Ok, I joined FB about a month ago with the intent of networking for my business. Upon joining it quickly turned into reuniting with high school friends and old co-workers. I got so caught up that I completely lost focus on the original goal.

My question...is it OK to use my FB account for business networking too? There's nothing on my page/profile that's questionable. 99% of my "friends" are actually family members & high school associates. Do you all use your FB accounts for both personal and business connections?


I'm under

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...58772&ref=name

I created a business page that I pass to networking and business "friends". I use my account for both but as always am careful what I post. I have become pretty boring as I get older so there really is no issue there (lol).

When having a discussion with a business consult client they agreed that being "virtual" it is nice to see the personal side of me since we never meet in person.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

My FB page started out personal. Although there isn't anything bad on there, I'm still choosy as to which clients will be able to see it. I did start a FB group though and am thinking about starting a page. these two things can be used to network professionally.

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Caroline Pigott
VIP Assistant Solutions

Well, at the moment I don't have my FB account because of the same reason. One more thing, I will probably create two different accounts in different languages. Still working on the idea how this suppose to look like..

I have a facebook and I'm slightly iffy about making it more business than personal, though I'm not sure. I can see how it would be beneficial to get to know clients 'outside of work', but I guess I just see it as something too personal, since that's how I keep in touch with much of my family and long distance friends.

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My fb profile is personal, but I created a biz page for networking. I don't want my profile showing up in searches, but I think the biz pages have to remain public, so it makes more sense to me to use the page for biz purposes anyhow, & I can direct any client or potential client there without thinking twice. Just how I prefer it... (btw - I'll just say that my personal profile doesn't have anything I'd be ashamed to share so that's not my reason - I just think there needs to be a separation, & that's worked well for me. To each his own though, of course...)

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shana
www.shanafore.com

I also have a FB page that I use for business and personal. Although I would recommend a business or fan page to bring out your professioanalism of your business.

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Dawn Pigoni
Social Media Virtual Assistant

Thanks for your feedback. I have since connected (through FB) with some of you. I figured out how to add my "professional page" to my profile and will begin to population it with information.

Sharice
The Savvy Admin

I have my FB profile and my business page. But I also find that many business contacts will want to connect with me as a Friend and that's fine with me. I keep it pretty tame on my personal profile and in the true spirit of social media & networking, it is about making the connections and engageing with each other as real people. I find that people are interested in knowing more about my personality and life (but not to the extent that it invades my privacy) and that part of what using FB is about. If you are all business, all the time, many will get bored with seeing your updates or posted links & notes and may just set it so they don't see your updates all in their news feed which defeats the purpose of using FB in some ways.

Also, you can accept anyone you want as a friend and then adjust your privacy settings to only allow a select group of people to see what you want them to see in your profile or in your news feed. If anyone needs help with how to do this, let me know. I had it set up so at one time so that only a group of close friends that I chose could see my status updates and other info. I've since changed that since I believe so much of using social media platforms for networking is really about the transparency.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

My facebook page is both. I don't have the time to keep up two. My friends find me on there and clients/colleagues find me. I have a life, I am selective about what I write on there but anything I put both can see. I am professional with my clients but I also need them to know that I'm a real person.

I do ignore all the applications that people (friends mostly) send me. I don't need gifts or things growing on my facebook page.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

Originally Posted by lanelt

My facebook page is both. I don't have the time to keep up two. My friends find me on there and clients/colleagues find me. I have a life, I am selective about what I write on there but anything I put both can see. I am professional with my clients but I also need them to know that I'm a real person. I do ignore all the applications that people (friends mostly) send me. I don't need gifts or things growing on my facebook page.

I'm not a fan of the applications just because I'm always worried about spyware and letting something into my information. I've had to get rid of so many email accounts because of spammers, I don't want to get rid of another one!

I'll need to look into creating a business page, though.

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I've created business pages for both of my business, but I can't figure out how to invite people to the page. I know I did it when I initially set it up, but I don't see option to continuously do it.. I'm stuck and quite frustrasted actually. I need to take some time with it over the next few days. I do like my business. page though I just want to be able to use it more. It even tells you how many people visit -- kinda like google analytics but with much less detail.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

I am torn, I have a facebook page used to keep in touch with my large (and I mean enormous) family but would it work as a good tool for the VA business as well. I think for now I'd rather keep them separate. IMHO

Bernice
Newbie

Originally Posted by Administrative Partners

I've created business pages for both of my business, but I can't figure out how to invite people to the page. I know I did it when I initially set it up, but I don't see option to continuously do it.. I'm stuck and quite frustrasted actually.

I *think* if you visit your business page, there should be a "share" link near the top right area, above the list of fans - & you can just click that & enter email addresses, or friend names, to share your page with. (basically "inviting" them.) HTH!

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shana
www.shanafore.com

I originally signed up to Facebook for my business - but I have reconnected with so many friends I have not seen in years - I have decided to look into something else!

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Bridget Janiak
www.OrganizedVirtualAssistance.com