With Facebook now exceeding over 350M users, the biggest question swarming is “Why not have a Facebook page?”
This video gives great statistics supporting the fact that social media is quickly evolving into one of the most powerful tools on the planet. However, if we don’t pause to consider our personal goals when using it, we really are wasting our time.
Whether you have 1500 “friends” on Facebook or are just thinking about opening an account; pause and consider these questions:
- Do you have one brand? (Do you feel comfortable with everyone knowing who you are at work and at home?)
- What are your personal goals? (Work for yourself, get a promotion, change industries?)
If your answer to question #1 is “no” then that’s why not to have a Facebook page. If you already have one and your answer is “no” then it’s likely you already have one brand whether you intended to or not.
It’s time to interpret the infamous Facebook question, “What’s on your mind?” as “What is your goal?” before typing anything into that text field. You can use this goal to navigate Facebook successfully.
It always amazes me when people say they don’t have a Facebook account because they don’t want people prying into their private lives. I think to myself, this is only a problem if you post pictures of yourself drunk on a toilet or friend someone who would. I refuse to believe the line of thinking that social networking is taking us down this path where we have no control over our own brand content.
We can maintain one brand on Facebook if we are clear on our goals and confident in who we are. Simple right?
Not so fast. Facebook is complicated because it’s ultimately about relationships and relationships are complicated. However, I do know that you can have great relationships if you are consistent and relevant.
Which brings me to question #2. If your goal is “to have fun,” then by all means, continue to play with the “farms” and participate in “mafia wars,” but remember this goal when you are making or accepting friend requests. Your goal should match your network of friends on Facebook. If you friended your boss and your co-workers but all you do is take quizzes and playing games, then your audience doesn’t match your goal and you could be damaging your brand.
Your Facebook profile is content produced by you for the pleasure of your viewing audience. You choose the content and your audience, so why not make them congruent?
Facebook is a great way to let others into your brand. What that brand is and who gets to see it is up to you. What’s your goal?
