Getting the Most from Facebook

Facebook has more than 750 million active users with more than 50% of those accessing the social media site every day. Chances are high that you are one of those users and if you're not, you might be thinking about giving it a try. Whether you already use Facebook or are thinking about joining up, there are some things you can learn about getting the most from Facebook.

Your Purpose in Facebook

The first step is to identify your purpose for using Facebook. Not everyone uses it for the same reasons. Some things you can do on Facebook are:

• Find old friends
• Stay in touch with family
• Build connections for work
• "Fan" bands or companies that you like
• Get updates from companies you support
• Share updates and photos with others
• Join groups with common interests
• Play Facebook games
• Market yourself or a service/product you provide

You may find that you have more than one purpose in using Facebook and to get the most from your experience, you can prioritize these purposes.

Understanding Privacy

Once you know what your purpose is in using Facebook, it's time to familiarize yourself with the privacy settings and issues. There have been some very dangerous crimes committed using Facebook as a tool- everything from kidnappings, murders and burglaries. It's important that you understand privacy settings, security and safety when using Facebook. You don't want to put just anything out there for everyone to see. Here are 10 Privacy Settings Every User Needs to Know. Facebook also has a Family Safety Center that is very important to read through.

Managing Your Time

Just how much time do you want to spend on Facebook? The answer depends on what your purpose for using the site is. If your intentions are to market or advertise a product or service, then you only need to spend as much time as it takes to achieve your goals. If you want to use it to update family or friends about your life, then it's completely up to you how much time you spend on the site. For many people, activities on Facebook such as games, chatting with friends or participating in groups can be addicting and distracting to other responsibilities. If you fall into this category, it will be important to set limits for when and how you use the site to prevent wasted time, addictions or problems with work and responsibilities.

For all the positive benefits of Facebook, there are nearly as many negatives so it all begins with awareness. Gain as much knowledge as you can about the site and then dive right on in!