If you’re new to Facebook, it can seem a bit daunting and overwhelming. The truth is that, as in everything, if you give it a little time and allow yourself to try things, you will get the system faster than you thought at first.

To make it easier, here are some tips:

Tip #1: Create your profile page:

If you are already logged in, you will have a profile page. Upload some photos, especially a profile picture so people will recognize you, add some of your personal details, and start adding friends.

Tip #2: Add friends:

In order to find out what other people are posting and to use this site for its intended purpose, which is to network with friends, family and colleagues, you must add friends. This is easily done: if you see someone you know on one of your friends’ pages, just click the ‘add as friend’ button. There is also an area called ‘People You May Know’ where you will find people you may know.

Another good way is to let Facebook check which people in your address book are already using Facebook, which you can then link to.

Tip #3: Spend time posting updates:

Just like when you’re at a party, you’ll only know people when you start interacting. On Facebook, this means that you post a ‘status update’ in the box provided at the top of each page. You can share with words, through photos, videos or a link that you found interesting.

Tip #4: Comment on your friends’ updates:

Again, at the party, if you just listen to others, they may not really be interested in talking to you anymore. You need to commit. On Facebook you do this by commenting on other people’s updates. Just click the ‘comment’ link under any of your friends’ updates and write something. Don’t worry, you don’t have to write a long essay, a few words are fine.

Tip #5: Approve your friends’ requests:

You will find that soon there are people you meet who want to be your friends. You can see it at the top of the screen next to the ‘Facebook’ logo in the symbol with the two heads. If there is a number in a reading box, it means you have open friend requests. If you know them and want to be friends, just click ‘confirm’ and that’s it.

Remember: Whatever you do, you can always delete it if you don’t like what you wrote, so don’t worry. If you have any questions, there is also a “help section” and you can find the link at the bottom of every Facebook page.