I had someone ask me this recently, so I thought it would be a great idea to talk about it on the blog. Basically, a Facebook profile is mainly used for personal connections (keeping in touch with your friends, family, etc.) and a Facebook page is used for your business’ “face” on Facebook. Both are free, but they’re used in very different ways.
First, let’s talk about some of the differences:
- Facebook pages can have an unlimited number of fans VS. Facebook profiles which are limited to 5,000 friends
- You can send updates to all your fans through your page all at once VS. Facebook profiles which only let you email 20 friends at a time
- Facebook fans are automatically added to your page once they click “Like” VS. Facebook profiles where you have to manually accept friends one at a time
- Last but not least, most web users understand that Facebook pages are created by and for businesses for commercial use VS. Facebook profiles, which are generally associated with personal information, sharing baby pictures, wedding announcements, etc.
That last distinction is an important one. Not only is it crucial to keep your business and personal lives separate online (especially if your business uses your real name as its brand name, as I do), but it’s also important to set web users with the expectation of what they’re going to get.
If they “Like” your page on Facebook, it means they want to hear about updates from your business or brand. If they try to become your friend on Facebook, they’re signing up for much more–a peek into your personal life, which is something you may or may not want to share.
Personally, I don’t have a Facebook profile. I had to make one to create my Facebook page, but I don’t update it or make any friends on it…for now. Maybe at some point in the future I’ll change my mind, but between this blog, my Facebook page, my Twitter and my Youtube channel (which hasn’t been updated in awhile), I’m on Social Media overload.
Besides, to keep your Facebook page and Twitter interesting and useful for your users, I really believe you have to concentrate on it. If you set it up, but don’t keep up interesting and relevant conversations, you’re missing out on the biggest power of these networks: connection.
For more info and tips for having a successful Facebook page, check out some of my bookmarked articles from Mashable.com. (If you’ve never read Mashable, it’s a great blog that covers everything you’d ever want to know about the Social Media world.):
- 5 Elements of a Successful Facebook Fan Page
- New Facebook Pages: A Guide for Social Media Marketers
- 30+ Apps for Doing Business on Facebook
- And one post I think every business should read before they try to tackle social media: Social Media for Business: The Do’s and Don’ts of Sharing
Does your business have a Facebook page? If so, please leave a link to it in the comments! I’d love to check it out. Also, do you have any tips or things you’ve learned from having a Facebook page? I’d love to hear them.
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Abigail
August 4, 2010
Hi Preston!! Thanks for this post!! I’ve been having a lot of the questions you just answered!!!
I have two Facebook pages: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buenos-Aires-Argentina/Brides-Smiles/122518781124960 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/wwwmundonoviasnet/118976614453
I prefer pages! I now have the problem that many people from the page are asking me to add them to my personal page. I really don’t want that since I don’t know them!!
Gracias por ser Preston Bailey!! Saludos desde Argentina!
Bisi Bordley
August 4, 2010
Thank you.
loveiarasanyang (facebook page)
Adnan Nazir
August 4, 2010
Hi Preston,
please see my facebook page. the link is below and will love to have a comment from u.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13773166139
Rebecca
August 4, 2010
I sure do have a Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Edmonton-AB/High-Culture-Weddings-Special-Events-Inc/355594843973?ref=ts I started it in March and it has been interesting to use. Social Media is very new to me so Facebook and Twitter (which I only recently started) have been a learning process. Your blog posts such as this one have acted as a fabulous learning tool. Having a Facebook page is an interesting way to reach out to a mass crowd – for example, when someone becomes a ‘fan,’ it comes up in their News Feed so that others who may not have heard about your business will become a ‘fan’ too. I also think that it is interesting to see who ‘fans’ are and where they are located and/or why they are interested in my business.
Ahmed Elkaswani
August 4, 2010
Hi Preston, thank you very much for this excellent post! I keep getting this question, and I always have to keep explaining it to people! Facebook & Twitter are amazing sources for social media to market my BRAND and profile!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ahmed-Elkaswani-Events-Page/104767526227115
http://twitter.com/AhmedElkaswani
Thanks once again, I will definitely share your post!
EventZen
August 4, 2010
Preston -
This is a wonderful blog with great advice about FB, especially for new business owners! As I can very much relate to “social media overload” one application I’m also very fond of is “TweetDeck”…it iterfaces with Twitter, Facebook (page and profile), Foursquare and MySpace…allowing users to post to the captioned in one shot. Users can also monitor social media posts by colums all on one page. I just love the organization!
EventZen would like to welcome all to our Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/EventZen/189151583315?ref=ts
With Warmest Regards,
Chrisya
Stephanie Alexander
August 4, 2010
Preston, please keep these helpful tips coming! Your blog posts and tweets are so insightful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I agree with you and I keep my facebook profile and facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/YINashvilleEvents) as two separate entities. I’m looking foward to reading more on mashable.com.
Kris Gilleland
August 4, 2010
Hi Preston,
I created a page to update people on what we are doing and helpful hints but I am not sure half the time what to write that would be interesting. THe page is http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Sydney-Australia/Behind-the-Celebrations/330514866398?ref=ts&__a=8&ajaxpipe=1 . Plus I don’t really get any feedback, should I bother doing it? Thanks so much, Kris
Ebony Coston
August 4, 2010
Thank you Preston for the helpful tips! I am going through the process of separating my fan page from my personal page. Social Media is a must have for business today. My page link is http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Riverside-CA/California-Sol-Creations/336348097738?ref=ts&__a=6&ajaxpipe=1
Majell
August 5, 2010
Hi Preston!
Thanks for all the useful tips! Love your work! Here’s a link to my Facebook page! Come by and visit: http://www.facebook.com/majell.delcastillo.events
Savannah Sturm
August 5, 2010
Facebook has been a great help in letting our fans know when there’s something new on our blog, or with our company sister, Petite Fleur. It is just a great way to stay in touch with those interested in becoming your client, current clients, recently wed clients eagerly awaiting to see their own photos featured on a Facebook Album or on our blog, and all around fans.
Check out our Pages, Preston! We’d love to share with you what we do and would love to hear from you!
Thanks!!
The French Bouquet on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/The-French-Bouquet-Tulsa/98795821891
Petite Fleur on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tulsa-OK/Petite-Fleur/306420618450?ref=ts
Brenda
August 5, 2010
Preston, thanks for the tutorial on FB, I find it somewhat confusing so this is very helpful!
Brenda/Argonaut Creative
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Argonaut-Creative-Services/227665683619?ref=sgm
Leona Morelock
August 7, 2010
Hi Preston:
Thank you for all you do for the wedding community. My facebook fan page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bowling-Green-KY/Lasting-Impressions/104055139890
Zainab Alsalih
October 20, 2010
You are always an inspiration Preston!!! We would be honored if you take a look at our FB page!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/carousel.weddings
syed mahathir
November 16, 2010
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000382561456#!/2BridalSanctuary
its my fb profile, have yet launch the business page but ur review on my page is highly appreciated…