Did you know that there are nearly 2 billion people using Facebook? According to WorldOMeters, that’s nearly 25% of the Earth’s population. With all of these users interacting with one another and the billions of posts being processed every day, how do you know if you’re actually using Facebook the right way? Do you know about all of it’s features and functionalities? Do you know that there’s more to Facebook than just posting funny pictures or thoughts with friends or family?
We’re here to show you that using Facebook the right way can revolutionize the way you see the world online.
First Things First: Account Set-Up
If you don’t already have a Facebook account, that’s definitely the best place to start to make sure that you’re using Facebook the right way. You can’t use it without one, right?
Follow these simple steps to set up your Facebook account:
Go To The Site. Go to www.facebook.com
Details, Details. Enter in your First Name, Last Name, Email Address, choose a Password, Your Date of Birth and Gender.
Make a Strong Password. Your Password should be something that you won’t forget, but should be a mixture of capital and lowercase letters and a few numbers to make sure that it’s unique and can’t be easily hacked into.
How Old Are You? They will ask for your Date of Birth. If you’re not into providing the internet with that type of personal information, change your birth year by a few numbers. This is important as your friends will be notified when it’s your birthday, so make sure that you month and date of birth are accurate.
Simply hit “Create Account” and you will receive a prompt to check your email address to verify your account. Click on the link in your email and you should be ready to start using Facebook the right way!
Filling In The Right Details
Once you’ve created an account, Facebook may suggest a few new friends to get you started. If you know them, invite them to be your friend on Facebook. If you don’t and are feeling adventurous, add them anyway. It’s always fun to meet new people, right?
When you’re shown your Facebook homepage, also commonly referred to as a “dashboard”, don’t feel overwhelmed! There are a lot of amazing features that you can take advantage of, but making sure that you’re filling in the right details is essential.
When you’re considering what details to fill in on your Facebook account, there are some basics to think about.
Your Face Matters
Make sure to update your profile picture with a current photo of yourself. Everyone has a bit of nostalgia now and again, but keep those high school prom pictures on your mantle. It’s important that the people who know you now are able to find you based on your beautiful face! Simply hover over the area and click on “Update Profile Picture”. Choose from any image on your phone or computer and you’re set.
Privacy Features Are Important
Facebook is a public social networking site, so your safety and privacy need to be thought about. Any information that you list or provide on Facebook can be as public or private as you’d like it to be. Remember, though, that once anything is on the internet, it’s typically on there for life. It might be a good idea to refrain from posting controversial images or content. When posting content, know that you always have the option with the drop down box on the lower right to choose who you want to view it. There’s a lot more to learn about understanding Facebook privacy features, but for the sake of brevity, we’ll cover that another time.
Making Friends Is Fun
The best thing to do when considering the details of your Facebook page is to make sure that you’re connecting with the right people. Use the search bar and start looking for family and close friends. When you find them, click on their page and click “Add Friend” to start talking. Send them a quick message and let them know you’ve joined the social world!
Using Facebook the Right Way
Once you’ve completed your profile information and found some friends, it’s time to start using Facebook the right way. Facebook has a plethora of outlets and media for you to engage others with and find information. Here are some high level pointers to help you use Facebook the right way:
How to Use Facebook as an Individual
Are you simply a wandering soul looking to connect with family, friends and current events? Take into consideration that Facebook allows you to become involved in a variety of different ways. On your dashboard’s lower left-hand side, you will see an area that says “Explore”. Here you can search for pages of organizations that you’d like to follow, events going on in your area, fundraisers to get involved with, and even extremely addictive games. Facebook also allows you to instant message and email people within your Friends list. If you have an Apple or Android phone, make sure to go to your app store and download the Facebook Messenger app. If you’d like to chat online, go to the top left of your dashboard and click on lightning bolt shaped image to get started. This is the best way for Individuals to get started using Facebook the right way.
How to Use Facebook as a Business Owner
Do you own a small business and want to let your friends to know more about it? Did you know that you can create a Facebook page specifically for your business? Here is an example of a Facebook business page and what your business could be doing with Facebook. Create a buzz about your business and even create ads to target new customers. If you need help building a business page or managing your followers, you may want to contact a professional social media manager to help you with this. The cost is typically minimal and it can be extremely beneficial to your business’s bottom line as these individuals are experts in social media management.
There is a lot more to using Facebook the right way, and we’ll cover that in our future series of blogs about how to properly use and utilize social media. Until then, remember to be safe and know that the possibilities are endless when it comes to using social media to grow your personal and professional reach.
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