Tuesday Tips: Page, Not Profile

Today's tip is something I've mentioned repeatedly, but this time I'm going to source an expert in social media management on it.

“If you’re using Facebook, make sure you've got a Facebook PAGE and not a profile!” -- Kim Walker, Leader of Social Media Management, 5 Stones Media, LLC @5stonesmedia

Too often I see people creating and using (for years) facebook profiles for their business.  A couple of my local shops are the most guilty of this and have yet to realize that when Facebook goes through it's cleansing and sees it, they may lose their profile and their followers (or really friends in this case) and have to start all over from scratch.

To put it simply.  A Facebook profile is about you as a person and your connections to your friends, co-workers, family and acquaintances.  A Facebook page is for fans of a book/author/brand, or for a brand to market and sell things, for a business or restaurant.  Profiles should NEVER be used for these things as it muddies the water and makes things confusing.

For those new to social media who may have friends they follow that are using profiles for their business, this is an important lesson for them.  They may think that since this company is doing it, they can do it too.  Do not be lulled by that idea.  Do it right.

Facebook pages offer more insight into what people want, what they engage with and like better than a profile will ever give you.  Let's be honest, profiles don't offer any stats or insight as to who likes what and when and what generates engagement - these are all things you need to know when you're managing social media.

So today's advice is this: Even if it sounds like a good idea or you've seen other people doing it, don't create a profile for your brand or business.  Take the time to do it right and create a page.

Tuesday Tips are a series of tips released on Tuesday each week regarding a hint or tip to help you manage and market your Facebook presence better.  You can find all the Tuesday Tips by clicking on the Tuesday Tips tag below.