The social network of Facebook opens up a world of possibilities. In my last Blog, I touched on an email I received that opened my eyes to how functional Facebook really was for bodybuilders, fitness models, personal trainers, make-up artists... everyone in our fitness community. Communication with employers, fans, friends and family are within instant reach. Each network is a world of opportunity unto itself. On Facebook, you have instant access to what your network is doing, and vice versa, each person in your network has instant access into all the latest in your world. Amazing isn't it. This easy and instant accessibility puts countless opportunity at the tip of your fingers so it's a great idea to have a developed plan to network to the maximum extent possible. Here are 5 simple tips on how to use Facebook to help you get positively noticed.

1) Create an Attention Grabbing Profile.

This is the first thing you need to consider to make an impact on Facebook. Your Facebook profile is a key part of your overall online branding strategy. An effective profile will present you professionally to the market you are "competing" in. Making the initial impact will be your avatar, your profile image. This can effectively showcase you to clients and employees alike. If you are a personal trainer for instance, a nice upper body image that shows your physique and pleasant look will gain respect and legitimate inquires about your services. If you are a fitness model, a strong tasteful physique image works well. Your image is your brand and that means everything. In the Information portion of your profile be sure to include contact information, especially a current email address you frequently check. There have been times where I've needed to get hold of someone and either they didn't have an email listed or it was an old one they rarely checked. Opportunities can appear at any time, so be professional and timely in this area. List your website if you have one so someone can learn a little more about you if you don't have a bio and services listed. It's nice to find your vital info in one location, but an easy to reach website is a good idea as well.

2) Create a Business Related Photo Album.

Everyone loves to look at images. Having a photo album readily available and devoted to business is a great idea. Perhaps this can be your main profile album. In this album you can have photos of clients successes, your successes, business partners, meetings, expos etc. For my profile, I keep my profile image gallery strictly professional and only add covers I have shot or worked on etc. It shows my latest work that helps distinguish me from other photographers. At times I'll use it for promos or trips I have coming up as it's a great way to notify friends and prospective clients of what I am doing quickly and somewhat effectively. The profile album is what sets a first impression so choose this set of photos wisely.

Tag Tip: Only tag relevant people that are in the photo or you know would be interested in the photo. Don't tag a group of people in an image to "market" yourself since they won't have interest in it. I know a lot of people in the industry that have grown frustrated with this practice and it can quickly go from a positive marketing tool to something that turns people off.

3) Keep Status and Wall Updates Professional.

As I touched on in my last Blog, "personality" shines through in your Facebook profile. No matter how hard you try to show one side of you on your profile, you can be sure, multiple sides will be noticed. Positive energy attracts positive energy, and the opposite holds true. If you are using your profile for anything business related, be sure to leave all personal business off your profile. Also, being overly friendly has its drawbacks too.  Does professional conduct look like this? "Great look baby! I bet we could create some magical pics together. xo" Perhaps this flies as a pick up line on Plenty of Fish, but there is no way it will be perceived as professional conduct by the majority of people who will read it. Even between friends, it can show a lack of professionalism when displayed publicly. Keep the flirting and the overly friendly conduct for private messages. As a photographer, I get that a lot from models, in fact, it's very common. I see it as basically a hug between friends after a great shoot, but there have been times I have deleted posts that leave an uneasy feeling that could be seen as inappropriate by a prospective client reading my wall.

It's great to update your wall with the latest and greatest details of success and photos you are experiencing but always be mindful that it isn't coming across as boastful. Professionals in any area of the industry don't need to toot their own horn. Let people know what's up, but keep a lid on repeatedly sharing the same news or telling people just how great you are. When deserved, others will likely automatically do much of that for you. They will tag you in photos or give status updates thanking you for the good you were a part of. Every little detail is noticed, so always be aware of the feeling your wall comments and status updates put out.

Tag Tip: When something great happens in your life as the result of someone else, be sure to give thanks where the thanks is deserved. It may seem like something small, but each status update of praise of someone else is greatly appreciated and others take note. It can bolster business for someone plus, it can reward you at the same time. As they say, what goes around, comes around. When you send positive comments to others, people will reciprocate. Seeing that you are appreciative publically, can entice others to help you as well, for the added "marketing".

 4) Schedule Posts and Page Updates.

Do you get tired of seeing people update their pages thirty or forty times a day? Of course. Do you get tired of being tagged in this photo or "Who's Creeping Your Page" post? Of course. It's fine to give status updates and communicate frequently on your page, after all, it is your page and if friends don't like it, well... bye bye. Friends for the most part should be understanding and accept whatever you do but be careful about tagging them, or sending event and group invites. I have deleted "friends" simply based on the frequency of invites I get for events thousands of miles away. Be selective when you participate in this activity and take the time to make each tag count. There isn't anything wrong with relevant information that you legitimately figure is of importance to the selected people but don't "auto select" your entire friends list for something you know a dozen people are interested in. You cry wolf enough times, you know people will stop running to help. My suggestion is to give out pertinent information on a daily basis or on a "as needed" basis. On fan pages it's a little different because people want to be kept in the loop, but still be mindful. As a whole, two to three updates a day usually is most effective. It catches people's attention and leaves them wanting a little more quite often.

5) Engage and Interact With Your Network

Are you following people you deem as important to your career goals? Have you made yourself known to these people in a professional manner? Sending a quick "Just wanted to introduce myself..." private message is a good idea but keep it professional as I mentioned above. No need to finish a message with "xo" unless it's your bf/gf/best friend etc. You can also reach out by leaving relevant comments on a person's wall. As an example, I sometimes get "Love the magazine and your work. Would love to shoot with you sometime." it's simple, to the point, and I take notice. It's a great way to start up an initial conversation that could lead to fulfilling the next step towards your goal. Showing interest in someone's service or product goes one step further and actually can bring you additional exposure. It goes beyond the initial recipient seeing your post, and is now visible to hundreds more that will visit that wall. Sometimes this approach has brought additional opportunities to bare.

There are many more fine points that could be suggested but I will leave those for another time. These simple 5 points are a great way to boost your fitness career using Facebook. I have seen Personal Trainers, Gyms, Photographers, Models, Athletes, Make-Up Artists etc use these points effectively and with great success. I hope they benefit you too as you grow your online branding presence.

In Health & Fitness,

DF

www.twitter.com/davidfordfoto