Traditional business practice was based on the principle ofdeveloping a great product or service and then finding customers to buy it.Then came the marketing and promotion so as many people knew about your productor service through advertising, promotion, stores, etc.

The same kind of principles have applied to online business.The internet and marketing strategies like Google become vehicles to put yourwares in front of potential customers. Now Facebook is being seen as a businessmarketing strategy. With more than 80 million active users, it's the sixth mosttrafficked web site in the world, and the second most popular social media siteglobally, just behind MySpace's 100 million plus users.

Ean Jackson, a university professor and angel investor, andpresident of Analytics Marketing, believes that the Facebook profile ischanging from the younger social communicators to older people and businesseswho are anxious to use Facebook to generate business.

So what can Facebook offer business? Mostly an opportunityto directly communicate with a pre-selected target audience and using toolslike banners, applications, quizzes, photos, discussion groups, social ads. Facebook has become very effective in promoting events, productlaunches, special promotions and news announcements. And there are now morethan 20,000 Facebook applications, with more than 400,000 developers andentrepreneurs.

The International Internet Marketing Association (IIMA) heldan event on Facebook for Business last May, with another one coming up nextOctober, and have published a guide on how to use Facebook for business. Someof the tips from the guide include the following:

• Use Facebook as a soft-sell, not a hard sell;
• Connect Facebook with your blog or contests on your website;
• Use Facebook to develop your brand;
• Make your Facebook the focus of the human side of your business
• Develop a community of fans and followers who will act as viral agents to both promote and support your business.

 Ray B. Williams is Co-Founder of Success IQ University and President of Ray Williams Associates, companies located in Phoenix and Vancouver, providing leadership development, personal growth and executive coaching products and services. www.successiqu.com, rwilliams@successiqu.com.