How to use Facebook. Yes, really.

In todays world - particularly if you are not from todays world - you might be amazed some things come without instructions. In fact Apple iPhones and other similar products are instruction free - basically because its assumed they are plug and play items; straight forward enough that you will simply begin using them. ~Same goes for social media. 

It does work - if you do not ask questions. Watch the device or software-  or similar- and do as it asks and learn as you go. Without wishing to be age-ist, sexist, racist, or anything else -ist, its is usually the older generation that struggles here. And usually the ones in the older generation who are insisting - still - they are not the older generation. 

It's okay, if you get stuck the world of google will unearth a billion instructions, tips and user guides. 

Not always the Etiquette side of things tho.
And that is why I'm writing. I work daily on social media. I read it, I write it, I publish it, I read the rules {many many rules for business...} and I see what bothers who. I can certainly tell you what bothers me. 

Facebook - lets start here--->eight hundred and forty four million people use Facebook, so do me a favour; if you DONT use Facebook, - remind yourself perhaps its YOU not Facebook who has the wrong idea and that you might just be missing out some great stuff. Its all about knowing how to not encourage the crap stuff.

Facebook is as busy or as tiresome as you let it be. Yes YOU. Not big nasty corporations or anyone else. You. Its how Facebook is carefully designed to work. 

Really BIG top tip to anyone old/new/both on Facebook - you don't have to like everything. or comment on everything. Or think of a witty comment every time. Its okay, let Facebook wash over you a little. *chill*

Check your privacy settings. Are you aware every time you 'update' an app you need to update and check your privacy settings. Often you haven't set your mobile posts to private and the entire world can read just the things you post from your phone. Or you are still on the 'I set my privacy when I joined' wagon and are now miles out of date. 

Top tip - turn off game requests. Lets just say NOW nobody wants to be asked to play anything, and most people playing it didn't want to ask you, the game made them. End of.

Second top tip. 'Friend' on Facebook can mean exactly what you want. Is a friend an actual friend? If you want it to be. Is a friend just someone you have something in common with {A work colleague? An old school chum? person who keeps a horse near your horse {OH? just me on that one? ;) } It all depends on 

WHAT YOU SHARE

and also - quite surprising to some people 

WHAT THEY SHARE

If you share your life on Facebook - and its free world - then number of friends is not something you want to add to without thinking - do I want my manager's wife's cleaner to read I really hate work and steal biros for fun? {or similar...}

If you find you have befriended a person who RANTS on Facebook - you have several options.
Read it. agree/disagree.
Unfollow their posts and see nothing they write.
Or unfriend them. Its okay. Chances are you won't be the only one.

If your friend likes to share notes and thoughts and crap of the  anti government variety - or you find you feel the need to do that.... Just don't. I cant tell you how many really nice people you know don't think like you do, and can indeed make up their own mind who to vote for/who should run our country/which newspaper is a joke. 

Just try a little test - if you would stand up in the street and say it out loud to the world, you can post it on Facebook. 

If after saying it someone would smack you around the face, or arrest you or deport you then hey you know.... maybe we don't want to read it. 

 

What people do in life is also going to make a difference to their Facebook. 

Like me - I am a photographer. So, my Fb is PHOTOS. To me it is perfectly normal to take picture all the time, five, six ,seven, fifty a day. If its something I love, am amazed at, think is funny, I'll share it too.  Its my Facebook. Don't like it? don't read it. {I know; mindblower huh?} 
Take a friend of a friend - ;) she is a lovely lovely person. Funny, clever, takes great photos {yes, thats how I judge people!} but.... she is a political activist.
I, I mean my friend, unfollowed her posts for years.. But you know.... I should like reading my Facebook.  SO instead of saying hey you friend, shut the hell up about political parties. I simply turned off reading about them. 

Because - Its her Facebook too. 

Do UNFRIEND someone if you need to. Yes they do usually notice, but I suspect you knew that. They get over it. 
DELETE stupid comments. Its really easy to do so. You don't need to say a word. If they don't realise you aren't impressed by you deleting their comment then frankly, they are beyond help.

Facebook is brilliant and I truly mean BRILLIANT for support groups. GO FIND THEM. Join groups of like minded people. Be they people who have the same pet, hobby, illness or home town. I adore my groups of people on Facebook much more than the individuals actually. We band together and help each other. It is, to me, why the internet works. Makes it a small world, in a very good way. 

In case you haven't heard the ouchy facts ---Its not just ex-partners or future partners that stalk you on Facebook. Facebook is used by every.single. employee I know to check up future employees.  You'd be amazed what people are tagged in or comment on. You aren't just on YOUR page. 

Facebook is used by billions of advertising companies {hello!} to track and find ideal customers.  This is not a bad thing. It is not a ITV drama of Big Brother. This actually works for you. really.  Not so much for the Business. 

Speaking of BUSINESSES on Facebook, if you are not one, or not involved in one, you might not know about Facebook feed and post reach. Its the bane of my life. I know YOU think if you click like on a well known Pizza company's Facebook page you will then see everything they post and hear of every bargain pizza deal they run, right? 
But you won't. 

In fact unless you regularly LIKE, share and COMMENT, Facebook decides you perhaps don't want to see the posts and adverts from said Pizza company and doesn't show you them.  A business 'fade' as we call it. We simply fade away from your timeline.  Which makes us sad. {poor sad businesses. Lots of them} 

SO Facebook ask us to pay. Just a little or a lot, but allllllllllll the time, in order for our business posts to be shown to you, -hopefully {no guarantees!}  So can I make a plea as a business on Facebook - please take time to go to our actual pages now and then, and not just wait for our adverts to appear in front of you. 

OH - and any stupid swear-y comments you feel like making on a business page? Grow up. Thats someones work, passion and career. When I die I'm coming back to haunt the trolls of stupid swearing comments. 

 

Have you got all this?
A quick recap -

you don't have to like everything.
You don't need to read or look at anything you don't want to - but neither do you have to comment on it not being what you want to see. 
Nobody ever wants game requests.
You shouldn't rant on Facebook too much. {Fix it or move on people...}
Be aware of settings and of where you are tagged.
Facebook is learning what you read and comment on so read and comment with care. 
Don't be a prat, not in real life and not in Facebook life. k?
Follow, like and support any businesses you like on Facebook. Often. 

There. FB Etiquette . You're welcome.