Many start-up entrepreneurs are promoting their newly formed business on Facebook™ by creating a dedicated page about it. That is very good. However, a lot of them use their personal profile to share business offers and marketing messages. That is very bad. Today we will show you how to promote your business through a Facebook page linked to your personal profile.
What Is Wrong About Promoting a Small Business from a Facebook Profile?
When you sign up for a Facebook account, you agree to their Terms and Conditions. One of these T&Cs states clearly: “It's against the Facebook Terms to use your profile to represent something other than yourself (example: your business), and you could permanently lose access to your account if you don't convert it to a Page”.
Since falling foul with the authorities in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has started to enforce their rules aggressively. Thus, some people saw their accounts blocked because their likes and interests were similar to a certain business.
And even though you may pass under the radar for a while, it takes only one annoyed friend reporting your personal Facebook profile for being a business.
Keep Your Business and Personal Activities Separate on Facebook
Apart from the (very serious) issue of breaking the terms of use, there are many other reasons why you would want to promote your business through a Facebook page.
It may be a one-man show now, but it may grow into a successful company that attracts the interest of angel investors and business partners. And what do they see when they scroll through the Facebook profile attached to the business? Your summer holiday photos, several NSFW comments made by your potty-mouthed uncle, and other types of unprofessional content.
Now that you understand the pitfalls of running your business from your personal Facebook profile, let’s see how you can link a business page to it.
How to Link Your Facebook™ Page from Your Personal Profile
The first step, of course, is to create a Facebook page for your business. To do this, you go to the main menu bar (the blue one at the top of the page), click on Create and select Page.
The setup process is simple and intuitive, with step by step guidance.
Now that your Facebook page is created, you will go to your personal profile (click on your name on the main menu bar). On the left-hand column of the profile, you will see the Intro section, which contains your basic biographical detail.
Here’s what you need to do to link your Facebook™ page:
1. Click on the Edit Details Button
You will get a pop-up page containing all your biographical fields, starting with the Work section.
2. Click on “Add a workplace”
You will reach a new page containing several text fields. In the Company filed, type in your Facebook™ page URL. To make your work easier, copy it from the web address bar prior to opening your profile and paste it into the text field.
3. Set Yourself as Owner of the Facebook™ Page
In the next text field, you have to add your position in the company. The most usual position other entrepreneurs use is “Founder and Owner”.
4. Say a Few Things about Your Page
To save time, fill in the Description field with the text used in the About section of your Facebook™ page. Alternately, copy and paste a significant paragraph from the About Us page of your website.
5. Click on Save Changes
Once you click on this button, you are done. Your Facebook™ page will appear in the Intro section of your Facebook profile and will be visible to everyone.
From now on, you will be able to manage your Facebook business page separately from your personal profile. This will help you comply with the Terms of use of the social media platform and keep your personal posts only for your friends.