We have started writing a daily t
ip in our notes section on our Facebook page that hopefully will start to answer all those FAQs that crop up when you set up a business page on Facebook. If there is anything in particular that you would like to see covered do give me a shout and I will create a post for them, if you have any valuable information that you think could also help others then please let me know.
Tip #1 | your business should be a page not a person
The golden rule with Facebook and business pages is that you have to have a personal profile in order to set up a fan page or a business page.
Dont worry, anyone becoming a fan will not have automatic access to your personal information, neither will they know it is you that runs the business page unless you really want them to.
So, make sure you sign up for Facebook as a person first, jump through those Facebook hoops and then, click the Create a Page link that appears in blue at the bottom of every page on Facebook.
Tip #2 | get a clutter free FB url
As soon as you can get a ‘vanity’ url from Facebook. So what do I mean about a vanity url? When you first set up your business page you will see that the web address will be something like http://www.facebook.com/pages/yourbusinessname/12689020931232 or something very similar.
In an ideal world you want this url to be http://www.facebook.com/pages/yourbusinessname and as long as no one else has chosen the same name then you can have it as long as 25 or more people ‘like’ your new Facebook page.
So how do you do this:
1. Go to your business page and click Edit Page at the top right
2. Go to basic info on the left hand navigation
3. Select the 2nd option down Username
4. As long as you have 25 or more people ‘liking’ your page then you will have the option to choose your username. Ideally you want to choose your business name or a search phrase relevant to your business. Keep it as short and snappy as possible otherwise you will be continually typing out a long url!
Tip # 3 | be your business not yourself
Post comments as your business rather than as yourself.  Facebook recently listened to business page owners and agreed that its all very well having your own business page, but that posting onto other pages we wanted to be seen as a business rather than as a person.
So, in order to post on other business walls and on your personal friends walls (you cant post onto people you dont know unless they have allowed this in their privacy settings) then all you have to do is:
1. Click the Account tab on the top right of the page
2. Click use Facebook as a page from the drop down list
3. Select the business page you want to be and click switch
Now when you post on anyones wall you will posting as your business name rather than your personal name.
Tip # 4 | sometimes you want to post as yourself on your business wall
You can still post as yourself on your business wall as long as you have unchecked a particular box.
Now and again you will want to post something on your business wall, maybe something of a more personal nature, or comment on a business post you placed and unless you uncheck a box it doesnt matter whether you are logged in as your business or logged in as yourself you will still post as your business name…. confused? Dont be!
All you have to do is:
1. Make sure you are logged in as your business (Account – use Facebook as a page)
2. Click the Edit page button at the top right of your profile
3. Click the Your Settings link at the top of the left hand navigation
4. Untick the Posting Preferences box at the top of the screen
Now you will be able to post on your own business wall as yourself when you are logged in as your personal profile. It should be noted that when you are Using Facebook as a Page you will ALWAYS post as the business.
Tip #5 | your page profile image has to say who and what you do
Take advantage of the maximum size available for FB pages profile pics, the max profile image size is 180 pixels by 540 pixels and if you have photoshop skills then add your website address, telephone number and other contact info or service info as long as you dont make it look too cluttered.
However, once you have uploaded your new extra large profile picture you will notice that your ‘thumbnail’ image may be a bit off centre or may miss your logo completely. Don’t worry this is easily fixable:
1. Click on edit page at the top right of the page
2. At the bottom of your profile picture there is an option to edit thumbnail
3. Click on the thumbnail and with your mouse move it so that it is on the area of your profile picture that you would like displayed.
So, there ends this week’s FB tips – watch out for next week’s tips!
There has been a lot in the news recently about whether Facebook is on the decline. The main number being bandied about is that 100,000 users closed their accounts in May 2011 in the UK. Well in my opinion, these numbers need to be taken with a pinch of salt.
We have just emailed a huge list of businesses within the Cairngorm National Park asking them to 