I’ve been telling my clients not to use the “fan” word for some time. The ideal scenario is to use a Facebook Fan Page like a “group”. Make it about “we” instead of “me”. One great example is Bruce Sallan‘s Facebook Page: facebook.com/aDadsPointofView In just four months, it is up to over 1500 members. There are active discussion groups and interaction on the wall is excellent.
Facebook is about to make it easier for members to join your Facebook Page. Facebook users are already accustomed to giving a thumbs up “like” to things they like on Facebook. Now instead of having to declare that they are a “fan” of a brand, organization or person, they can join a page by saying they like it. The language would change but the results would be the same. The Facebook Page icon is listed on the members profile.
The move is apparently linked to a desire for getting more Facebook ads for Pages. Oh I’m sorry – are companies not supposed to monetize? Does that make them evil? Is Facebook supposed to belong to “the people”? You will definitely see that reaction but whole families will continue using Facebook because it’s still a great platform.
I very much LIKE this CNET analytical article on the move published today: Twitter Pokes at Facebook’s Marketing Future April 1 by Caroline McCarthy
I’m glad to have discovered Caroline (apparently the last on my block).
Also at:
Inside Facebook March 29 by Eric Elden
Yahoo News March 30 by Barbara Ortutay
Bruce Sallan says
April 4, 2010 at 2:59 amThanks for all the advice that got me "here" – you are very good at what you do & I’m so grateful!