I will be the first to admit I have had more than a few reservations over the years about ever being involved with Facebook. However, like all persons, places and things will do over time..I changed.
I am not sure I am ready to concede to Facebook’s victory as the lord of all social networks, but will however say Facebook has set a very high standard for social networking only others can(and do) copy. I still feel strongly the niche interests of many people will at some point pull Facebook apart. Until then, Facebook has evolved to become a natural part of my personal and business day.
I am not sure how many times over the years I have heard other social networks refer to themselves as the ‘Facebook of…(whatever they are doing)’. I am sure that will continue until something else comes out to take Facebook’s place. Till then, I have found Facebook offers the most anyone needs in social networking either for a business or personal. Yaw, I know. Shocking news from me and I really did say that.
Facebook Changed
The main reason I have become more active in networking on Facebook is primarily due to the filters and controls Facebook has now placed on what someone can see or post on a Facebook account. Now, I am not saying it is the safe house of the internet. I am just saying Facebook has seen that offering ways to block what people see is of value.
I really enjoy the clean and clear ‘wall’ Facebook has offered its residence to us to communicate their thoughts. The biggest advantage is being able to track clearly and quickly the threads of conversation you are having with one person or all of your friends.
Speaking of communicating…being on Facebook has developed more conversations with people than any of the social networks I have ever been involved…yes, even my beloved LinkedIn has not matched the level of interaction I have experienced on Facebook over the mast few months.
Since I am not out to purposefully gather thousands of people to be m friend I really enjoy the ability to get to know each of the people who allow me to be their friend..and who I allow to be my friend. I have never understood..and probably never will..why people want to gather up thousands of people they really do not know to be a friend. Seeing recently the stats the FBI on who is hanging out on Facebook, I would think many people would REALLY be concerned with who they are allowing to be their friend.
Even the purest of the marketers will agree broadcasting promotions to a crowd of strangers is not working. Conversations are the only way of securing a real and loyal fan base…or in this case..Friend Base.
More Productive
I am sure over time I will get a large Friend Base. I kinda look forward to it, but not pushing it. I enjoy getting my thoughts out to people I know and then having them share my thoughts with who they know. That is social networking at its best and what everyone out here on the internet should be striving to accomplish.
I am finding Facebook to be much more productive in what I do professionally and personally. For those who ask about the ROI of the time spent on Facebook I say.. it is in the number of conversations I have had over the past six months which are in the hundreds.
For the many people I run into out in other areas of the internet who say..’I only use Facebook to connect with close friends and family, I say…Great..you can do that on Facebook, but business and personal can be combined very easily. I really hate to see experts in their fields avoid the exposure Facebook can provide them due to their feeling that what they do professionally will interfere with their personal lives. Most of them do not know that it is their personal lives consumers want to know a little about. Plus, many do not know certain portions of their personal information on Facebook can be blocked so only certain people can see it. Facebook has learned its lessons about what should and should not be seen by the public, and they have learned it well.
Giving It Away
The talk I hear about Facebook making billions off the content people generate on Facebook is maybe a concern to a small percent of people, but overall, if you know how to work the social media for your efforts most of what you do or say on Facebook should be trafficked to your blog site or business web-site. For what I have learned from many of my friends who are deeper into what works and does not work on the internet, the content generated on my Facebook account is a very small price to pay for what you get in return… Conversation.
I would not say what I offer up as content on Facebook is Giving It Away. I look at it..and so should you…as an investment in improving my personal and professional life. I say..let the conversation continue..it is healthy fun and a great way for people to get to know each other.
Chat At Will
Of course, having a Chat Feature is not unique to just Facebook, but it is interesting how effective the chat on Facebook can be over other Chat formats. Especially, when you create a Group for people to join in group chats. The group chats are wonderful and really can offer up a group discussion on an issue that makes for great learning.
I’ll admit, I have seen better Chat platforms but at least Facebook has recognized the need many people have for a quit visit with a friend or business associate.
Friends Are Friends
The greatest part of Facebook is the ability to build real friendships. Even if the new friend is on the other side of the world it is easy to get to know them better through chatting or posting comments of more than 140 characters. Photos promote friendships and can be seen on the page without downloading them. Excerpts of blogs and notes can really help to making a solid personal or professional relationship.
When it does come time to make an announcement you have a group of friends to make it to and not strangers who may not have any interests.
Stepping Up
Earlier this year Facebook put some real thought into how to make their site more valuable to its user. This was not the case a couple of years ago. Now the look is clean and the controls of hiding and deleting posts makes housekeeping very easy..and permanent.
The new profile page is very eye catching along with the profile information being more universal. Yes, I would say that Facebook has grown up and I am excited to see it.
The Facebook mobile applications are being developed daily allowing the communications to continue away from the desktop. Sharing what you see outside in the world..in my case on the golf course..is another way to show your friends you are ‘Real People’.
Facebook is now looking at the Game Apps and evaluating how those can be better controlled so the people who want to spend their time playing them can and those who rather not be associated with them in any way can do their thing as well. This is good since the outside applications are great ways to pick up viruses…yes, even you MAC lovers need to be concerned with that as well.
Bottomline
If I had to boil all this down to one thing that makes Facebook the place to be over any of the other sites today…conversation has to be the key reason. I have been on all of the sites and Facebook is where I get more people contacting me and chatting with me on both personal issues and business questions.
I’ll be bringing you more highlights and updates on how I see Facebook changing to be a resource for all to use. Let me know how I help.