Alright, folks, it’s audience participation time!
Alright, folks, it’s audience participation time!
If you are a Facebook user raise your hand.
Great! Now, keep them raised if you have that Facebook buddy who’s always good for a “shoot-milk-out-of-your-nose” laugh.
And, keep your hand up if you have one of those friends who, at least once a week, posts the, “God give me the serenity, blah, blah, blah,” stuff about how rough their life is … ALWAYS!
What about the one who posts obscure, nondescript posts that beg you to ask them to clarify. You know the, “That was scary!” or “I hope this day never ends” posts. Hands up, if you know what I’m talking about.
You’re doing great! Who uses Facebook to keep up with family (near and far) and people who you haven’t seen since your high school reunion? Beats a phone call, right?
Finally, who stays abreast of what’s going on in the community (local community, car enthusiast community, comic book community, whatever community) with Facebook?
Alright, I see that nearly everyone’s hands are still up. That settles it!
Facebook is many things: It’s cheaper than therapy, It’s a plea for attention, It’s entertainment, it’s your own personal newscast. Most of all, it’s a way to keep connected!
One last question, raise your hand again if you go to Facebook when you’re looking to buy something.
Yah, I didn’t think so. We may ask for referrals from friends, but we’re not looking for commercials.
Facebook is our down time. Our procrastination time. OUR time. We don’t want to be sold (aside from “friends” selling us their political views).
In an article posted on TheAtlantic.com, I found an interesting study of 623 Facebook users rating why they use the social media (Note: this is a heavily female student demographic).
An ExactTarget study showing similar information:
Nowhere in these charts does it say, “To learn about new products and services.”
My point, beware of how you use Social Media. Remember, it is a CONNECTION tool, not a sales tool. If you use it to build relationships and show your personality, you’ll be successful… and, in turn will build share of wallet. If you focus on building share of wallet first, you’ll never build relationships and will crash and burn.
