Facebook Pages vs Profiles- What, how & WHY to change
Posted on March 31, 2011 in Social Media in Wichita Kansas by JuggleMedia
Facebook has constantly evolved over the years and as savvy business people in Wichita have wanted to connect their brand in the world’s largest social network, sometimes “doing it correctly” has been a challenge. Facebook has two main types of “Pages.” First, an individual person like you and me, are supposed to have a Facebook Personal Profile. Here’s what they look like:
Facebook Personal Profile:
-Reserved for actual HUMAN beings. Not businesses, dogs, cats, babies (I know they are human, but not over age 13) or anything not classified as human being.
-Must click “Add as Friend” to create a connection. If both people approve the link, they are called “friends.” The connection isn’t instant as both parties must approve.
-The Info area at the top of the page includes work information, education information, birth date, current city, relationship status and age.
-The Wall, or main feed, allows the user to share personal information, pictures and stories.
Facebook Page (a.k.a. Fan Page, Business Page):
-Reserved for businesses, interests, brands and locations (i.e. not a person)
-Must click “Like” to create a connection. When the user clicks “Like”, they are called a “fan.” This connection to the page’s information is instant. (HUGE if you are a business.)
-The Info area is under the Profile Picture on the Left-Hand side allowing for the more immediate and recent information to be shared.
-The Wall, or main feed, allows the user to share business information, pictures and stories.
-Businesses can add custom tabs that can convert people that visit the page to fans before they see any other information. Also, one can add so much information they could treat their Facebook Page as their actual website.
Thanks to our friend Cindy Kelly, an article by AllFAcebook.com and our awesome team at JuggleMedia, here’s why you should change your business Profile into a Fan Page and more important, HOW.
Why Wichita businesses should change a Facebook Profile to a Fan Page.
Facebook says:
“Since profiles are for meant individual people, they aren’t suited to meet your business needs. Pages offer more robust features for organizations, businesses, brands, and public figures, which you can learn more about here.
Further, maintaining a profile for anything other than an individual person is a violation of Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. If you don’t convert your profile to a Page, you risk permanently losing access to the profile and all of your content.”
How Wichita businesses can change a Facebook Profile to a Fan Page (and keep your fans!)
Step 1: Download your information from your profile by clicking here or follow these steps Facebook requests:
>To begin this process, go to your Account Settings page, then click the “learn more” link beside “Download Your Information.” From there, click the “Download” button.
Step 2: Follow this link to begin your page migration or follow these steps Facebook requests:
>If you would like to convert your profile to a Page, click here.
Be aware that when you convert your profile to a Page, your profile pictures will be transferred, and all of your friends will be automatically added as people who like your Page. No other content will be carried over to your new Page, so be sure to save any important content before beginning your migration.
The account associated with the profile you previously maintained will be converted to a business account, which will be the sole admin of your new Page.
Finally, if you feel you jumped into the social arena without a plan, contact JuggleMedia. We’d love to visit with you, help you formulate that plan and rock Facebook, Twitter as well as other social networks in Wichita.
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Great Article Ryan! This will be very helpful to many business owners.
Having a Facebook Page opens up so many options that are useful for businesses. Your interactions with your fans are every bit as robust and dynamic, you have access to Facebook Insights (statistics) that help you see what is and isn’t effective, and your posts can be easily seen and shared so that your audience can grow while you’re sleeping or busy running your business.
And it’s still FREE. There’s no charge to have a Facebook Page. If you haven’t done it yet, you totally should. 
Thanks for the article, Juggle Media.
