How to Use Your Personal Facebook For Business - Promotion (Part 2 of 3)

Last week, we talked about customizing your personal Facebook page for business. If you’re ready to start promoting, here are a few steps to help spread the word about your business-ready page – and your business!

1. Make a Custom URL

A custom URL (http://www.facebook.com/socialpbj) is a good way to connect your Facebook profile to communications and other company media. Here’s how to create one:

• On your home page (News Feed), click on Account in the upper right corner. Then, click on Account Settings. When you click on Edit to the right of Username, a new field will appear.

• Type your desired username in the field. Because your page is business-related, consider using your name or something related to your industry.

• If your name isn’t available, a red X will appear. If it is, you’ll get a green check mark. When you’ve settled on a name, click on the Save Changes button.

You’ve just created your own Facebook URL! Now, here’s what to do with it.

2. Incorporate Your URL

Ready for new business cards? Be sure to include your Facebook URL in the next run. Printing brochures, pamphlets, and press kits? Make sure the URL for your personal page is listed right alongside the address for your company page. Finally, add your custom URL to your email signature.

Every email and brochure now gives business prospects an option to connect with you directly. This is particularly useful if someone may not be interested in learning about your company right now. If they like you personally, they can still join your network, and you never know who they might know.

3. Share Business Updates and Useful Articles

Did you already organize your friends? If yes, it’s time to start promoting!

• On your Profile, choose the type of content you want to share (e.g., Status, Link). After typing in your status update or attaching your link, a padlock will appear next to the Share button.

• Click on the padlock. Then, click on Customize. A new box will open.

• Under “Make this visible to,” click on the dropdown menu next to “These people." Click on “Specific People…” A new field will appear.

• Type the name of the list or lists (e.g., Business, Potential Clients) you want to share your content with. Then, under “Hide this from,” type the names of the lists you want to hide your content from…just to be safe.

• Click on Save Setting, hit the Share button, and you’re done! Only your business contacts will see what you shared.

Conversely, this works for personal updates, too. If you want to share vacation photos with people close to you, make the album visible to your Personal list and hide it from everyone else.

Congratulations! Your Facebook profile is in business! Check back next week for more tips on maintaining your Facebook page.

Questions? Comments? Find us on Facebook and let us know!