23 July 2009 | Features, Freelancing Tips, Fun, Outsourcing Tips | Tamara

So, you want to use Facebook to promote yourself and your work. Network a little. Get friendly with potential clientele, while finding old friends. Here are some things you might want to avoid doing the next time you log in to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward for a professional image:

PROFILE FAUX PAS

Posting a pretentious profile picture that looks nothing like you. Really? The glossy headshot from your brother’s wedding in 1997? Don’t do it. (Unless it’s just for fun.)

Using a shot of your children for your profile picture. It might be cute, but post it to your wall instead. Your profile pic should be you. Don’t be lame.

Not setting up your profile carefully. A well-set profile is your best friend. Learn  Facebook’s privacy features and use them. Categorize friends. Select privacy settings carefully.

POSTING FAUX PAS

Addressing political hot buttons on your page. Unless you’re willing to lose business opportunities over Proposition Whatever-It-Is, keep it to yourself.

Arguing with a friend’s friend on their wall (or any wall). You may hate that Dawn Whats-Her-Name  just called The Office juvenile on Joe Shmoe’s wall, but don’t get into it with her there. Walk away…

Posting something every 5 minutes. I don’t care if it’s your status, a video, a link or photo, every time you make a move on Facebook, other people know.  Don’t let your constant updates become annoying.

Constantly marketing yourself and your work in your status updates. Facebook is a platform–and maybe networking is the only reason you signed up–but be careful, or people will start clicking “unfriend” to shut you up.

PHOTO FAUX PAS

Posting pictures of yourself in compromising situations. Pics of you half-dressed or drunk will change the way others (who weren’t there) see you. If you can’t delete it, at least un-tag it.

Tagging someone else in such pictures. This is totally uncalled for. Friends don’t tag friends in compromising photos.

SOCIAL FAUX PAS

Constantly sending out games and throwing sheep. A cupcake never hurt anybody, but the quizzes and the games get old. Beware of overkill. Have fun without inviting everyone in on it every time.

Following every Facebook trend. The tagging of friends in your egotistical (albeit fun) sharing of life stories gets really old (i.e. 20 Things You Don’t Know About Me). One or two of these a year, please. No more. Stop the madness!

PRIVATE MESSAGE FAUX PAS

Spamming friends with messages about your work. Limit how often you send out mass ”private” messages meant to drum up potential business. Your friends WILL get tired of them.

Exchanging messages with old flames while currently married. Bad form. Don’t do it. Just don’t.

Accidentally replying to multiple recipients. You get a message sent to several friends. You then respond to the sender, not realizing that everyone else will get it too. It gets you in hot water and/or makes you annoying. So pay better attention.

So there you have it. Any other faux pas or pet peeves to add to the mix?

Update: For more thoughts on maintaining professionalism on Facebook, CNN covered this topic on August 22, 2009.