Facebook Etiquette

Facebook has been able to grab the attention of audiences right from the get-go with its expansive networking abilities that caters to the youth right up to the old. It serves many purposes, both simple and professional covering arenas that were never thought of previously but that are now brought to life on the web. This advanced and well-connected mammoth social networking site, has people misusing it in a way that is downright unacceptable.

For parents and businesses alike, there is a line that cannot be overlooked or tiptoed over because there are consequences to one's actions that eventually will bite back. It is important to handle something as powerful as the Internet in a way that doesn't jeopardize one's reputation or what you've worked so hard on to promote online, when spreading the word about your business.

Parents need to bear in mind that kids today are using Facebook more as a tool to keep in touch with their friends, make new ones or just use the cool stuff that the social networking site has to offer. There is of course monitoring required when kids are online, since one doesn't know who could be sitting on the opposite side of your child's screen.

It's a scary thought to conceive that pedophiles lurk within the Internet, while using a profile to mask their true, decadent selves in order to reach out to unsuspecting victims.

Let's not only find out here how you can exercise some ground rules for your kid, but also loosen up at the same time wherever concerned. It is also important to understand that social etiquette on Facebook applied by you, plays a major role as well.

• When befriending your child online, don't be upset or hurt when he/she won't accept your friend request on Facebook. Kids want their privacy and don't really want their parents in their 'friend list'. Appear to be the kind of parent that she/he can be open to and confide in. 

Kids readily accept their parents into their 'social circles' online, once they know they're cool parents. I know a cousin of mine who's barely 13 and she and my uncle couldn't have been closer off the web. She has him on her list and they openly send 'wall posts' and 'photo comments' back and forth. That kind of relationship is important.

• When putting up pictures of your kids, consult them first about it since it can be quite embarrassing to see yourself tagged in a picture you hate. The last thing you want is upsetting comments being posted on your kid's photograph, making them resent the idea of you on Facebook.

• Watch what kind of pictures you upload on your own personal page since you never know who can be keeping an eye on your actions. Whether it is your boss, family, close neighbors, or relatives - they can see what you're doing and can draw conclusions based on what they see. 

Avoid posting pictures up of daddy getting hammered with the boys, or of mom going wild with the ladies on a night out-of-town - you don't need that kind of publicity on Facebook. The repercussions could not only hurt your own reputation but your child's as well.

• Don't freak out if you see your kid joining groups that are a little controversial like 'I love weed'. Sit down with them and coax them into opening up to you about why these groups appeal to them. Is it for fun or does it really mean something deep-set for them? The last thing you need is a child mixing with the wrong kind of influence from these groups.

• Avoid posting wall messages on your kids' walls since the last thing they need is public humiliation. They didn't invent cell phones for nothing. If it is a birthday shout-out or a good-luck-for-something post, then by all means go ahead and put that up. Avoid mushy talk or private matters from going public on Facebook, that are directed at your kid.

Businesses when put up on Facebook for promotion and public exposure, have to follow a set of guidelines as part of the etiquette that comes with online behavior. Let's look into how you need to strengthen the presence of your product/service by doing the right thing when it comes to your customers/clients.

• Keeping it professional among your 'fans' is important. Businesses online have 'like' tabs on them, where those interested in what you have to offer/say will click this option and become instant members of your business page. 

When creating a page for business purposes you need to choose an option that caters to that need, and not one that qualifies as a personal page. All ordinary Facebook users have these, but a business page is entirely different in its make-up. Once you create it, promoting it in a way that reaches out to the right audiences is your key objective.

• Avoid putting up spam on their walls, since this can turn off users. They'd be forced to then leave the business page, and turn down any future requests. Use advertising instead as your tool to help bring up the business, or spread the word through other websites that are sure to grab the attention of Facebook users.

• Updates should be frequent yet not too overwhelming-users end up annoyed with their flooded mailboxes if you choose to post stuff on their pages. Everyday post a new update about what's going on, what's hot on your wall. Ask users for suggestions and rein in all their attention to your business page by conducting polls and discussion forums to get feedback.

• The best way to post a message to Facebook users about something of significance is also through sending a common message, instead of individually visiting each one's profile to leave a wall post.

• Keep them interested by offering sale coupons, gift vouchers, and contest opportunities, to build on loyalty and new fan followings. Post pictures only of what makes sense in relation to your product/service and make sure your admin group has reliable information that either supports or links itself to the business.

• Don't mislead users into thinking you are something you aren't. Lay the groundwork first before promising any returns to your fans and clients. Be on alert since potential clients could also visit your page, and may want to be a part of your business. Messing up opportunities of the sort can force you to close shop.

• Keep all updates and posts restricted to the business page unless the update is huge like an event or new service/product addition that has to be posted on fans' 'walls'.

Facebook can either be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on how one uses it to manipulate another. It is important to know who your friends and foes are, being careful to set privacy options to a more secure setting. Practice etiquette in all that you do and say on Facebook, since there are a lot of people watching from the shadows.