Get Your Facebook Statuses Noticed

Janine Gregor Your Virtual Wizardwww.YourVirtualWizard.com

Some Rules are Subjective

I am of the school that good manners count!

You can update your Facebook status with any comment you like but I believe that being considerate will appeal to more Facebook friends than the select few who might enjoy that raunchy joke.

You decide what works for you.

Why should you want to create good status updates in Facebook?

Become the go-to person; your community’s resident expert

Your friends can get to know you better Make people smile You have built your own community of friends so why

not use the status feature to reach everyone? If your profile is set to ‘Public’, Google will index your

statuses, which may prove helpful to your business

The Fine Print of Status Updates

Keep it clean When in doubt, Do Not Post! Go with your ‘gut’ and

keep dubious thoughts to yourself. Do not make a general statement such as “I am really

angry at her” or “She’s my best friend”. Keep bodily functions and human liquids off

Facebook. Do not post racist, homophobic, swearing or

distasteful, raunchy statements. IMO – be cautious of posting political, religious and

abortion-related issues; too serious and can ‘hit a raw nerve’.

Good Status Manners

Reply to comments made to your own status. Comment other people’s statuses Keep ‘inside jokes’ off your status. Use ‘name-dropping’ carefully. Do not diss the boss in your status If you hate your job, keep it to yourself or wait

until your performance review.

Ideas for Good Facebook Status Updates

Create a Mystery

Can’t wait to see… Looking forward to… Today is the day I… I can’t believe this happened to me… I’ve got time on my hands so I am going to… I am so happy today…

Ask a Question or Request a Recommendation

People like to give advice so ask for it. “Can anyone recommend a good salon?” “What is your advice on helping my baby get

through teething?” *but keep baby-talk to a minimum; baby bodily functions are TMI (too much information)

Say what you ‘should be doing’

“I should be exercising but I am on Facebook.”

“My plan was to cook dinner tonight but I am distracted by Facebook.”

“Facebook is addicting! I should be outside weeding the garden.”

Offer Humorous Quotes

“The greatest thing about Facebook, is that you can quote something and totally make up the source.” – George Washington

“When they asked George Washington for his ID, he just took out a quarter.” –Stephen Wright

"Middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle." –Bob Hope

"The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it."-Franklin P. Jones

Use Your Name and Make a Funny Statement

Mary is hiding under your bed Jane is deleting your Facebook account

deleting your friends Paul is fighting ninjas Carol is kind of a big deal Janine Wertalik Gregor dreams of a better

world, where chickens can cross the road with out having their motives questioned.

Post a movie quote and ask your friends to post their own.

I just watched Forrest Gump. “My Mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna’ get.”

What’s your favorite movie quote?

Participate in the Various Viral Specials on Facebook

It’s Celebrity Doppelgänger week. During this week please change your profile picture to someone famous you have been told you look like and post this to your profile.

Go to urbandictionary.com, type in your first name, copy and paste this as your status, and put the first entry for your name under comments.

Announce an Important Event

Have you gotten married, celebrated an anniversary, had a new baby? Let your friends know in your status.

If a celebrity has passed away or gotten married, share the news and something special about a movie or a song which you enjoyed.

Play-down Wonderfulness

Show a beautiful photo and label it ‘Gorgeous Scenery’ but leave a hint as to the location

A bridge built by the Gould family

Promote a Cause

But do not make it guerilla marketing – no need to make people feel guilty by not participating.

“I’m collecting used children’s books for a library in Swaziland. If you can help, please let me know.”

Ask a Random Question

Have you ever gone cow tipping? Do you sing in the shower? What is your favorite book? Who do you call when you have a bad day?

Other Random Ideas

Use the attach features in the profile status bar.

Upload a YouTube videoAdd a link to a news article

Be sure to make your own comments and notjust post the video or the link. Tell why you areposting or ask a question.

A good Facebook status update is a short burst of brilliance so make it count.

Have Fun!