| Online business owners increasingly realize the | | | | "We are connected on Twitter," or, "We have 67 |
| importance of creating a presence with social media. | | | | Facebook friends in common, so I thought you might |
| Creating contacts through Facebook friends can lead | | | | like to connect." It's important to show that your |
| to profitable business relationships, opportunities and | | | | friends are linked by Facebook; some Facebook |
| ideas. Creating a network seems so easy that many | | | | users still regard friends as personal, while online |
| business owners don't take time to strategize. When | | | | marketers tend to use Facebook strategically. |
| you are seeking new Friends on Facebook, it's easy | | | | Even when you send a message, your recipient |
| to find a photo, click on the "add as friend" link, and | | | | probably will visit your Facebook home page and look |
| move on. You can do this as often as Facebook's | | | | for your bio. You have just a few sentences below |
| rules will allow. Some people will say "yes." | | | | your picture, based on the current layout. |
| The problem is that currently you are limited to a | | | | Make sure your bio gives your potential friend a basis |
| certain number of Friends on Facebook. As people | | | | for deciding how to respond to your friend request. |
| get close to the limit, they become more cautious | | | | All too often we see bios with vague descriptions, |
| about accepting friend requests. Increasingly, | | | | like, "Lover of nature, mom of two." Even worse, we |
| marketers who use Facebook for business begin | | | | might see a quote from a famous guru that doesn't |
| evaluating requests when they have just a few | | | | give a clue as to what you're about. |
| friends. They realize that, when they reach the limit, | | | | Clarify whether your Facebook presence is business |
| they will have to go back and screen Friends to see | | | | or personal. If business, share some information |
| if they can remove those who are not a good fit. | | | | about what you do, so potential friends understand |
| That's a time-consuming, thankless task. So many | | | | how they might relate. Will they be prospects, |
| decide they'll do their screening up front and err on | | | | suppliers, friendly competitors or consultants to you? |
| the side of caution. | | | | Are they interested in learning more about your |
| Therefore, you need to accompany your friend | | | | business? Is there some element of your business |
| request with a message. Even a short message | | | | (e.g., faith-based or MLM) that might make you |
| communicates, "I'm not just randomly sending around | | | | especially desirable as a Facebook friend? Even more |
| requests for friends. I have a reason for choosing to | | | | important, these qualities help screen out potential |
| connect with you, specifically." | | | | friends with value differences that are too great to |
| Ideally, you will create a message that's customized | | | | allow a partnership. |
| to the recipient. Your message can be as simple as, | | | | |