FaceBook Don'ts

There are some very simple things you can do for your business to help you build credibility and develop trust among your readers, members and customers.

For more information on building business credibility read “Building Trust Through Credibility”.

Using FaceBook and other social networking sites to promote your business is an absolute must. Social networking sites offer an invaluable resource for readers, members and potential customers that are extremely targeted. However, if you are using FaceBook to promote your business, there are certain things that can easily undo all of the hard work you have put into building business credibility, and it can happen in a matter of minutes.

Here are some things that you definitely want to avoid in order to save Face:

1.Spamming people’s inboxes and wall: Sending unsolicited messages to people’s inboxes and walls is considered spamming. Just like in the real world, spamming on FaceBook is frowned upon. Spamming and sending random messages to inboxes will not only cause you to lose credibility, it can also get you banned from FaceBook. FaceBook tries to keep a real sharp eye out for spammers and members who post the same message on multiple pages. According to the rules and regulations, FaceBook has the right to suspend or terminate your account if these terms are not met. FaceBook is the best social networking site on the Internet and it is important to keep it in its current, clean, spam free state, so that it remains a useful and valuable tool for everyone who uses it.

2. Posting a message on someone’s wall with the sole purpose of linking to you site: Posting direct links on people’s walls and inboxes makes you look desperate and unprofessional. Instead of posting your links on someone else’s page, post comments on existing posts of interest, which will lead readers back to your profile page. Another way to draw a response would be to join relevant groups of interest and post articles and useful information, such as this article. This would get readers to visit your profile page, which would obviously link back to your site.

3. Keep your profile professional: While you want to connect with your readers on a human level, you want to make sure you don’t get overly personal. This is especially true with pictures and videos. Although we all want to be friends and network, it is important that your network understands that you are a business first and foremost. You are trying to build business credibility and it is important to run your marketing campaign in that same manner.

4. FaceBook applications are silly: Avoid using and installing an abundance of silly FaceBook applications. Some of the applications provided from FaceBook are actually pretty fun to use. Unfortunately they clutter up your profile page and distract your readers and customers from what they are really there to do. Again, your main focus should be to get your readers to find out about your business and that is a lot easier if they are not distracted by all of the bells and whistles.

5. Pick your battles: From time to time, you are going to find yourself disagreeing with somebody while you are using FaceBook as a business tool. Believe it or not cyber-bullies do exist and they are on FaceBook. Try to avoid cyber-wars with anyone on FaceBook. If someone is overly offensive and or negative, just simply block him or her and delete him or her from your friends list. It is much easier than having an all out war. Bullies come and go, but your business is here to stay.

Above all, use good common sense. Always consider your customers, your potential customers, business contacts, and potential business contacts before you act – or before you hit a submit button.

If you follow these no-no rules, you will almost always be just fine on FaceBook.
Enjoy this wonderful resource for business and you will make a lot of great contact and build relationships that can last a lifetime.