FaceBook Marketing for Coaches

There is a lot to be learned in the world of FaceBook.  I started weeks ago and am just feeling like I understand what to do there.  I have attended several teleseminars on using FaceBook effectively in the past month and thought I should report in on some of what I have discovered to help you as you grow your coaching business.

The first thing to remember about social networking sites in general and FaceBook in particular is that they are first and foremost social sites.  The site was built and flourishes on the idea that people are looking for relationships and interaction with others.  Gen Y members, the originators of social networking,  do not react well to overt sales campaigns and so these are not appropriate on FaceBook.  Success for your coaching business on FaceBook seems to be about walking a fine line.  You do want to present yourself as professional and on target with the brand and message that you want.   However, you must put yourself into the mix – your personality, style, sense of humor, hobbies, etc.  You are connecting in this medium by developing real relationships.

You can also do promotion in FaceBook if you stay on the fine line.  It seems the best way to do this is to start either a group or a page.  Profiles are the way an individual is listed on Facebook; pages are intended for the description of a business or product.  Once you have your page, then you can notify your friends to check it out.  If they join the page, they become “fans”. What you do not want to do is spend lots of your time posting messages about your business.  It is fine if it fits a conversation within a particular group and if you are sure to include helpful ideas in addition to the promotion.

Another safe way to promote on FaceBook is through the events function.  For example, if you have an upcoming teleclass, you can announce it as an event.  Everyone that agrees that they will go to your event will be sending a notice automatically to their friends about the event.  This will help spread the word quickly. FaceBook marketing always occurs this way – through relationship.

I have learned a great deal about FaceBook and am excited about the possibilities there.  I have discovered the learning curve is steep though and it is best to proceed carefully.  One great resource is Jason Alba who may be the King of Facebook and in particular his blog, FaceBook Advice.

Please post here any great FaceBook tips you have or just your experience as we move into the age of social networking.