Facebook is an amazing tool and when used properly, it can be a great resource for business.
Most social media experts will agree it is very easy to lose business using Facebook, too. SCORE consulted with a few local experts on common mistakes you want to avoid.
1. Be sure your Facebook profile is complete with all of your contact data. When potential clients are trying to contact you, they need the correct information.
2. Some people abuse the Facebook โtaggingโ feature, tagging multiple people in posts or private messages in an attempt to get more exposure. It is one of the fastest ways to destroy your online reputation.
3. Avoid posting about sensitive subjects like politics and religion. You might attract a few people who share your position, but you might alienate more.
4. Do not copy and paste the same post in multiple related groups at the same time; you can be perceived as a spammer. To be more effective, schedule the posts for different times using a tool like Hootsuite.
5. People form an opinion based on the pictures you post. Do not post photos that create a negative impression of you or your company. A good example is an evening of excessive drinking with friends.
6. Respond quickly when people tag you in a referral or post comments on your page. Set up notifications to email or text you when important things happen on Facebook.
7. Do not respond defensively to online reviews or negative posts. Instead, take the high road, even when the client is wrong, and offer to find a solution.
8. If someone sends you a client, do not thank them publicly on Facebook without permission. Example: a Realtor thanked a lender for a buyer referral on Facebook. A few Realtors who worked with the lender saw the post and were upset they were not considered for the referral. They immediately stopped sending business to the lender.
Avoiding these common mistakes will help you get more business from Facebook.
