Everyone wants to be told what to do, according to 19th century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. That’s one reason we read books — and write blogs. I combined the two in a “How to” site with lists I will be reposting here on a weekly basis. If you just can’t wait, though, click on the How-to link for all the lists.
from The zen of social media marketing by Shama Hyder Kabani
Every brand should know about Facebook marketing. Shama writes that the goal on this social media platform should be to attract people to your website, build trust, and gain visibility — all things that inevitably lead to sales.
Here’s what she says you SHOULD DO:
1. Spend time creating an outstanding profile.
2. Let your personality shine through.
3. Reach out to people in a professional and thoughtful manner.
4. Build a loyal Facebook friendship base.
5. Leverage notes and status updates by providing value.
6. Work on attracting people to your site (using real value, not pushy links).
7. Have a friending policy in place.
8. Build a community around your topic or specialty.
9. Be proactive in your networking efforts.
10. Share relevant photos and videos.
11. Participate actively in groups.
And here are her DON’T DO’s:
1. Don’t be pushy.
2. Don’t write your web link on someone else’s Wall.
3. Don’t send or accept frivolous applications.
4. Don’t use your business name as your profile name.
5. Don’t put up crude or thoughtless pictures or comments.
6. Don’t expect social media to “work” for you (you do the work).
7. Don’t “friend” blindly — let people know why you are requesting a connection.
No matter what your business or organization, chances are your customers and potential customers are using Facebook. Bring your business to them.
FURTHER READING:
Shama’s website: The Marketing Zen Group
20 Facebook mistakes you should avoid
HOT off the “ultijmate” Facebook Marketing Guide
What can you do with your Facebook Friends
Patrick Schwerdtfeger discusses Facebook and other social media strategies
People use Facebook to commuicate with their friends and chat when they are in other places.Some people like to abuse facebook to set up a fake name to attract attention to others to find out their information.One of the dont is not to put all your info or you will be haced into your facebook and can be robbed of all your information.
i fell that people do whatever they do. because its year 2012 and im young but i can even say, what has the world come to like there was this girl on facebook and twitter who posted the same picture of her being nude and that was just what she wanted to do. my point is that no one cares about there idenity or title to others anymore. or should i say as much as before when everyone still had some kind of respect for themselves
Thanks for the tips. I suppose these tips also apply to Google + profiles too.
When developing profile pages, I always think of it from the website user/visitor point of view. What would I like to see as a website user? I think about design and layout and also what content i’d like to read. Sometimes words are as important as pictures.
It does depend on your target audience but I think the points you mention are a fantastic starting point.
Thanks again for the ideas.
These are good tips, I need to get going with Facebook. Is it possible to setup multiple facebook pages with one account or do you have to set up separate ones?
Steve, first off you need to be certain you understand the difference between Facebook pages and profiles. The latter. i.e., the profile is your “personal” site and people should only have one. You may, however, create as many Facebook “fan” pages as you wish.
Hey Shari,
Great list of how you should be marketing your business on Facebook … and how to Not market it!
The biggest thing to remember is that there are Two Sides to Facebook … The personal side where you have friends and the business side where you have fans. If one wants to market on Facebook they should be learning all they can with regards to how to best set up their Fan Page (business side) where they can use opt-in forms and even sell directly from the Facebook site. These options are not available from a personal profile.
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome list.
Kevin
Till now I did what you mentioned as Don’t. Thanks for the information..
thank you the for the points the you have listed above. it helps a lot and it tells us more on what should be done. thank you
If your facebook profile is private is there a way that your possible employer can still view your profile? Also, how heavily does your facebook profile weight on you getting the job for which you are applying for?
Great question, Carolyn, so listen up: My advice to Everyone is not to put anything PRIVATE on the internet — even if you can select privacy settings.
The Internet is a Global Whiteboard, which means that anyone around the world has access to it, and it is never completely erased.
Re: today’s employers love Facebook, so they can really check you out. If they have choices among candidates to select for any one position, why would they bring in someone whose activities may be questionable?
Shari, anybody using any social media should be required to read this list…and the older post from Karen Clark (20 FB mistakes to avoid). I do have a question, though. I don’t understand the reasoning behind #4 on the DON’T list. Can you help me with that? Why wouldn’t you want to use your actual business name as the name of your page…or am I reading that incorrectly?
Sure Dave, i.e., I think you did read it incorrectly. Shama was pointing out not to use your business name on your PROFILE — your personal page. Fine, though, for the business page.
Interestingly enough, using a business name as a Facebook “profile” page used to be contrary to FB Terms of Usage and people had gotten kicked off FB for doing so. Now, I believe, FB doesn’t crack the whip on that so much — but still it’s better to separate business from personal on FB. And “that,” i.e. separating business from personal is an entire new post.
🙂