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Be Personal, But Not Too Personal
I’ve been on Facebook lately – a lot.
I only used Facebook though as a social networking site to connect with my non-internet marketing friends, classmates and family relatives.
Of course if someone from the internet marketing niche added me, I’d gladly accept because this is also a chance for them to see the “real” me.
Or so I thought.
The only stuff I post on that Facebook account is stuff about my friends, jokes, song lines, quotes and all goofy stuff a regular teenager would post because I didn’t want to mix my business with my personal life.
But last month when I got my Stomper X-ray call (awesome coaching from Stompernet dudes that I was lucky to have), Ross Goldberg suggested that I create a Facebook fan page to drive additional traffic to my blog and to seperate my too-personal life from my internet business.
Then I realize that the people who added me on Facebook from the internet marketing niche expected something that’s related to blogging and to what I talk about.
And so that made me think…
“Be personal, but not too personal”
We hear all around the blogosphere that we should have personal connection with our readers, etc. True – but we shouldn’t be “that” personal that our readers would get out of place or they’d get annoyed because they’re hearing too much of your life.
Sure, a hint of what you’re really doing personally from time to time would be nice, but if you do it everytime, it gets redundant.
Anything overdone isn’t good.
By the way, here’s the Facebook Fan Page I created. Honestly, I didn’t really want the idea of me being a “public figure” or anything like it and especially you as “fans”, really sounds weird. But what the heck, hope to connect with you there! I check the page almost daily :-)
Carl Ocab is one of the most successful teenage bloggers on the net. But remarkably, Carl was just 13 years old when he rose to fame with his hugely popular “make money online” website: www.carlocab.com
Hi, my name is Carl Ocab or as many call me, the “Kidblogger”. I’m a 16-year old kid from the beautiful archipelago Philippines.
November 26, 2009
6:21 am
I may also create my blog facebook fan page soon. :D
November 26, 2009
1:34 pm
-.-’ That makes me feel stupid… Lol, I was wondering how I could have a bunch of people on a Facebook page without having them in my personal life.
I already have a fan page – I think I’m gonna start driving people there.
Thanks for the tip!
-Kris Roxas
November 26, 2009
8:19 pm
Yeah, no problemo :)
November 26, 2009
6:26 pm
Firstly I would like to say thank you, I have been reading quite a few blogs in your niche lately and I can honestly say I have finally found one that is a wealth of knowledge. I was just planning to gloss over your blog but found myself reading heaps, and learning.
I have visited your Facebook profile, i will going to your fan. Your Facebook Fan Page is quite interest, you have got less number of fans; I think you should participate with other in order to make your profile strong.
November 26, 2009
8:21 pm
Hey Chris,
Right, the next step would be to get more fans. Now let me do some research on how to do that – this is actually my first time using Facebook as a “traffic getting tool” and it really sounds interesting.
Will keep you updated.
Carl
November 28, 2009
10:46 pm
Carl,
Getting more fans on your Facebook page is relatively easy. You simply need to click on that magic button called “Suggest to Friends”. You can suggest your page to your internet marketing friends just like what I usually do with pages that I’d love others to become a fan of. Sorry I didn’t mean to expect too much of internet marketing tips on your personal account, I was just surprised when you did. Well it’s a great move that you finally have your own Fan page. Have fun gaining more fans! Another tip, get a button wherein it tells your readers to “Become a Fan” on Facebook, it will direct them easier to your page or just like what others are doing, “Follow me on Twitter”.
November 26, 2009
7:32 pm
I think you’re right in saying not all your customers/readers/fans want to hear everything about your life but I think something that needs to be pushed out there is the necessity on even having these pages in the first palce, I think there is a very fine line between trying too hard to become a “big name” in any field, especially online amrketing and overdoing it with constantly updated twitter profiles and over the top facebook pages gets people no-where in my eyes.
As always it’s about balance and situation, you have to ask yourself objectively if you really need to take some of these steps before doing them. In your case I would your readership dictates a necessity to make these things but not everyone is in the same boat.
November 26, 2009
9:37 pm
Being personal is not bad, but truly don’t think that facebook pages are such a good tool. If you ask me i’d be ready to sell my personal life for money. I know i can be a bit strange, but thats how desperate i am to make money fast.
November 27, 2009
1:43 am
I’ve always tried to keep my Facebook profile separate to the rest of my social network profiles. As you said, I tend to use it to talk to non-work related people and don’t really want to mingle the two – so a fan page is a great idea. I wouldn’t be suprised if it only ever gets me 2 ‘fans’ though.
Oooo just had a thought, you could always hook it up to your blog and other social network profiles so that it automatically updates with fresh content as and when you publish it. Saves on extra Facebooking time. :D
November 29, 2009
5:57 pm
Man, its hard to get fan/s on facebook as opposed to feed subscibers or new leads.. Fan my blog too.. :)
November 30, 2009
10:20 am
Cool mate! But I am disappointed that you blog is full of guest post and has less post by you.
November 30, 2009
2:24 pm
Hi Carl! Great post, I totally agree with separating your personal FB page from your business one.
I just love reading your articles. Just keep em’ coming!
November 30, 2009
11:05 pm
I have two facebook profiles, one is for business and the second one is for real friends… There should be always a line between your real friends and the rest of the world!
December 5, 2009
12:42 am
I didn’t thing of having another facebook account for business but I was thinking of having one for gaming friends. :D
December 6, 2009
3:18 am
Carl You are so right. Im tired of people tell all on their page. Also I purchased your theme…It is hot. You are so great at what you do.
December 14, 2009
3:04 am
This is true harness the power of social media and it will work wonders.
December 30, 2009
6:54 pm
There should be always a line between your real friends and the rest of the world!As you said, I tend to use it to talk to non-work related people and don’t really want to mingle the two – so a fan page is a great idea.
December 31, 2009
8:47 pm
Hi Carlo. I just signed up as a fan. I know the feeling of awkwardness of having a fan page and moreso in promoting it.
Also agree on how personal do you want your Facebook page to get. I think it is important that you decide right from the start on what your FB profile will be about. I guess the moment you start accepting peers as connection, then it will be more professional than anything.
January 6, 2010
2:58 pm
I just care about my blog and about FB just for fun
January 28, 2010
8:06 pm
This is a really timely post for me.
I recently started getting friend requests from Internet marketers to become a friend on Facebook. I have accepted them, liking the fact a lot of them want to reach out. What for though?
A lot of them don’t talk, and when they do, it’s to try and sell me something as an affiliate, or they just want me to visit their blog. Who needs “friends” like that?
I am also a very private person, so I am thinking of perhaps deleting the people who are not real friends and don’t enrich my personal life in anyway. Don’t mix business with pleasure!
Great post.