Contact us today!
(518) 203-2110

Evolve IT

Evolve IT has been serving the Saratoga Springs area since 1995, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Tip of the Week: Find Success By Building a Professional Network On Facebook

b2ap3_thumbnail_facebook_networking_for_your_business_400.jpgIt’s a known fact that social media is a great asset for the modern business owner to leverage, but you wouldn’t believe how often it’s misconstrued as a waste of time. In fact, social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even YouTube, are so commonplace nowadays in the business world that your organization could fall behind others that properly utilize them. Facebook, in particular, is a powerful tool that can be used for online networking purposes.

Facebook can be an effective tool for growing your professional network in your chosen industry. As reported by CIO, here are five great ways you can use Facebook to your advantage and effectively make lasting connections.

Make a Choice: LinkedIn vs Facebook
One of the most common rebuttals to Facebook is that it’s not only a massive time waster (for those who have little self-control), but it’s not as effective at professional networking as its competitor, LinkedIn. The primary difference between the two is that LinkedIn is specifically designed for use by professional organizations to connect with industry professionals. It’s completely formal. Facebook is informal and, generally, the more personal choice which allows you to be seen as more than just a suit and tie. You’re seen as a person; after all, isn’t that the point of social media?

Besides that fact, LinkedIn is generally not part of the average user’s daily routine, while Facebook has been ingrained into the very fabrics of society over the past decade. Everyone and their brother is on Facebook, so you can know for certain that you’ll find some like-minded folks who want to get to know you.

Determining Your Target Groups
One of the best features about Facebook is that business owners like yourself can make and join Groups, where they can discuss topics related to their industry. There are two types of groups: public, which can be joined by anyone; and closed, which require a user to send a request to join to a group administrator. You should try searching for groups like “Saratoga Springs and the Tri-State area Small Businesses,” or those with similar criteria. Or, you can search for groups dedicated to enthusiasts within your industry. Either way, the point of groups is to find like-minded individuals and connect with them in a virtual space.

When You Find a Group, Introduce Yourself
Before jumping into the action, you should take a moment to introduce yourself to the group and explain what you’re all about. While Facebook is indeed a great tool for meeting people, you should take into account that these are potential colleagues you’re dealing with. In other words, you want to come off as a friendly and entertaining professional who wants to give back to both the community and your chosen industry. Keep in mind that it’s still an informal environment, and you should treat is as such.

Start Sharing Knowledge and Contributing Insight
While it’s often recommended that you “lurk” in the group at first to get an idea of the culture and demographic of it, you shouldn’t be shy about sharing what you know with them. Ask for opinions on ideas and help those in need. You’ll be able to show the members of the group what you know, which will establish your authority and help them see you as a valuable asset.

Create Local Events for Group Members
If all members of your chosen group are local, it can often be beneficial to expand your relationship beyond the digital space. Try setting up events like seminars or conferences that are designed to help group members understand a certain topic. If you get people involved with your brand and your work, you’ll be able to foster an interest in it that can lead to more exposure down the road.

What are some of your favorite ways to connect with prospects on Facebook? Let us know in the comments.

Comments

 
No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Friday, 11 July 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Captcha Image

Blog Archive

Free Consultation

Sign up today for a
FREE Network Consultation

How secure is your IT infrastructure?
Let us evaluate it for free!

Sign up!

Free Consultation
 

Tag Cloud

Tip of the Week Security Technology Internet Best Practices Cloud Hackers Privacy Email Productivity Business Malware Business Computing Software User Tips Google Computer Hosted Solutions Microsoft Upgrade Efficiency Workplace Tips IT Support Mobile Devices Innovation Smartphone Windows 10 Network Security Gmail Ransomware Hardware Backup Apps Operating System Business Continuity Disaster Recovery Communication Hacking The Internet of Things Social Media WiFi Bandwidth Facebook Microsoft Office Office Content Filtering Cybercrime Wireless Technology Website Android Apple Best Practice Employer-Employee Relationship Alert History Two-factor Authentication Networking Data storage Small Business Phishing Data App Windows Smartphones Experience Mobile Computing Big Data communications Safety Unified Threat Management Money Quick Tips Mobile Device Management Network Managed Service Provider Outlook Firewall Hosted Solution Heating/Cooling Windows XP Deep Learning Word IT Services Artificial Intelligence BDR Documents Compliance Tech Support Drones Vendor Management Business Management Social Competition Browser Printer Presentation Virtual Desktop Monitors Entrepreneur Wireless Domains Unified Communications Securty Encryption Document Management Law Enforcement Hacker SaaS Displays VoIP Application Cortana Proactive IT Network Congestion Customer Service End of Support Save Money Music Writing Router Laptop Office 365 Cryptocurrency IBM Google Docs Analytics Education Saving Money Holiday intranet Lithium-ion battery Cleaning Black Market YouTube Processors Office Tips LiFi Retail Staffing Downtime Social Networking BYOD Passwords Public Speaking Streaming Media Help Desk Micrsooft IP Address Visible Light Communication Managed IT services Virtualization Disaster Business Growth Data Management Government Robot Augmented Reality Advertising Bluetooth Keyboard Recovery User Sports Search Society Google Wallet Hard Drives Spam Automation Remote Computing Information Technology Memory Shortcut Running Cable Internet of Things DDoS Windows 8
QR-Code