Many of my business clients have expressed resistance to using Facebook in their Social Marketing strategy. For the most part, not wanting to mix business and personal life is the main concern. I’ve heard it enough times to realize that there are still many people who do not understand the privacy options on Facebook and that they can easily keep their personal lives and professional lives neatly divided. So, here is a quick and easy two step tutorial on how to do just that.
Step one, Click on the Friends Link at the top of your Facebook page. Click on the “Create New List” link. This will open a box with all of your contacts and give you the ability to create a “Friends” list and a “Professional” list where you can sort your contacts. I have created even more specific categories including “High School Friends” which is the only group I allow to see photos that I am tagged in. This keeps my professional contacts and casual friends away from the embarrassing yearbook pictures and New Years Eve debacles, because as the saying goes “You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.”
Step two, involves modifying your privacy settings so that only your friends can see pictures where you are tagged, read your updates, etc. So, mouse over the “Settings” link in the upper right corner of your profile page and click on the “Privacy Settings” option that appears in the drop down menu.
You will then be able to determine which Lists of your contacts will be privy to your Profile, Basic Information, Personal Info, Status and Links, Wall Posts, Photos Tagged of you and more. Specific photo albums can also be designated as private or public. Perhaps you have photos from a speaking engagement or company picnic that you don’t mind sharing with your professional contacts. This is where you would set the album’s options for visibility.
Save your changes at the bottom and you’re all set up to use Facebook for personal contacts and professional networking. I know a lot of people feel that Facebook is more for connecting with friends and Twitter is for business. I do admit that Facebook is where I have found my grammar school friends and where I keep in touch with them on a daily basis. However, many of my friends are also faithful readers of my blog and a great referral network for me. Off line we hope our friends will refer us to their friends and acquaintances. Why should the online world be any different? Friends are a great resource and Facebook is a great tool to nourish and grow your list of connected friends. Once you have your privacy settings in place, relax and enjoy discovering old friends.
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
* Ralph Waldo Emerson
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Very well-written.
I'll be linking to this on my facebook wall for my friends and colleagues to see and put to good use.
Thanks, Deborah.
Marc Bachrach
HYPNOTISM SHOWS and Variety Entertainment
Entertaining North America since 1979
800hypno4u.com
805 492-7189
Marc@800hypno4u.com
Deborah–
If one sets up a separate business page through a personal account, and that page has "fans" versus "friends," can fans see pix on your personal pages?
Thanks!
Lynne
Hi Lynne,
I'm thinking NO. But, Facebook is not exactly the easiest platform to navigate. The only info I get from the HELP section is below. My opinion is if they are not your "friends" they do no get to see personal info. If you find out otherwise, please let me know.
FACEBOOK: As a Page Admin you can select who is able to search for and fan your Page. In the ‘Settings’ section you can choose the age of the users that your content is suitable for. You can also restrict your Page to users in certain countries, including the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. Lastly, you can select which applications on your Page users are able to add their own content to.
Hey – so why facebook at all? Is it really driving business for the customer? is it building loyalty? Are serious people really using it to find resources or products?
I have avoided facebook for all those reasons. No one has showm me that it will drive business to have a presence there.
For a product seeking to become a cultural phenomenon – sure. For a serious professional? A bit like having an AOL or GOOGLE address for your e:mail. It is hard to take them seriously. I prefer linked in for business networking.
Hi Tony, Facebook's value definitely depends on the product or profession. For the insurance agent or financial planner, LinkedIn is probably the best choice. For a restaurant trying to build buzz and loyalty or real estate agent trying to connect with clients on a more personal level, Facebook does a wonderful job. These are just some examples, you get the point I'm sure. Even if you are using LinkedIn professionally, Facebook can be a great way to reconnect with friends and stay connected with them. Friends are great resources for referrals as well.
Your right – Facebook f'it' is dependent on the business type.
This article has good insight and clarity. It is difficult to always be on top of what are the best business practices to "getting the word out there". As a designer, http://www.ahlersdesigns.com , I need for the whole world I exist.
Social bookmarking and linking to our Facebook page or fan page is a good tool for reaching out to new customer. I am a new member to ISES and I have really enjoyed meeting event planners and providing custom gifts to them. I find that Facebook & Linked In are the best place for me.