I’ve been using Facebook for more than a decade and I still see people making these basic mistakes that make Facebook less effective for them.

Mistake #1 Using a Profile instead of a Page

When you join Facebook, you should be using your real everyday name so people can find you and become friends. If you did this right, you end up with a number of friends who want to connect with you. They will see what you share in their news feeds. You will see what they share in your news feed.

When you want to add a business venture, or run for office, or promote something that is strongly related to your personal “brand” the best practice is to create a Facebook Page. I have seen numerous people create another Facebook Profile (which is against Facebook’s Community Standards) and then ask their existing friends to friend their new profile.

While a profile is good for communicating with up to 5000 friends, a page can have unlimited likes and followers.

Creating a Facebook page is easy. See “How do I create a Facebook Page?” help at https://www.facebook.com/help/104002523024878 for instructions.

Mistake #2 Not using your real name

I have seen too many people using Facebook with a name they don’t use in real life. Not only does this make it difficult for you to connect with friends, but it is also against Facebook’s policies.

You can add nicknames, maiden names, or professional titles in your About section.

See the “What names are allowed on Facebook?” guidelines at https://www.facebook.com/help/112146705538576

Mistake #3 Using a shared Facebook profile

Closely related to Mistake # 2, I too often see couples or families sharing a single Facebook profile. Posts on Facebook work best when each individual has their own profile.

Create an individual Facebook account.

Log out of Facebook then use the “How do I create a Facebook account?” instructions at https://www.facebook.com/help/570785306433644/?helpref=hc_fnav.

Mistake #4 Posting to the wrong audience

Sometimes I see friends sharing news or information about an event that they want everyone to know about, but they limit the post to only their friends. Then when their friends try to share the post it is further limited to only their mutual friends.

Choose Public for posts that you want everyone to know about and to spread through your friends’ networks.

See “When I post something, how do I choose who can see it?” instructions at www.facebook.com/help/120939471321735.

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