Posted by Nelly Roach
in Facebook, Social Media
January 10, 2012

I was a late bloomer on Facebook. While others were sharing their manic Mondays, pictures of their pets and what they were eating for lunch, I was busy trying to build a business. I remember the day that I had an “Aha!” moment when a Facebook friend asked if anyone knew anything about St. Augustine, Florida as they were considering purchasing a second home. First, I thought – “Wow! You can buy a second home?” And second – I had something to contribute because I had been there twice that year and loved it.

I then started asking questions of my own – “Looking for a good vacation read. Any suggestion?” The quantity and quality of responses came in fast and furious. In the next months, I dabbled with LinkedIn and Twitter, but I found myself back on Facebook because it was where I felt like I could connect and contribute. It was amazing! Lots of likes and comments. Did I mention I was busy trying to build a business? I had to kill two birds with one stone. In the months ahead I gained more business on Facebook than I did anywhere else. Not because I sold my services or products on Facebook, but because I developed some rules that allowed those who didn’t really know me the opportunity to get to know me.

My Facebook rules:

1. Talk about things that are important to you. Controversial or not. This allows people to really get to know you.

2. Truly be yourself. Everyone that knows me understands my faith, my family and my friends are what’s important and that doesn’t change outside of Facebook. You can’t be everything to everyone personally or in business. When others know your boundaries they’re less likely to violate those boundaries.

3. Be an evangelist of good things. Spread good news.

4. Easy on the random comments. Leave what you’re eating off your page unless your spreading goodwill on a restaurant or your known for your cooking.

5. Ask questions that will engage your friends for ways to get info. “Is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo an awesome movie? … Go!”

6. Be a resource. Talk about the subjects you know in a way that is not boastful, but confident and knowledgable.

7. No need to be funny. No need to be the smartest person ever. Just be genuine and truthful.

It’s really easy to spot a person who is posting something just to see if they’ll get likes and comments. It’s just as awkward and obvious on Facebook as it is at a party. I’ve had several friends turn into clients because they said they made correct assumptions about my character and work ethic based on my Facebook post, and it prompted them to call me. People do business with people they like. Some would say that a person and the way a person runs a business could/should be totally different. I for one believe you are who you are – in business or at home.

What are some of your Facebook rules?

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