A Tip for Using Facebook for Networking

Thanks in advance for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas. I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation. Tell me what you think, and I'll reply. Promise.
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Most of my friends and colleagues are using Facebook and similar social media.  Especially Facebook, so I’m keeping particularly active there.  In the process I’ve recently created another benefit from using Facebook.

Actually it’s not new in the world — just new to me.  It applies to the professional networking group I’m most active in: Silicon Valley NACE (National Association of Catering Executives).  Here I am at a dinner meeting with some of my NACE colleagues.

Silicon Valley NACE includes many of the top local caterers and their affiliates (event planners, florists, photographers, entertainers like me, and many more.  I managing our communications — maintaining our website and emailing invitations to our monthly meetings.

A few years ago, I created a Silicon Valley NACE Facebook Page and Facebook Group.  At the time I had only a vague notion that these would come in handy someday.  Now, inspired by several examples I’ve recently seen (for instance, the Ultimate Blog Challenge), I realize how a Page and a Group will help our members stay in touch even more effectively.  Not to mention that they’ll make membership even more attractive to prospects.

By logging in to this Page, anyone can post and receive messages, questions & answers, and announcements that the members would be interested in.  The Page can be accessed by anyone in the world.  Anyone who becomes a “fan” will receive our updates in their News Feed, and they can interact with the Page.

In contrast, the Group is open only to NACE members, so the communication is private to that extent.  We can share information and discuss issues we’d rather keep among ourselves.  Information posted in the Group appears in the News Feeds only of the members, and their replies are seen only by members.

We’ve only just begun using them.  It’s always tentative at first, and I’ll post occasional progress reports.  If you’re interested, see Facebook’s blog for more information about Facebook Pages and Groups.

How about YOU?  What associations or networking groups are you active in?  Would using Facebook Pages or Groups be helpful?

Thanks for reading my blog. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas here. Please comment and continue this conversation. I’ll reply to you, and so will others who share your interest. You’ll make new connections.

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The Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood. In the meantime, please join our Facebook fans to receive daily tips for planning wedding and party music and to receive reminders for our public events.

Thanks for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas here. Got one or two? I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation -- I'll reply. Promise.

By the way, does a friend need help selecting wedding or party music? Do them a favor: EMAIL this article, or SHARE it on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google+.

And if you find my blog useful, please LIKE it, TWEET it, and SUBSCRIBE for more ideas. Use those cute little icons below.

Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.

How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use [email protected]. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.

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