If you’re like me, you’ve gotten bored with the same old unoriginal inspirational posters and pictures of your “Friends” last meal they had. Unfortunately if a friend posts one thing then you can guarantee you will see at least 4+ more of the same in your news feed.
So, frustration sets in because you have to have a Facebook business page to get seen for most types of businesses. For public figures though, like artists, bands, writers and non-profits I suggest Linkedin. Better quality interaction and people will have no shame in running off those who attempt to post FB like things on there. When business is key and you have no time for anything else then you’re in luck!
Two ways to escape the FB personal account but still have a business page!
Both ways have its advantages and disadvantages. You be the judge for what works best for you.
Choice One: No FB account yet and you want a business page only.
This choice is for people with no FB account at all. Of course you could always delete yours and start over or go to choice two if you already have an account
Steps:
- Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
- Click “Local Business or Place”
- Choose the category that best fits your business.
- Check off “I agree to Facebook Pages Terms” and then click “Get Started”
- On the next screen, select “I do not have a Facebook account” and follow simple step by step instructions.
- You’ll have to confirm your email address via an email Facebook sends to you. Congrats! You now have a Facebook account with no personal profile.
- Set up your brand page the way you like it and be sure to optimize it for search engines.
Choice Two: Convert your existing FB personal account to a business page.
This was my choice because I don’t have to go out and find likes from scratch. Your friends will be moved over to your business page and become likes. You won’t see their posts or receive their notifications. You will get some things in your news feed but not the minutiae of everyone’s life. All you’ll see is your followers and what they want to know which is what pays the bills.
Steps:
Download your information first! Anything you want to keep will be gone unless you do this first!
- Download your info, such as your sent and received messages and the photos and videos you’ve uploaded to Facebook.
- Appoint a new group admin to any groups you manage. You’ll lose your groups otherwise. Want to stay in control of your groups? Great! Then ask your friend that you appointed admin to make you an admin and take them off! Or, keep them on and make them an editor or assign another page or group role to them that you feel more comfortable with.
Now, to conversion.
- Go to Profile to Page Migration
- Choose a category for your Page
- Select specific category and fill out info
- Click Get Started and well, get started!
One thing you’ll notice and how to get around it.
You won’t see the search bar on the top of a business page but you’ll need it and you’ll want to connect to the right people. So, for the full access to the Pages features, manage your new Page from a personal account or give someone a role on your Page.
What you’ll gain from conversion:
Personally, I notice less distraction on things that are not propelling me to where I want to be. I also notice more nature around me and have more fun looking at it than taking a pic and uploading it. I have a better sense of not only privacy, but in developing real friendships with real people. It is a liberating experience.
If you think you can’t bring yourself to do it, then try taking yourself off social media for a weekend or nights. Whatever is convenient for you. There are ways you can do a lot of posts at one time and time them out.
Get on Hootsuite I have a writing intern that loves the practice and knows me well enough to make posts that sound like me. I check in when I get an alert that someone has commented and I will personally handle the interaction. So, really I see Facebook a few days a week for a few minutes instead of every hour that I’m not doing something else.
Try it and tell us how you’re doing with it!