text than the ones you post on your own blog or website announcing the latest happenings.
You should target your audience.
If you boost a post on Facebook, you'll be able to do this right in the area where you set up the boost with paid advertising.
Take note, though, that your smart phone makes it easier to target specific behaviors of your audience, as opposed to your Facebook page as seen from your desktop computer.
Log in on each of those devices and launch a paid ad to see how these differ.
You should budget in a way that you are always profiting.
One nice feature of Facebook ads is that the amount you spend is entirely in your control. You don't have to pay hand over fist for Facebook ad exposure if you're just starting out on a shoestring budget. And you can increase your total invested in paid ads over time, as your business grows.
How to Get People from Facebook to Your Website
The sole reason you would want to have social media profiles for your business, especially on Facebook, is to drive visitors from the social networks to your website.
There was a time when people were likely to "hang out" and comment on your blog a few years back.
But since the social sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter came into being, most people really do stay close to home, meaning they linger on their profile pages for each of those platforms.
Mainly, they're driven by the constant alerts that are phrased in a way that tweaks their ego. "So and so reacted to something you shared."
If you're new to online marketing, you may have been told at some point or another that search engine optimization is something mathematical that you have to pay for if you expect any actual visitors to your site.
Yes, you can definitely pay for search engine placement.
However, it may benefit your bank account to realize that linking from Facebook to your blog or website is actually a form of SEO. If you're tight on advertising funds, you can utilize Facebook to get clicks back to your site which will help pull your company up on the search engines.
If you want to pry people away from Facebook long enough to visit your website and sign up for your list, then you've got to create some sort of enticing offer that they won't be able to look away from.
To accomplish this, think hard about an urgent problem that your target audience might have which you can solve.
Hopefully you already have done your marketing homework, and you're well prepared with a unique product to offer your ideal customer.
But if you're one of the many companies who generalizes rather than specializes, it's time to dream up a very unique scenario that you can insert your business into with the intention of helping your audience succeed at something they want to do.
A lot of people shy away from getting too specific with their advertising. However, this is exactly what you should focus on developing if you want a swift positive reaction from your potential customers.
So for example, let's say that you're a coach, and you want to launch a course that helps people move past their fears. Facebook will be a perfect forum to shout out this new program of yours.
However, let's consider that "fear" is terribly vague, and do people really view themselves as fearful?
Some might, but a lot would not. So it'd be far better to approach this by thinking up a challenge that someone might get stuck in.
Instead of fear, your course could be about breaking into a totally new career field.
Now you're becoming highly specific. And to top off this launch and make it irresistible, you'll price this course at $97 on a regular day, but just $47 for anyone who signs up between X and X dates.
How to Run a Special Sale on Facebook
Did you know that it's easier than ever these days to run a special sale from your Facebook business page?
Since everyone's always hanging around on this platform, this can mean that you'll reach many more potential customers than you would have if you sent an email alone.
In an earlier article, we talked about how important it is to develop a very specific product package that speaks to a common, specific problem of your target audience. So you're essentially launching your new product to an audience of Facebookers.
To do the full launch on Facebook's paid advertising section of your business page, here's what you must do:
1. Create the course - easy enough to start with a nicely designed and well-written ebook.
2. Brand the course with compelling graphics, such as cover art that can show up on your sales page for the course so people will recognize it.
3. Write and design the full sales page, and set up the product to order from there.
4. Publish the course's sales page on your blog. (Set it up as a PAGE, not a post).
5. Head on over to your Facebook business page and find the advertising area. You may be able to do this directly from a post. Instead of "boosting" the post, Facebook will ask if you'd like to create an offer.
6. From there, a dialogue box will open up that you can fill in all of the details, including upload the graphic, create a headline, fill in the details of the sale and include a link back to your sales page that lives on your blog.
7. Target your audience by selecting their likes and profile details. Customize the audience to be highly specific and then save the audience by name.
8. Launch your Facebook ad, targeting the audience you just developed. Budget your ad wisely, according to whatever feels the most comfortable on your pocketbook.
Simple Steps to Creating Eye-Catching Graphics to Post on Facebook
Were you under the impression that you'll be shelling out thousands of dollars to professional designers to flesh out your brand and create graphics to help you show up in style to all of the social networks?
These days, there are many affordable options for making business graphics to use on Facebook and other sites.
You can hire someone to do this for you, absolutely. But rather than going for the top echelon of talent, you can, as a small business owner, get away with hiring a virtual assistant who knows simple design shortcuts to get you some nice branding without spending a fortune.
Or, if you don't even want to spend money on a VA at this point, you can make your own graphics using images and cool fonts you find on the web.
No, you aren't permitted to thieve other websites' copyrighted images. BUT, you can definitely access the millions of stock free photos and illustrations available to you from a myriad of member sites.
Here are some of the most popular for free and low-cost stock images:
Pixabay.com
Unsplash.com
Pexels.com
FreeImages.com
istockphoto.com
stockfreeimages.com
Most of the popular image sites offer the option to join as a member and then log in.
There may be tiered member options so that you can choose a basic free membership, or upgrade to more choices and better quality photos. Images can also be purchased online for affordable prices.
Keep in mind that the size of your image will matter depending on whether you're posting to a website or a print document. Printed documents require high resolution images. Web pages require smaller files to load quicker, though now that most everyone uses blogs and a faster internet connection, you can get away with not shrinking your images though it's probably a wise idea to do so.
Even the basic Microsoft Picture Viewer program has the option for you to resize and compress images depending on what you plan to use them for.
If you've never done this before, experiment by opening an image in this program and then right-clicking it to bring up the edit function. There, you will see different resize options for websites, email, and print documents.
It's always a good idea to keep your images saved in various sizes.
So if you have a larger file size, you should do a "save as" when you edit it to smaller or if you shrink the file.
This way, you can keep different sized low-resolution and high-resolution images for different uses.
Keep in mind that a low-res image file will not print correctly if you add this to your documents, even for a letter-sized page created in MS Word. Your image will show up blurry. The same goes for PDF files that you create in MS Word or any other layout program.
How to add cool fonts to your computer.
In addition to having exciting images to work with when you create logos, social graphics and other image-based branding for your website, you'll also want a variety of exciting fonts to choose from.
Your computer will already have some basics, but if you come across free or low-cost fonts in your travels online, you might decide that they'd look really nice used in your website graphics.
Keep in mind that HTML fonts are limited.
So a font that you opt to use in an image file may not show up if you add it to your blog or website.
There are universal fonts that are visible in a browser.
Other fonts may or may not show up for the end user, in which case the web substitutes known fonts in their place.
It's very simple to add new fonts to your computer for use in different programs.
First, download them from a website or other source.
Place the zipped font folder onto your desktop.
Unzip it so that you can access the individual font file.
Next, open the control panel and navigate to settings.
A search for fonts will bring up the fonts area.
Click on this to open.
Then go back to the unzipped font file that you placed on your desktop, and drag and drop the font file into the font folder in your settings area.
That's it, you're ready to use your new fonts!
Do Memes Work? When to Use them for Business
Do you wonder if you should jump in on the meme craze that's sweeping the web?
If you've been hanging around online for the past ten years ago, you may remember a time when the word "meme" didn't exist.
People communicated in words, rather than in short blurbs and pictures.
What exactly is a "meme" anyway?
The best definition comes from Lifewire.com which states:
"Meme comes from the Greek word mimema (meaning "something imitated", American Heritage Dictionary).
Dawkins described memes as a being a form of cultural propagation, which is a way for people to transmit social memories and cultural ideas to each other."
You'll notice that some people who have their own Facebook Business group tend to post memes as a way to attract members and get them looking and clicking.
What happens then?
People read the message that the meme shares, then they like or thumbs-up the picture.
While this technically may draw attention to your group for a short time, you may wonder if this trend of posting memes and liking them really adds any value in terms of people getting to know you as an expert within your field.
You may also wonder if thumbs-upping memes does anything for your members as far as them becoming familiar with each other and deciding to connect professionally.
While posting pictures without words might get people looking your way, and memes take that two steps further by pairing a sentiment to go with the picture, there must be a better way to make use of memes as a conversation starter online.
Below, find some ideas for giving depth and meaning to the uses of memes.
#1 - Create a thought-provoking exercise from one meme.
For example, you might post a meme that is related to social issues, and ask two known polarized groups to each add their thoughts.
You might question how each "side" interprets the meaning of the meme, what they take from it and how they might apply the idea in a real-world, problem-solving situation.
These could even be used to identify the common ground between two theoretically opposing groups, in a way that meets them in the middle for compromise.
#2 - Pair the meme with an article that goes deeper.
This is the best way to make use of a meme. Posting pictures with a just a line or two of text can either leave too much open to interpretation, or it might just feel like a shallow thought that never gets developed.
But if you're a marketer who either buys or creates their own memes, you can take the message several steps beyond what's relayed. Write out a series of points that support the intended meaning of the meme (or at least the way that you yourself might interpret the general idea of the meme.)
Next add two or three sentences to each point.
Turn it into an article by adding an intro and conclusion.
Post, along with the meme, to your blog or to your social network.
Invite others to consider the ideas and add their own thoughts.
#3 - Use memes to propagate a positive message.
Anti-bullying, positive body image, gratitude, and healthy self esteem are just a few of the many inspired themes that can be shared via meme or message that combines pictures with meaningful words.
As a coach or business owner you might designate a specific month of your business communication to support a certain idea or sentiment, either as an individual or based on whatever seems to be happening in the global web community.
#4 - Invite a meme-inspired exercise in your private group.
"Taking memes a step further" could be the theme of your next group discussion. Invite members to share their favorite memes on a specific topic. Have each person write a few paragraphs explaining their thoughts about the meme they selected and why this particular message feels important to them.
Avoid These 5 Conversations on Facebook as a Business Owner
Do you ever find yourself mired in a personality clash with yourself on your own Facebook page?
Facebook can be tricky in that it isn't always easy to separate your audiences.
Sure, there are ways to categories people on your friends lists.
And you can certainly create a Facebook business page for yourself that lets you differentiate between your professional and personal messages.
However, despite all of the features, we don't always have time to keep up with this ever-changing platform.
And despite our best efforts, we can sometimes find our personal and professional selves overlapping on Facebook.
If you've ever wondered where to draw the line between personal and professional on your main Facebook profile page, then think before you post about the following topics.
#1 - Strong, hostile political opinions.
Probably most of America learned the hard way that the fastest way to make enemies on Facebook is by sharing your extremely polarized political viewpoints and doing it in a way that blames, shames, points fingers, mud-slings or blatantly disrespects the opposing side.
If you are an online professional and you're hoping that at least some of your personal contacts on Facebook might actually result in sales based on recommendations by friends, or simply by people you're connected with finding out what you do, then it's best to steer clear of vitriol-infused political statements.
#2 - Local gossip.
More and more it seems that local Facebook pages are being used for various finger-pointing means.
Whether it's calling out a neighbor for undesirable activity, bad-mouthing a nearby business, or expressing your negative opinion of the local government, this type of negativity is not wise for a personal user of Facebook but far worse when you're using the platform to promote your own company or service.
Basically, anything you wouldn't likely be inclined to say out loud in front of people should never be put in writing and published on social media for the world to see.
#3 - Details about your personal life.
While your decision to post information about troubles you may be facing in your life is up to you, the details of said problems, particularly those that mention or imply specific people, are probably best kept away from social media.
A screen shot can be snapped in a second and used to slander someone's good name, or maybe even put you as the spreader of information in an unflattering light. This is certainly not a good idea even for someone who does not use Facebook for business purposes, but even worse if you do.
#4 - He said-she said drama.
Sometimes you might have an unpleasant incident unfold, and you'd like to run to social media and rally all of your friends to get some support.However, if taken the wrong way or if too much information is revealed, this could result in unintended scandal, misconstruing of facts, and could reflect poorly on both you and the other involved parties.
#5 - Too much information about your children.
If you're networking on Facebook for professional reasons, you might occasionally post updates on your kids, including pictures, stories and funny or interesting things they say.
It is up to the individual whether or not to share details about their kids and their family life.
However, be aware that if you are routinely friending individuals online that you do not know personally or do not have a high level of trust with, you are increasing risk for your minor children. You might also be sharing too much detail that might embarrass your children or simply be TMI.
Consider as a business owner how much, if any, info you feel comfortable sharing about your family with the people on your list, and follow through with your decision so as to protect your children and your reputation as a family.
Easy Ideas for Running a Facebook Based Business Event
One of the best perks that Facebook business groups have going from them is that you can run a business based event from the comfort of home.
The concept of selling online while wearing your pajamas is nothing new, but before Facebook's graphic presentation the options weren't quite as attractive.
What will the event consist of?
Your business event on Facebook could be a mixer, a mastermind, a project launch, a workshop, a support group, or anything else you can think of that would work with people popping in and out throughout the day.
Or, instead of just having random people show up and leave whenever it's convenient for them, you might enhance the group discussion aspect of your private business event by letting people know that a certain group activity will be scheduled at a specific time and on a specific date.
Elements of your Facebook-based business event could include:
- An introduction or "meet and greet" thread where each person introduces themselves and tells a bit about what their business provides
- A learning segment where lessons are taught by you via live FB, pre-recorded video, or through a series of posts that you create.
- Assignments where attendees break away to tackle individual projects such as marketing, writing or personal development exercises, then return at a specific time later to discuss.
- Q&A sessions where guests get an opportunity to pick your brain as an expert.
Where will you find interested parties to attend your event?
Your email list is a great place to start when it comes to finding interested parties who might want to attend your Facebook business event.
Of course, if you run a group on Facebook then this would be a good time to reach out and gauge interest among your group members.
You can also reach out to associates to see if their own clients, followers and friends might want to sign up.
If you run an affiliate program and know how to set up your classes as a product where you can split the profits, this would be an amazing opportunity to get new faces on board with your Facebook business event.