Setting up a Facebook Page

I thought I'd quickly go through, for those that are just getting started, how to set up you Facebook page. So if you have already done this, you are already a step ahead.



The first step is to go to the link below, which will bring you to a page that looks like this:
https://www.facebook.com/

Fill out the form and then you have to decide whether you want to have a personal account or a business account or both. If this is strictly for business, my suggestion would be to just apply for your business one. That however is your call.

At the bottom of that first page there is a "create a page" if you decide to go the business route and that will bring you to the below page.

I've also included a link below that will help answer some questions you may have.

http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=167124440013852

Setting up a Facebook page isn't all that hard and if you get stuck or don't know what to do- just ask- either myself or really anyone and you'll start to see how helpful people can be.

I would encourage you to read through all the options and setting up your privacy controls but everyone has different feeling to these and that is totally up to you.

Please also remember that your name, photo, information etc should be the same across every platform that you will use so choose them carefully. Consistency is key.

Take your time. You may even want to set aside a period of time, where that is all you do so that you give it your full attention.

Stuck? Just ask -its part of the process of being connected to a larger community and I think you'll be amazed.

Friday we'll take a look at Twitter- That's even easier.

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A Social Media Starter Quiz

Here's a little easy, or at least I think it's easy, Quiz on Social Media. Maybe it will get you thinking down the right path or just make you think. Answers are at the bottom and no cheating- I can tell!

A. I want to do Social Media because..

1. Actually I don't want to. I have too much to do and don't get it.
2. I think it will help my sales and bottom line.
3. People have told me I should so what the heck, I'll try it.
4. I want to build relationships and a community of friends.

B. Social Media is easy to do and all you have to do is..

1. Set up a Twitter account and post a sales pitch. I can automate that right?
2. Set up a Facebook page and tell people why they should buy my products or services.
3. Set up a blog and write about the benefits of my product or service.
4. None of the above

C. Social Media is all about..


1. Making relationships and connections.
2. Being social with others
3. Learning and helping.
4. None of the above.
5. All of the above.

D. Social Media seems to be...

1. Easy to do.
2. Something that anyone can do. Everyone says so.
3. Something that doesn't take much thought or knowledge. You just post things.
4. Something that takes a great deal of time, knowledge ,direction and focus.


E. Doing Social Media doesn't take that much time right?


1. True
2. False


F. I want to take part in Social Media, and I think it is important, but I don't understand it or how to participate in it so...


1. I'm going to learn as much as I can to get going.
2. I plan on asking others for help.
3. I know it will take time to develop but I think it's worth it.
4. I understand that social media is about building relationships and not selling my product.
5. I'm ready to start.
6. All of the above



See how easy that was! Oh the answers. That's easy too.

The correct answer was the last of each option.



How did you do?  


Are you ready to participate in Social Media?


If so please sign up for our automatic email on the right column and then you'll get every post.

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Social Media4Builders- the starting point.

To start off I have started this blog as way for others to learn about social media. This blog will be just about social media.

Now I have directed this towards builders but in fact it can and will have useful information that will be pertinent to anyone looking to start or expand their social media presence. You may be a builder or a plumber or a supply company or...but no matter what you do, the principles are the same.

We will discuss how to get started and setting up your accounts, (Twitter, Facebook and more), how to use those accounts, how to set up a blog and more. I will try to impress upon you that social media is about being SOCIAL, it is not about selling so if that's your thinking, it won't work.

I would also ask you to sign up on the right bar to subscribe by email so that you don't miss any posts but of course that is up to you. I find that method the easiest - they come right to my e-mail box.

Below is a post from my other blog- BuildingBlox ( http://thebuildingblox.blogspot.com/) That Blog has great articles about all things construction plus my 2 cents worth here and there. I posted yesterday  on BuildingBlox about Social Media and that is a great starting point so I thought I would re-post it here too:

Does Every Business need to be doing Social Media?

Well if you have been reading my posts you will probably assume that I am going to say Yes. However my answer is NO.

Let's look at four issues that you should question and examine. These are pertinent if you are in the construction/ building field, as I am, or the maker of cup cakes or really any business come to think of it.

Here's my reasoning:
1. Do you have a reason that you are trying to use Social Media (SoMe) for your business? Is there a goal or a plan?
2. Will you be able to devote enough time and energy to make it successful?
3. What do you think SoMe will be able to do for your business?
4. Do you think you'll make a website or blog, get a Twitter account and a Facebook page and customers will just flock to your door?

Now let's examine these 4 items:

1. Do you have a goal or plan or have you heard that "you need to be on Twitter and Facebook etc" so you just think you should. Everyone says I should so why not. YOU need a plan or goal and without that you are wasting your time. What do you hope to accomplish? Did you open your business and just say "well let's see what happens?" I would doubt it so why would you start into SoMe without a path?

2. Using SoMe isn't something you can do as a here and there, once in a awhile thing. It takes effort, time, focus and interaction with your friends and followers. Did you make all your friends in the first meeting with them. Probably not. Friendships develop over time through interaction and communication. It's not a one way street where you blast out content and expect people to continually read/listen to what you have to say. That doesn't work.

3. If your view is that once you set up your SoMe presence, people and customers will just start a steady stream to your sites and shop... You are sadly mistaken. It doesn't and won't work. You need to stop and examine #1 again.

4. Using these different mediums has enormous potential but they need to be used correctly and they need to be focused and worked on consistently. If your blog is going to be once a week, then make sure it is done EVERY week. If you are going to use Twitter then make an effort to interact and develop friends- don't blast your sales pitch/ product, it's a social network not the sales network.

So with the above points made: Should every business be part of Social Media? Absolutely! Yes, unless you can't honestly answer #1-4 and then you really shouldn't. You will be wasting your time.


These are just some of the things you should consider if you are thinking of jumping into Social Media. My best advice is to ask, observe, participate and learn. But don't just jump in and hope.

So with that please feel free to drop us a note, ask a question or anything that may be helpful to you and others.

Todd

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