Social networking used to be a simple form of entertainment for me. Now, it's a part of my job. Right now I'm currently working with Facebook and debating on whether or not to start a fan page for a new sports web site, a profile, or business ad or all three. Unfortunately the option for building a profile is becoming slim.
Everyone loves Facebook. Despite the changes they've made we all still update our statuses, check up on our friends, and take random quizzes. Aren't those things addicting? Three years ago I wouldn't have thought twice about which famous celebrity I was in a past life. In case you are curious, I was Marilyn Monroe.....I'd prefer to disagree on that one.
Should web sites offer quizzes about which product, article, or blog fits your personality? Do I see a new advertising sale option in the near future?
Anyway, Facebook makes changes, upsets people, changes a few things back, while many speculate the business plan is all wrong by catering to your users. Or is it? When launching a new web site wouldn't it be great to get your potential users opinions before launching it? They could create the marketing slogan, pick the colors, design the logo or the site even. Ideas for content could be submitted by future users.
When I wrote the business plan for a web site not once did it occur to me open a forum on MySpace or Facebook and have people submit their ideas. Instead I developed a brainstorming group from within the current company I worked for. In fact, I don't even think I even knew about facebook then? If I had dedicated a Facebook Fan Page or Myspace profile to future users opinions would we have been saved from doing four re-designs, cutting content, adding it back, and consistently changing the marketing and sales effort?
Social networking has created this idea that we should all participate in everything. We want to comment on pictures, notes, videos, statuses, and read all there is to know about our long lost friend from high school.
How many of you 'Become a Fan of' a business? How many of you would prefer to friend a local reporter and know about how their work day goes? And how many of you believe that social networking is simply a trend that will not be a HUGE help to a business?
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By "business" if you include rock bands as "businesses" then yes I have done so. I'm not sure which side of the fence I'm on with Facebook and commerce, everything and everywhere there's a commercial, but as I've learned, if you can make your content original and keep it as Facebook or Twitter only, then I think you should have a fine time making it work with a biz plan for social networking...just show a video that I can get elsewhere? Not so much. Good Luck...RT
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