I Never Get on Facebook, What am I Supposed to Do?
Everyday millions of people are engaging on Facebook. If you don’t have a Facebook account, or haven’t been active there, it may be intimidating or overwhelming to get started. Many, many people are only now realizing how important using social media is to their companies. Don’t be fearful or overly concerned – EVERYBODY has to start somewhere! The important thing is that you’ve decided you want to get involved.
I’m sharing some links at the bottom of this post to help you get a handle on why using social media is important. Right now, I’m going to concentrate on helping you get started.
How Do I Set Up My Account?
Set up your account using the Facebook set up wizard. Don’t neglect adding your business website link, email and interests to your settings! This will help people understand how to get in touch with you or recognize things you might want to talk about in the future. In this way, you make yourself available to those you may be able to serve. Remember to always keep lines of communication open, but safely consider your security settings. If your status updates are set to private, people won’t get to know you and what you stand for.
What Do I Talk About, I Don’t Know What to Say?
This is actually one of the most common things we hear from people; You’re not alone! Knowing that others may have the same insecurities should help you understand the playing field. You want to bring value, personality, and even humor to your status updates – things that would encourage another to respond and engage in conversation with you. After all, that’s the name of the game.
How Often Do I Need to be Posting on my Wall?
Not as often as you think! As little as two status updates on your Facebook business page and some form of communication with someone on your personal page a day can make a difference to how you’re found online. Why? Because the discipline to do this shows your willingness to stay current, something you’re kind of ‘graded’ on! Also, the more you do this on your personal page and business page, the more you’ll increase your odds of interaction. That interaction you’re graded on, too.
Tip: A couple status updates are fine for the first week, but if you’re learning how to interact with potential customers, the next week shoot for 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at the end of the day. Soon you’ll develop your own sense of community, and won’t need to force yourself to be there.
It all matters because people like to talk, and when you’re where they’re talking, you can serve them better. Always think about what you say as part of your company message, and if that’s the case, then your message has to be friendly, helpful, and clear. (Humor is great, too! Just be real; phoney doesn’t work at all.)
You know, other people who’ve been doing this a while look like they have it all figured out – like conversations just flow out of them. Some people, including some business associates, family, and friends, may say absolutely terrible things, too. Hovering over their post, you’ll see an option to hide their posts or even block them from showing up.
How Do I Talk to Other People I Know; Can They Just See My Updates?
People you talk with more frequently will see your recent updates, and they can respond and you can respond right back. It’s a good idea to get off your own page, though, and use the search bar at the top of the page to look for your friends, other businesses you know, and relatives. When you find them, you’ll be able to send invitations to your business page and friend requests for your personal page.
After you’ve connected, look for your ‘Friends’ tab at the top of your page. Any time you want to communicate with someone you know, simply click on their name and you’ll be on their page. From time to time, Facebook will show you suggestions of friends you may want to add, too.
Listen, if you’re not a frequent Facebook user, just get started being who you are. It’s not a hostile environment, and being active there will help your business be proactive in your community.
That really and truly matters!
What do you struggle with on Facebook? What’s keeping you from engaging? Tell us about it in the comments, with people who won’t judge you, and want to help you along!
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