Courtesy of stockvault.net
Yet again, a funny thing happened on Facebook!
I have encountered many more funny things on Facebook these days. With the increase of users and more advertisers starting to appear, I think many users have come to see Facebook as a playground. It is true that the Facebook application is becoming the premier social networking site within the Social Web. 350 million active users, 3.5 billion types of content or data moves thru the pages in one week, etc. Also, recent surveys stated that social media business followers are looking for more than deals.
More and more, I see Facebook fan pages created around companies or products. More and more, I see people creating pages and profiles with their intent of socializing their products or organizations. With this boom of social media zeal, I keep noticing people who are very pleased to be virtual members of a mafia, running a farm, pillowfighting (Yes, pillowfighting!), and buying and sending a virtual heart and cupcake for a birthday present. Thank you for the opportunies and sentiment. It is a very kind gesture to be remembered!
These actions are wonderfully entertaining and add to the Facebook social experience. These social interactions create wonderful sharing and thoughtful bonds. I see virtual worlds as not only a great place to explore, but a great resource for testing types of products and services. Second, most of these extracircular activities give Facebook some badly needed revenue for its service and the various vendors. FYI-My last videogame (never played a virtual world game) I played was Collecovisions, Mr. Quarterback (circa 1983).
If using Facebook or other social networking to build links and drive social, informational, or e-commerce transactions (aka conducting business), I cannot help to remind these type of users the importance of reviewing your goals before conducting the above type of extracircular activites. If you are using educational, crowdsourcing, or entertainment ideas to push your latest widget to John Q. Social Web, stick to your plan. Since my entrance onto Facebook, I’ve seen very unusual actions performed by people who claim they are on Facebook to conduct marketing activites for their business.
Here’s a quick list:
-A woman CEO who liked to wink at me a great deal!
-A not so flattering video placed by a member of the British intelligence community.
-Asked to be an assasin in Mafia Wars.
-Being informed on my wall that several business associates proclaiming to be certified Knife Throwers or Sharpshooters in Mafia wars!
-Would I like to be a cantalope in Farmville?
-Numerous surveys e-mailed to both my business and individual Facebook accounts asking me to take personality tests, invitations to odd political events, and many question and answer sessions like, Which character would I be on Gilligan’s Island ( Apparently, I am Maryann or Dawn Wells)!
-I have been digitally sent various virtual produce, baked goods, or expressions of emotion!
-People expressing to me they are having a blue, red, or gray day!
I have a wonderful sense of humor! Also, I am aware many of these activites that I am asked to participate in could be a form of marketing trying to be carried out to generate fans and brand awareness. I suspect many of the on-line participants get caught up in this social environment and forget why they are really on Facebook to begin with…Facebook is a very addicting medium.
If you have created a Facebook fan page for your business or brand, I remind you that past, present, and future customers may not wish to be assasins. A Facebook fan page can be used to conduct all types of communication about your company and brand. Some to build links, some to post creative and funny types of media, specialized sales to Facebook fans, and some to post real-time events going on in your company.
Before getting sucked into the extra social activities on Facebook. I urge business participants to consider the following:
-Is what I am doing going to help or hinder my company’s reputation or brand? Will it reduce sales or credibility?
-Are my on-line interactions in line with my goals using social media?
-Are you talking to friends or followers with these extracircular activities? Have you distinguished between your business or social followers?
-Are you violating company based social media policies with playing on-line virtual games?
If pondering joining Facebook, consider creating two different accounts with different e-mail sign-in abilities. A Facebook fan page around your business and a seperate social page for yourself. Remember, do not accept a friend invitation from your business fan page on your personal page! Same goes for followers in your social account. Keep these two Facebook worlds seperate and you will be fine. Conduct social media business plans on your fan page, conduct your own personal interactions on your social page.
Also, remember, to think about what you write, express, and share on your different Facebook pages. Once your message, photo or video is on Facebook or on-line, one cannot erase it.
If presently on Facebook and you have tied your 2 Facebook worlds together, consider redoing one of the accounts. Perhaps your social account or the one with least friends attached. If this is not an option, then tread carefully! If still unsure about Facebook pages being right for your organization check this out!.
Do you have any odd Facebook moments you would like to share? Please do!!
