We refer to it euphemistically as “social networking”, but let’s be more blunt. Facebook has changed the world. Granted it has moved from a universe inhabited by youth to the home of everyone’s great aunt, a storage facility for family photos and a world where pets have their own pages. That doesn’t change the fact that liking and friending are now key concepts for getting along in contemporary society.
It’s also part of modern marketing, and apparently I am well behind the times for not having realized this. Silly me, I was all caught up in the family photo thing.Well I’m proud to say I have now entered the year 2005 and made a Facebook page for my collection of books.You can find it here or by searching for Number 46. Ascending on Facebook.
As I understand it, the object of the game here is to get more and more people to like my page, and as they do they comment on or share things I post and it gets increasingly easier to get even more people (you know, actual strangers) to like me too. It sounds a little like playing Risk or Monopoly. If I get enough momentum going, I take over the world. And maybe after awhile one of these likers even buys a book.
Why wouldn’t you like somebody’s Facebook page? The biggest reason is that you rightly fear getting a deluge of stupid posts from them that clutter up your news feed. It has happened too often to me, and after a few days of junk I most emphatically do NOT like the product, person or page. So obviously this marketing approach requires ongoing thought and courtesy on the part of the poster, or a “now I actually hate you” button provided for the general masses.
In spite of these difficulties, I’d like you to like me. Fear not for your news feed. I am a delicate poster, aware of your sensibilities. I promise to be barely a flutter in your daily Facebook life, and if possible an enjoyable one at that.
So please. Like me. I’ll like you back. 🙂