How to Use Facebook to Build Your Business

Facebook is a free social media service that connects people to a particular person or business. Using status updates consisting of short messages, Facebook allows users to share information quickly and easily. According to the "Vancouver Sun," as of September 2009, Facebook had 300 million users.

Things You'll Need

• Company information
• List of colleagues, business contacts, and potential clients

Instructions

1. Set up a separate Facebook account for your business. Personal Facebook accounts should not be used for business purposes. The account can be either the traditional account or a fan page; either is suitable for business use.

   Upload your company logo as the profile picture. Insert business information such as your website link, business description and other information related to the company in the appropriate profile sections.

2. Search for colleagues, business contacts and potential clients who have business Facebook pages and invite them to be friends on your company's Facebook page.

3. Begin creating regular status updates. Links, video and photos can be included in a status update, so this tool can be used to showcase new products, services or articles featured in the media.

4. Use Facebook to inform the industry of new clients, new products and articles that showcase the company. Updates from the company website are also viewed by the friends of your company's Facebook followers, and increase your exposure to individuals and groups who may have been previously unaware of the company and its services. This can result in increased inquiries.

5. Promote your company's Facebook page on your company website with links allowing people to join your Facebook page. Announce your company Facebook page in emails, newsletters and other company correspondence. As your company's Facebook friends increase in number, this can result in greater interest for the company's products and services.

Tips & Warnings

• Facebook allows for discussion streams, so take advantage of this tool to begin conversations on relevant industry changes or happenings. To increase the number of Facebook friends, join groups within the company's industry or related industries.

• If individuals on your contact list have only a personal Facebook page, it may not be suitable to invite those individuals to be friends of your company's Facebook page.

References

• Facebook
• Target Your Facebook Marketing Efforts
• Facebook Makes Money