Millions of transactions are occurring every single minute now. Are you tapping into the power of the internet? It is important to manage your online brand.

In fact, many employees check your online profile before meeting you for the interview. Are you learning how to promote yourself online to increase your chances of being hired? If you are a business owner or coach, it is even more critical to market yourself online effectively.

One quick and easy way is to tap into the power of Facebook.  Facebook is the fastest growing social media portal and has revolutionized the world wide web and is giving Google a run for their money.  Learn how to market yourself free on Facebook. Here is a dummy’s guide to brand yourself powerfully on Facebook.

You need to set up a proper Facebook account. Subsequently, I will share quick tips on leverage Facebook to build your brand or business online.

Step 1) Your Facebook Account – Setting It Up To Profit

These are 3 tips to market yourself professionally.

i) Be Clear About Your Brand Essence

You can acquire a new client or even a future employee through Facebook. Many professionals use Facebook daily and use it to source for vendors, employees and even for business collaborations.

With these in mind, you need to be clear about your personal brand. What do you want to be known for?

Once you have decided on your brand essence, use it as a reference on what information you want to share online.  Because based on the information that you share, people will form an impression about your personality.

For instance, my personal brand essence is about being motivating, inspiring and also giving back to society.  So whenever I like an article or quote, I refer to my brand essence and decide if it is compatible with it. If it is not, I do not upload it.

ii) Mix Up Professional and Personal

Many people struggle with the thought of making Facebook professional. Facebook is a powerful platform to promote yourself or your company. You can simply post more professional thoughts, ideas and concepts on your Facebook account and share the more intimate ones with your friends during face to face meetings or discussions.

Your Facebook profile needs to be a hybrid between professional and personal. Through your personal sharing, people will feel that they know you as a friend. If they enjoy your postings, it gives you even extra points because you are building rapport online.  Guess who they approach when they need a new staff / vendor or service?

People always use vendors or hire people they know and trust, not the best vendor or person in the world. By being present to your future employees and prospects, you are guaranteed to be remembered when they need your service. As a quick reference, use the ratio proportion of 70% personal and 30% selling.

Finally, always go for a professional makeover shoot and use it as your main profile picture.

iii)   Use Your Personal Information Effectively

Your personal information section is one of the most important sections that you should use. You have the ability to draft your 10 seconds elevator pitch and also add your own website. If you are a business owner, it is critical to own a website and list it there.

Take note: Facebook cannot replace your website because it is simply a channel to generate traffic. You always need a website to promote your service or products.

Step 2 ) Using Facebook

Now that you have your account set up properly, what do you do with it? Here is one important tip on how to leverage

i) Approaching Future Employees, Joint Ventures, Potential Prospects

Many of your potential partners are online and active on Facebook. Add them as a friend and start building a relationship with them by making comments on their pictures or quotes.

Do not spam them and ask them to give you the deal after adding them as a friend. There is a need to build a relationship and trust with them before approaching them for the deal. Facebook is about making connections, not spamming people.

I have acquired at least 6 clients through Facebook, with each worth at least $4,000 and more. They landed on my profile page, were interested in my ideas and thoughts and after seeing my website, emailed me expressing interest to meet up.  This is evidence that big deals are done through Facebook.

With these simple steps, you have gotten your feet into one of the most powerful social media platforms. Finally, for Facebook, do not expect it to blossom overnight. Take note that you need to give it time to start seeing some results, however the returns are definitely beneficial over time.

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