If you’re using Facebook Profile to market your small business, you’ve probably been told at least once that it’s important to convert your Facebook Profile to a Facebook Page.
You’ve probably also been given a laundry list of benefits that come with making the switch.
Still, you may have some concerns…
One of the biggest concerns is losing all the friends you’ve worked so hard to bring to your profile.
But here’s some good news
Facebook lets you bring your friends with you! They’ll even convert them into fans, which is really what they are — your biggest fans.
“What about the photos, videos, and other content I’ve shared on Facebook?”
Facebook also gives you the option to download all of the content you’ve shared on Facebook (photos, videos, etc.), along with data from 70 different categories. Facebook will compile your data and send you a link to it via the primary email address on your account. They’ll also transfer your profile photo and Facebook username to your new Facebook Page.
To download your profile’s content:
- Click the gear icon on the top right and select “Account Settings.”
- Then, go to the “General” tab in your settings and click on the “Download a Copy” of your Facebook data link at the bottom.
- Click the “Start My Archive” button.
Feeling better about making the switch?
Here’s how to actually do it:
First, go to Facebook’s Profile to Business Page Migration.
You will be prompted to choose the “type” of page you want to use. For the majority of small businesses, the choice will be between “Local Business or Place” or “Company, Organization, or Institution.”
Here’s how to determine which type will work best for you:
- Company, Organization, or Institution: If people DO NOT physically visit your location or your events are held someplace different, this is the type you’ll want to choose.
- Local Business or Place: If people DO physically visit your location — for example, a bakery, concert venue, hospital, theater, museum, or art gallery — this is the type for you.
NOTE: “Local Business or Place” pages are the only ones that offer Facebook Check-Ins. If you choose “Company, Organization, or Institution,” your fans will not have the option to tell their friends that they are at your place of business.
“I already have a Facebook Page and a Facebook Profile, can I merge the two?”
Yes! If you were already using a page in addition to your profile, there are steps you can take to merge your old page with your new one.
- Once you’ve converted your profile to a page, go to Edit Page > Update Page Info.
- Under “Settings” choose “Merge Pages,” and click the link to “Request to Merge Duplicate Pages.”
- When you click the link, Facebook will prompt you to confirm your decision and will then let you choose the page you want to merge with.
It can take a few days for Facebook to process the request. Once they do, your “likes” and “check-ins” will be combined on your page. All other content such as posts, photos, and your username will be permanently deleted from the pages you merged.
Okay…maybe that wasn’t as simple as you had hoped.
But you did it! And now you are in the best possible position to get the most from your Facebook marketing.
Once the process is finalized, take the time to look around your new Facebook Page. Depending on the type of page you created, there will be a ton of new information you can add and update. Make sure to double check your page photo and cover photo to make sure they accurately reflect your brand. You can also add milestones and optimize your page with details about your business in the “About” section of your Facebook Page.
When you’re ready, take a peek at your new Facebook Insights. It will be one of your most valuable tools as you start to grow your Facebook Page.
Celebrate your new Facebook Page by telling your audience all about it.
Post about it on Facebook, link to it from your website, or send an email to your list of contacts and invite them to connect.
You’ve taken an important step and now it’s time to take your page to the next level!
Need additional help with your Facebook marketing? Attend our free webinar, “Supercharging Your Facebook Marketing.”
Read more: