If you’re like many business owners trying to make it work online, you’ve gone and joined MySpace, Facebook, Ryze, LinkedIn, and every other social network that you can find hoping that your business would just explode through the roof. It hasn’t, and now you’re just plain miffed. Well, it could be that, like Click Wisdom, you’re approaching the social networking game all wrong. It could be that you’re on the wrong network to begin with. Maybe these tips will help you rearrange your Facebook for more effective networking:
According to Click Wisdom
- Include a Photo: You should include a photo of yourself on any social network you join. People don’t like networking with strangers. A photo will help them get to know you better.
- Incorporate Twitter: I’ve never used Twitter. Others are using it like crazy. My understanding is that people use Twitter because you can just jot down a quick message too small for blogging. My thought is, if you’re too busy to blog then you’re too busy to Twitter. Free up some time and start a blog. Like Michael Martine, I think you’ll get more mileage out of a daily blog than you will out of any of the social networks. But if you’re going to Facebook then it does make sense to be active and to make your Facebook page interactive. Twitter seems like a good enough tool for interactivity.
- Post Links of Interest: No kidding. I think it helps to have a target market. Are you on Facebook to make friends or contacts for business? If the former then keep it personal. If for business then narrow your network only to people you are trying to target for business. Don’t be general, be specific. Develop a demographic and target it, but be aware that it’s not a sales tool. It’s a networking tool. So put links on there that will benefit your target audience and stay away from fluff.
- Fill Out Your Profile Info: No brainer? You’d think. If you want people to network with you, give them a reason to. Who are you? Let them know.
- Change Your Privacy Settings: Privacy settings are there for a reason. I figure if you use Facebook correctly then privacy isn’t as big an issue as it could be. I’d never put my address and phone number on a social networking site. Not my personal information anyway. Business phone is OK if you want any old Tom, Dick, or Henrietta calling you at any time of day or night to talk about your blue widgets. Remember, you could be networking with people in Hong Kong or the Phillipines, so keep the time difference in mind. If you need it, change your privacy settings.
- Friend People; Don’t Sell Them Stuff: I totally agree with this one. I am so annoyed when I make someone my friend and they immediately try to sell me something. Don’t do it. Make them your friend before you start making offers. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when they drop you like a hot potato.
- Friend With Privacy: Yes, you can change the privacy settings for each individual on your friends list. Good idea.
- Calm Down When It Comes To Applications: Do you really need a wailing wall that shouts “Ooogedy boogedy boo!” to every new friend when they accept your friend offers? Seriously, folks, too many applications make you look like a pimple-faced high school kid chasing a cheerleader around the lunch table. If that’s what you’re aiming at, load up another application.
- Bow Down To The Coolness Of The Timeline And The Feed: Yep, even Facebook has that cool RSS feed. You’re in business, right? Use the feed. But don’t abuse it.
All of these are great suggestions. But I’ve got one more to add. Don’t go on a willy nilly friendship spree. You don’t have to make friends with everyone on Facebook. The idea is to look for people with similar interests. Do you have anything in common with that cute little ballerina with the curls or do you just like looking at her picture? Buy a magazine. Use Facebook as a networking tool, but if you can’t find a use for it for your business then don’t waste your time. Go to LinkedIn instead.
