facebook Business Question

[Tedi17]

At first I wasn't sure if this fell under Open Talk Or Business Talk. My questions is business related.

I've noticed that some people have a personal facebook page for their business (mixing personal postings with business postings), others have created a 'group page' for their business and some have created a 'fan page' for their business.

What's the best way to promote your business via: personal page, group page or fan page?

I'm reading about group pages and fan pages right now. Just wanting feedback from those who have facebook.

Thanks
Tedi

[StaceyLynn]

I like group and fan based pages. That way you can still have a personal facebook page to stay connected with family and friends.

[Daniel Bates]

Personally, I'd go with a fan page. A photography business is not a group in the Facebook definition of the term.

[toverman]

Some of the recommendations I've read about is to have a personal page to build your network, and then inviting those friends to be "fans" of your photography page. Then you can send updates, special offers and general messages to all your fans all at once. There are also ads you can buy, targeted specifically for the market you are seeking.

[Tedi17]

thanks for the responding. i've created a fan page and will continue to grow from there. hey, it's free...... why not?

[lisakitty]

I have found FB to be bad for business. I had some of my clients as my "friends" and I always post a few shots from my sessions on my FB page. One of my clients didn't like what she saw -- some totally tasteful glamour shots with no nudity at all but I guess she's a prude. She unfriended me, said some nasty things and had her BFF unfriend me. I guess I lost that one. Now I'm nervous about FB, but I probably shouldn't let one (or now two) people dictate what I post there. It just left a nasty taste with me.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by lisakitty

I have found FB to be bad for business. I had some of my clients as my "friends" and I always post a few shots from my sessions on my FB page. One of my clients didn't like what she saw -- some totally tasteful glamour shots with no nudity at all but I guess she's a prude. She unfriended me, said some nasty things and had her BFF unfriend me. I guess I lost that one. Now I'm nervous about FB, but I probably shouldn't let one (or now two) people dictate what I post there. It just left a nasty taste with me.

I post sets from portraits, weddings, etc on my personal facebook page and have gotten some business from it. However, I always clear it with the subject. I know I have a model release and all, but I want to make sure they don't care if I post and tag those particular images on facebook.

Posting and tagging images immediately spreads my work to a broader audience, especially when it is wedding pics.

[keripayne]

I actually have a separate page for my photography site. That keeps my photography clients completely separate from my other friends. I think that's a good idea just because I don't necessarily want my business clients seeing some of the pictures and comments my friends might make on my page. I have more control over my "image" that way.

I add clients as friends as soon as I know they have a FB page, and I also upload and tag their photos ASAP too. They're most likely going to want the pictures for their page, so I might as well get it to them through tagging rather than them stealing them off my blog.

I think FB has definitely been good for business. It's definitely the new "thing" these days so there's a lot of traffic and a lot of people who have seen my logo who might remember me later when they need portraits.

[tresorph]

I use my personal page in combination and have a fan page. I just learned that you can set your parameters on your facebook account to only have "business" friends see certain things in your profile. So I would look into that as a good option to go all-in-one.