From the “Facebook Marketing Tips and Techniques” course, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors Northwest Austin
Jeff Winger, a character on the sitcom Community played by Joel McHale, once said in an episode: “for your information, I don’t have an ego. My Facebook picture is a landscape.”
It was ironic commentary and a hits-close-to-home reference in our Facebook-obsessed culture. But it brings up a few points. The people with landscape Facebook profile pictures, are they ego-less or is there something else to it? In the world of marketing, often obsessed with image, a nondescript Facebook photo is probably a mistake. Facebook, used well, is an opportunity for internet marketing and personal branding. Since the Facebook profile picture may be the first a thing visitor sees, it is the most important opportunity of all.
Mistake #1: Being impersonal
If you use a picture of your cat, your garden, or your sandy feet in Cabo San Lucas, no one is going to know if you are you. Even if you’re the only person on Facebook with your unique name, an old classmate, acquaintance or client will probably feel uncomfortable sending a note or request to Felix or Garfield.
This is fine if you have a Facebook page that’s just for close friends, and you want to keep it personal. However, if you’re a person running a business, and especially if you have a webpage with your face on that, you’re missing your marketing opportunity. You just are.
Mistake #2: Being too personal
Did you know people can search on Facebook by your name or your email address? I always prefer to use the latter, since it’s completely unique and precise. I know many people feel that if they don’t share their Facebook page, no one can find them. So their pictures are, well…a little TOO personal.
The rule of thumb is, don’t share anything on Facebook that you wouldn’t mind the world to see. There are cases of people getting fired or worse for badmouthing their boss, putting up drunken party pictures, etc. You never know who might share something with whom. So just resist the urge – be personal, but look professional.
Mistake #3: Missing your branding opportunity
If you are the figurehead of the company, perhaps you wonder how to get both your personal branding and your company branding on Facebook? Here’s a simple trick: a simple picture editing program on your computer can add your logo or company name to your picture. It’s simple!
I’d love to see you on Facebook. Please join us there!
