Things You’re Doing On Facebook That Are Killing Your Business – Part 1

As I sit here writing this post about the things you’re doing on Facebook that are killing your business, I realized that I’d probably never really itemize a complete list.

It would be an unending task.

There are so many different things that a majority of people do on a daily or even hourly basis that are killing their image, brand, and therefore their business.

Some of them, they probably don’t even know you’re doing.

It’s just something that comes so natural to you, you just think it’s o.k. to do, so you keep doing it.

And no one’s taken the time to tell you it’s killing your image and brand.

That is…until now (wink, wink).

You know that Facebook is awesome!

And even though you can use it to market business opportunities, you have to do it very passively and rarely.

Facebook is about ongoing updates, recognition, networking, establishing trust, and most
importantly… BONDING.

Your #1 goal is for people to LIKE YOU.

1.  First Impressions

Think about it, when you first meet someone, what’s the first thing they see?

Your face right?

So if you’re on FACEbook, why are you hiding behind a company logo or cartoon character on your profile?

Do you really think someone is going to take you seriously with a picture of Tweetybird or Pac-man as a profile picture?

Might I suggest that you add an actual picture of you for your profile pic?

It doesn’t have to be a professional pic.  Just be natural and be you.

2.  Pitching People on Their Profile

This one really gets me – for a  few reasons.

There’s 2 parts to this:  1. When you first network with someone, and 2. After you’ve already networked with someone for an extended period of time.

It states “Amateur” and reeks of unprofessionalism.

If I get those messages on my profile, I warn the friend that I will not accept that activity on my profile, and if it happens again I will delete their profile from my list.  (fyi, I’ve only had to do this once so far…)

Perry Belcher put it best when he stated that people need to treat social networking like a dinner party.  When you go up to meet someone for the first time at a dinner party do you say, “Hi, My name’s Jeff, and I work for “MLM company X”, do you want to join me in my business?”

Hell no!

You simply build that relationship and get to know the person.  If you build that relationship with them, you gain their trust and respect.

So why aren’t you trying this in Facebook?

Instead try something witty or off the wall like, “Hey Cindy, glad to connect with ya here on Facebook.  Let me buy you a coffee!  Wait, no that only works in person.  Dang…let me check my notes on what to say here.”

I guarantee that will get you better responses than “Hi Cindy, glad to connect with you here on Facebook.  I’m looking forward to getting to know you.” blah blah blah…

Stand out from the crowd!

3.  Pitching Me on A Friend Invite

This is WORSE than #2.

If I get a friend request with a message in it pitching me on a business opp., I automatically decline that friendship.

If more people start doing that, I’m willing to bet that we start to see that activity cease.

Instead, leave a message saying, “Brian, simply wanted to connect with you here on FB ’cause you look awesome in your profile pic – meaning you seem like a real person.  Lets connect and see where this goes.”

Again, this will elicit a response.

4.  Not Replying to Messages or Comments

This is just dropping the ball and missing out on potential money.

And I’ll admit, I’m guilty of from time to time. But, I’m trying to do better.

See, when you look at Facebook, it’s all about networking.

So when you post a blog feed on your profile, and someone takes the time to comment on it, their network sees it.

When they go to see the full commentary, they’re expecting to see you involved in the commentary.

The more you’re involved and trusted for the content you’re producing, or replying to comments that people see on your profile, the more you’re trusted.

In a way, it’s like giving you a referral to their friend network, which means more eyes on you.

The same thing can be said of replying to messages.  Granted, their one on one.  But it’s still letting people know that you’re real.

Are You Killng Your Brand with Your Facebook Marketing Habits?

Apparently, I have a  little to say on this topic, with some good ideas to help change the bad habits around.

All that I ask now is that you click the little green “Retweet” and blue “Facebook Share” button at the top of this article.

If you liked “Things You’re Doing On Facebook That Are Killing Your Business″, you will want to go and read Part 2 which is now posted on my blog to make sure you're still not killing your brand with other crazy mistakes.

Let your friends also know some things that might also be killing their business.  They’ll thank you for it in the long run!

Leaving No Network Marketer Behind,