turn that fan on!

Over the weekend, I was at a conference with the woman I intern for who owns her own jewelry business. She returned from chatting with another small business owner saying "They have 850 Facebook fans and they just put their page together a few months ago... How do I get more fans? What should I be doing more of to get more fans?" The question definitely brought back some middle school nostalgia... Either way, it got me thinking.

Do fans really matter?

Yes: if you're hot in the summer.

Maybe: I am having a hard time coming to a conclusion if Fans on Facebook are really that important to have for a small business... Yes, it is easier to reach the people that are interested in your product. I know I am fans of people that I like, Mark Bittman, The Dali Lama and couple restaurants. They post things on their walls and occasionally I read them. Sometimes, I don't. It does not directly effect me. But, are businesses and individuals really reaching their audience through pages that people can like?

Step back and see how many friends you have on Facebook. How many of them do you really know, personally? How many of them do you keep in contact with on a regular basis? Are there any strangers you are friends with? It is so easy to accept a friend request or like a page online... Its simplicity makes it mindless. I know I sent out a request to a selected group of my Facebook friends asking them to like my friends business... Sure, some liked it... But were they really interested in the business or just trying to be supportive of me?

I think small business owners should worry less about how many friends or followers they have on Facebook. Do good work and people will like you on and off line. Simple as that. 

Social Media and your Identity

I remember the first time I was asked if I was on Facebook. I was living near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis going to school at the Aveda Institute. Of course, this was not considered a university and therefore, I could not be on Facebook. At the time, I felt a little left out... and now, I just want to get out of it! I am being half serious... But, I do think it is a bit obnoxious. Goodness, with some of the stuff people post. It's enough to make me blush!
Speaking of what people post... How do you regulate your Facebook page? Do you put everything and more on your page or keep it pretty secure? Earlier this week I was reading the New York Times online and saw a discussion form about identity theft on social networks. Twitter, Facebook and other social sites that have been hacked. See the little blurb here and it's discussion. Will it change what you post or how you share your photos and personal information? Hmmmm....

Woof

 

targeted audiences?