I recently wrote a post about how if you have to choose only one social media tool as a direct seller, Facebook is probably a good choice. A large majority of your target market is probably already on Facebook, and it’s a great way to reach people who may be interested in buying, hosting, or joining your direct sales business.  It’s primarily a relationship-building tool, however, and not a direct marketing tool.  You build relationships on Facebook so that later you have the opportunity to market more directly, once someone has opted in.

If you decide that Facebook is the tool for you, it is important that you don’t become “that girl” or “that guy” on Facebook.  You know the one I mean.  The one who makes every status update a pitch for her or his business.  The one that everyone learns about the “hide” button in Facebook for.

So here’s my list of Annoying Facebook-ers, Direct Sales Style.  Don’t be one of these!

1. The Sales Commercial – This is the direct seller who constantly subjects everyone to a steady barrage of, “My company is having a SALE!”  “I’m so excited about the new catalog!  Check out my website now for all the latest products.”  Or perhaps, “I’m placing my order at 9:00 pm tonight.  Be sure to get your orders in now so you can get your products.”  Seriously, just don’t do this.  People really don’t appreciate it, and will get tired of you quickly.
2. The Recruiting Commercial - Similar to the Sales Commercial, this is the person who subjects you to a steady stream of why you should join his/her team, the latest recruiting promotion the company is offering, constant invites to his/her opportunity meetings, etc.  Folks, recruiting is a one on one activity that is accomplished after LISTENING.  Your status update is not the place to broadcast your opportunity to the world.  If you really want to recruit people through social media, build relationships and find people that actually need what you have to offer.  Then share your opportunity privately, in a way that meets the needs of the prospect.
3. The Hosting Commercial - This is the one where you just roll your eyes as they say things like, “I’m giving away $500 in free jewelry this month. Want some?” or “I have 5 slots for 5 lucky ladies to host a party with me.  Contact me to book your date!”  Honestly…this really doesn’t work.  Maybe once in a very blue moon someone will take pity on you and book a show.  But you’ll be much better off building relationships and TALKING to people.  Repeat after me…”Broadcasting doesn’t work in social media!”
4. The Shameless Self-Promoter - This is the person that constantly tells you how much product they’ve sold at their last party, how many people they’ve just recruited, all the awards they’ve won through their company, etc.  While once in a while sharing your excitement about something is fine, doing this all the time gets old really quick.
5. The Noisy Player - You’ve played Farmtown, Bejeweled Blitz, or whatever the latest and greatest Facebook game or Quiz is, and you’ve released it into the news feeds of every single person connected to you.  Folks…people don’t CARE.  All this does is clutter up the news feeds of folks that don’t want to see your scores.  And annoying people really isn’t great for business.
6. All Business Broadcaster – These are the folks that never share anything personal through Facebook.  You have no idea who they are, but only know what they sell.  Folks, this is called SOCIAL media for a reason.  If you’re not willing to let people get to know you on a more personal level, then perhaps social media isn’t for you.  (That’s not to say you have to share EVERYTHING.  Just intersperse the business with some personal, to help people know, like, and trust you.)

If you’re going to use Facebook to help build your business, invest some time to learn how to do it properly.  That way, the contacts you build on Facebook may actually benefit your business.  Why not sign up for my newsletter?  I provide lots of tips on how to use social media to build your business.

What do you think?  Have you experienced any of these Facebook-ers?  Do you have any to add?  Would love to read your thoughts below!

Photo Credit: Roland