Previously, I wrote about some recent observations I have seen employing interesting strategies on the Facebook platform. These serve as case studies for not applying ‘best practices’ in social networking:
Case #1: A Facebook email disclosing all recipients was received from another marketing person who claimed they were going to “defriend most” (named) on the email list because their Facebook friends list had become unmanageable. This person had recently invited several of those listed to “friend” them.
Apparently, the person was also trying to convince folks that in order to stay in touch, they needed to join the “Fan Page,” because the person couldn’t handle the 2,000 contacts in their network. I humbly submit that if this contact couldn’t manage a 2,000 +/- member Facebook network, they were in control to add or delete, all along. Facebook offers a “List” feature, and a personal spreadsheet works nicely, too. Facebook “Fan Pages” are a great tool, but this marketing person may find it to be quite a different mix from the existing Facebook profile. Perhaps not all in the network would want to join?
Case #2: An entrepreneurial contact announced to their network that in order to stay connected, they needed to respond to their Status Update, explaining on their Wall why each should remain in this person’s network, or be banished from their kingdom.
I don’t know what the response was, but think that the ‘value’ shared and given (as in conversation) is a two-way street, in the truest sense of connection and communication. Demanding your network share publicly why they should stay connected to you, is like announcing to the world you haven’t a clue what you’re doing on the platform and asking for direction, or perhaps it was a thinly-veiled request for testimonials for all the great value provided?
Case #3: A coaching contact posted a repetitive message on everyone’s wall that all of their contacts needed to join their Facebook Page.
No invitation, explanation, or benefit of association provided. The message was emphatically imperative, with the slightest tinge of an apologetic undertone. In fact, it sounded like a matter of life-and-death, with perilous consequences personally to the coach if you didn’t join. I don’t know what the response was, or if the result was as hoped, for the great effort expended in posting on everyone’s Facebook Wall for as far as the eye could see, within this person’s large network.
Next: What does all this mean?
Do you have case studies to share? Please leave your comments…
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