In this article, Jackie speaks from
experience—and it shows! She built a large business from home and
online in a company that would normally be considered a “party
plan.” Her common sense approach and clear writing style will help
“newbies” as well as be a great reminder who those who may have
become lazy with their Facebook relationships. Janet
How many times
does it happen to you
(or do you
DO it?) You get a random friend
request from someone you don’t know; they have a picture of
their
dog; their
wall
is blocked from the public and
they
don’t send a personal
message saying why they want to
be friends?
ARGH!?! What is
up with that?
Facebook and
Social Media sites are NOT the place for Drive By connections! If you
want to use Facebook successfully for your business, here are 5 key
tips for making real connections with people.
1. Send a
personal message
2. Use
your REAL picture
3. Invest
time in making sure you are networking with people who share your
values
4. Keep
your wall clean
5. Engage
regularly
Tip #1
– Send a personal message.
If you don’t really know someone, and
you want them to accept you as a friend, take the time to make some
type of connection for them. Tell them why you are requesting their
friendship; tell them who and/or what you have in common; share
something about them that makes you interested in not just adding
them to your “posse” but connecting with and getting to know
them.
Tip #2
– Use a real picture.
You’ve probably heard this before, but is
it called FACEBOOK
for a reason. I don’t know about you, but I have no interest in
connecting with someone’s dog or bottle of juice in cyberspace.
That’s not a connection. You don’t have to be a supermodel; but
you do want to be smiling; dressed appropriately; and preferably by
yourself in the picture so we know with whom we are accepting a
connection.
Tip #3
– Invest time in making sure you are networking with people who
share your values.
Personally, I check out the profile and wall of
everyone who makes a friend request, and of those who I make friend
requests of. I’m not interested in profanity, your politics
(within reason) or how wasted you got in Vegas last weekend. And, I
am not interested in your Farmville, Mafia wars or Blingie things
either. What things will I see immediately on your wall or profile
that let me know we have things in common?
Tip #4
– Keep your wall clean.
People will make an immediate judgment and
evaluation of you within seconds of landing on your wall. What
impression do you want them to make?
If it’s filled with nothing but opportunity ads and game scores,
what do you suppose that perception is going to be? Your wall
represents you, every bit as much if not more than your picture.
Visit your wall regularly and make sure it is “representing” well
for you and that others aren’t cluttering it up, either.
Tip #5 –
Engage regularly. Adding a “friend” is one thing; developing
a friendship is another.
Make
it a point to get to know people. Send a personal message; visit the
profiles of friends regularly and just say hi; start a conversation;
get to know them. Your goal in social media marketing is to stand out
from the crowd; to be memorable; even more, to become unforgettable!
This is done by having a voice and engaging it with others!
Facebook is an
amazing tool for finding others; connecting and developing your
business when used correctly. I hope these tips have been useful.
