Set Up a Business Facebook Page in 5 minutes

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Many people want to get a Facebook page for their counseling private practice. For many clinicians, the whole process can be overwhelming.
Recently, I was on a discussion group and an individual wanted to set up a “professional Facebook page.” I think this is a great idea, so long as you are not just going to be blasting advertisements to your friends. Here are a few things I have considered in how I run my social media.

Separate Email
I have a separate gmail account that I use only for my private practice. That way, I take fewer missteps. I have found that sometimes when I’m in “work mode” I get going and can be brain-dead in my fast pace, so I need extra steps so that I don’t mix things up. It also keeps things from getting cloudy between my different tasks.

Separate Facebook
I know that some people use the “circles” of Google+ or split things up within Facebook. For me, it is just easier to have a Facebook that is devoted entirely to my professional business. Also, if I am doing updates pertaining to www.mentalwellnesscounseling.com or www.PracticeofthePractice.com, my friends don’t get hit with all of those happenings. Believe it or not, they don’t usually follow me or comment, they are friends for other reasons than getting my business updates. Also, I don’t want to world to know what my daughter looks like, where I live, or worry about what people write on my wall. It is just easier to have two different accounts.

Setting Up a Business Page
Once you have your separate Facebook set up it is time to make a page for your counseling private practice. I decided to call mine “Joseph R. Sanok & Mental Wellness Counseling” and the title and the site is www.facebook.com/mentalwellnesscounseling. I decided to have my name in it so there is more of a personal connection. I have not yet set up one for Practice of the Practice. Actually, maybe I should and do screen shots…that’s what I’m going to do right now. I actually just thought of that while typing. Here we go:

Step 1: Sign in to Facebook (don’t think you need a screenshot here)

Step 2: Next to “Pages” click “more”, you have to scroll over it. It would not appear in the screen shot, but move the cursor around the “Pages”.

Step 3: Click “Create Page”


Step 4: Click on the best description of your business. For my private practice I clicked “Local Business” for Practice of the Practice I clicked “Company, Organization, or Institution.”

 

Step 5: Click through the category to the one that best suits you.

Step 6: Upload a picture, you can import directly from your website, which is nice because it then uses the description too. Save your info.

Step 7: Pick your Facebook address.

Step 8: It then walks you through how to get things going, inviting friends, and so on.

From Joe:
Here are some final words of advice. Try and use the key words that you want to be known for. For example, my counseling private practice is in Traverse City, MI. I try and use the terms “counseling” and “Traverse City” or “counselors” “Traverse City” often. That way, when people are searching, http://www.mentalwellnesscounseling.com will hopefully show up higher in Google. I hope that helps!

 

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Mr. Joseph Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC, Counselor in Traverse City

Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC is a therapist, counselor, psychologist, and owner of Mental Wellness Counseling www.mentalwellnesscounseling.com in Traverse City, MI. He helps angry kids, frustrated parents, and distant couples…and just about everyone else. He is a frequent speaker in the Traverse City area, Michigan, and nationally. He helps counselors in private practice through his blog www.PracticeofthePractice.com and through individual consulting.