Facebook Networking—Branding Yourself Online as Friend, Fan or Flake

One of the simplest and quickest ways of branding yourself online is through social media platforms such as Facebook. Originally designed by and for college students, this networking website now boasts more than 300 million active users worldwide. Unique options such as the capability to add friends, and fans, are especially useful. The following information will be some basics for beginners.

 
Getting started:
 

• Sign up at Facebook.com
• Complete your profile information. (It’s not necessary to finish it all right now)
• Add profile picture making sure it is a quality representation.
• Begin to invite friends.

 
You can search for friends in numerous ways. Search for people by name, an industry, by interests, etc. You don’t have to personally know someone to invite them as a friend or accept a friend request.
 
It’s a good idea to check out a new friend’s profile just to be cautious. Also, use some reservation with your profile and information. It’s all viewable.
 
Hints: Facebook friends are for social networking and not for sales pitching. It’s O.K. to share valuable content of interest, but no selling. Save the business for your business page.
 
Setting up a Business Page:
 

• Sign up at Facebook.com/business
• Complete all basic information. (It’s not necessary to finish it all right now)
• Add logo or profile picture.
• Suggest fans. (Business page friends)

 
Hint: To get started quickly, invite from your friend list where appropriate.
 
Even though your main focus is branding yourself online, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun. Just keep in mind your original purpose or you can spend a lot of time playing games.
 
The website is fairly easy to navigate and the more you use it and participate the more you will discover. Some applications will give you greater exposure and some won’t.
 
Basic use and strategy:
 

• Leave messages on friend’s wall.
• Leave messages on your profile page and business page.
• Post content: Blog posts, quotes, article links, videos, etc.
• Join groups and Fan pages.
• Brand yourself through shared content.

 
Content can be anything by anybody. It should, of course, be interesting and targeted. Your selection and sharing of content will help you brand yourself.
 
If done correctly you will create the perception of yourself as a knowledgeable leader and a valuable mentor. You will be the one that others want to befriend.
 
Getting branded as a “flake”:
 

• Repeating the same message constantly.
• Sending messages every few seconds.
• Using hard sell tactics.
• Abusing friends and fans with any type of poor conduct.

 
Abusive “flakes” ruin their reputation and can easily be removed from friend or fan lists. It’s not that hard to be a friend or a fan. Just use a little common sense and consideration.
 
Branding yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s really just a matter of creating a perception by marketing who and what you are. Perception, as they say, is reality.
 
My name is Gerrald Hendrix (Jerry). I am an internet entrepreneur marketing wealth creation, education and management products and services. I am one of a team of marketers teaching others how to be successful in challenging times. For more information about me and what I do see: GerraldHendrixMyHistory