A few days back I posted some tips on how I use MySpace to promote my blogs and website. Today I will be discussing Facebook.

I don’t have nearly as much exposure to Facebook as I have to MySpace. Facebook was in its infancy when I was promoting my band heavily online, and in addition, you had to be a college student to access it.

But times have changed and everyone is now on Facebook. Personally, I love the layout of Facebook and they way it operates a lot better than MySpace. It is extremely viral. It is cleaner, less advertisements (for now I suppose) and there are better spam blockers in place. One good thing, is there are several million less dead profiles on Facebook than there are on MySpace. However, it is much more difficult to add people via Facebook. Some of the same rules apply to using Facebook as Myspace, so you may see some overlap.

1. Make sure you have a legitimate profile. I send out messages from my personal profile. This shows any potential friends that I am sharing a bit of myself, so they don’t have to be scared of my message or what I am trying to plug. If you create a secondary profile, make it feel as human as possible. Do not make the default photo a logo or a graphic. People will be less likely to add you. Make sure you push your website on your profile, but don’t over do it. A couple links or a banner will do just fine. Avoid making hideous layout creations. Try to keep it clean, simple and professional.
2. Personalize each message you send. I never use a form letter. They don’t work as well as they used to because people just think they are spam. In addition, make sure you put a good subject header.  I have been using “Greetings from Scott at _______”. In the message itself, stay professional and explain to them how you found them, and why you think they should check out your website. People are still receptive to things they feel will benefit them.
3. Create a Facebook Application for your website. This is one of the great things about Facebook. Any developer can create a Facebook Application for their website and make it go viral. Facebook Applications sets them apart from MySpace. Any friend you have can send out requests to add an application. I created one for a website I have that targets Chicago and it went viral pretty quickly. If you aren’t the programming type, there are step by step instructions on how to create one for your Facebook at Widgetbox.com.
4. Use Facebook notes to promote your site but do it sparingly. Notes are similar to MySpace bulletins. They can get very spammy, however. Just post when you have something important to say. This will keep your credibility in check for those who have added you. This way, they will be more inclined to read your note since you don’t send them out all the time.
5. Convince friends to link to your website. This may be difficult, but as you get to know some of your friends, see if you can convince them to promote your website on their profile. Their friends will see it, and may add you as a friend. Try to convince friends to send out occasional bulletins talking about your website or product. It may only result in a trickle of extra traffic, but it can grow fast if people cling to your site. Facebook has a specific spot for website links it the profile editor. Try to convince your friends to put your site in there.
6. Keep Active. The more you work at it, the larger your network will grow. And if you do it correctly, it will be a very fruitful endeavor.