Importance of a Facebook Business Page

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at 2:30 pm

You use Facebook to connect with high school friends, but should you use Facebook for business purposes? Absolutely!

Facebook is one of the ways we connect with each other. When we need a product or service, we ask our friends and family- so you want to be on Facebook when someone needs a counselor or other mental health service.

Business Page versus Group or Fan Page

If you have a local presence, you want to create a local business page. Local business pages show up in a Google search (fan pages, such as Groups- do not show up in a Google search.)

Configure it so that when you post on the account, you are speaking as your business not you (Don’t worry that the account is connected to your name, that doesn’t mean people can see your personal posts.)

Update your Personal Settings- and consider a Public Figure Profile

Although people who “like” your business page can’t read your personal posts, it’s still a good idea to “cloak” your personal photos and think about your posts before you put something on Facebook. People will naturally want to friend the personal profile, so it’s up to you to redirect them to the business page, or ignore their requests.

You may also want to consider turning your personal profile into a public figure. That way, you can recreate another personal profile, with only your intimate family and friends. If you do this- make sure you write down all the people you want to refriend, so you can send them an invitation to your new personal profile.

Claim any other listings of your business on Facebook

Sometimes Facebook will create your listing for you- but it’s very empty and blank. It’s important for you to claim this page, as your own, and merge it with your business page.

Tips for a Successful Facebook Business Page

Complete all the information, every single line!
Add photos, videos
Post at least twice a week
Once you reach 25 followers – you an create a username for your Facebook page (without all the numbers behind your name.)
Engage with your audience- ask questions, and respond
The most popular posts on Facebook are: funny, engaging, controversial, interesting
Facts are OK, but mix your post with other interesting things- it doesn’t always have to be serious.

HIPAA and Facebook

You don’t want to discuss a client’s personal situation on Facebook
Encourage clients to contact you directly to change an appointment or discuss an issue
You can configure your business account where clients can’t post to your business page (Unless you want to open it up, briefly, for a particular topic.)

There are many other tips to a successful Facebook page, but for the beginner, this is a good start. For more information on how to use social media to reach more clients, and increase your income, check out the Save The Shrink Free information webinar on our next upcoming course!

Talk to you soon!

~Shirley

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Tagged with: Facebook business page • save the shrink

Filed under: Facebook • Social Media

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