You're in a bar, the guy or girl is cute, you don't want to look too pushy or suffer the consequemces of a possible rejection, so instead of the embarraring task of asking for their number you say: Are you on Facebook?' Nine times out of ten they reply 'yes' and you say: Lets be friends'. Most people would never say no. They can always ignore your request like a phone call, but somehow it doesn't carry the same level of shame.
Not only has Facebook eased the dating game but it has also become a useful tool for businesses. Before I go into how, let me explain what Facebook is. Unless you've been hiding out in a cave somewhere chanting a million OM's in the hope of being realised, then you will know a little about facebook but just in case....here goes.
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. As of January 2011, Facebook has more than 600 million active users.
It's a social media website to connect friends, family, and business associates. Currently the largest of the networking sites, with the runner up being MySpace. It began as a college networking website and through an entreprenual genius idea has expanded to include anyone and everyone.
Seriously from kids to granny's; from nobody's to celebrities Facebook is as commonly used as the telephone. No wonder its founder is smiling as well as stinking rich!
Facebook operates by users creating a profile page that shows their friends, networks information about themselves. There are links to their photos and there is an email service for messages. The thing with facebook is that it's not only easy to use but also really easy to find friends through your email and through friends being suggested. I mean seriously I never thought I would ever find my childhood friends and for those highschool nightmare years, I am glad to have a decent looking profile picture to eradicate the last images, the then hot boys (now balding with pot bellied) had of me.
Another great feature is that Groups can be created by users, so shared interests can be had and connections made. A friend of mine met his future wife through one such group he never thought posting a comment about Elvis would result in a ring on his finger.
One of my favourite features is the Events feature that allows friends to organize parties, concerts, and other get togethers in the real world. Users can also become fans of everything such as people, organizations, television shows, movies, and musicians.
To add to all this there are numerous applications available to add to a profile, ranging from a list of Top Friends to movie compatibility with others, and maps of where users have traveled.
Things go viral really quickly on facebook, as users share news stories, video, and other files with friends. One of the top YouTube hits became such through being sent around the world through Facebook. This becomes fun for users as it s interactive - people share their views on stories and it generates a dialogue and interest. I have added friends of friends as a result of their humourous comments and become quite good cyber friends over the years.
Not only is Facebook a great, fun social tool it is also incredibly powerful tool for online marketing, surpassing MySpace as the most popular social networking site, reaching over 200 million people worldwide. If you are looking to spread your business online, this is avenue you don't want to bypass.
So how does one go about it?
Facebook Ads These pop up as banners and adverts on the side of the Facebook page. It's not too in your face but subtle enough not to be annoying and yet visible enough to be taken note of. The great thing about the ads are that they are selected depending on the users anticpated needs. The information a user puts into facebook is used as criteria and they instantly become a sales lead. If the user is joined to a number if musical groups or has shown an interest in certain events or causes, than ads related to these subjects, directly or indirectly will be seen on their profile...clever stuff that works.
Be my Fan Rock stars and celebrities would be no-where without their fans. Getting a following as you would on Myspace, Twitter or through a Blog is a must. Facebook offers you the opprtunity to create a fan page If you have a product, build a fan page for it and encourage users to become fans. Offer useful information, tips, or games.
Facebook Applications Even I have been guilty of participating in these applications. Especially sitting at home alone on Valentines night where the quiz: How close are you to finding your souls mate' was very appealing. So in business terms you can create these applications with reference to your product or service or even something just funny and clever to engage your fans. I mean it wasn't just Tom Jones's singing that resulted in women taking off their knickers and throwing them onto the stage.
As a marketing tool, Facebook is here to stay. Unfortunately too many businesses give up too early...you have to wait it out, a bit like a fisherman stitting on the edge of the bank...the fish will come eventually, just throw in enough hooks and wait. See your Facebook adventure as a step by step approach to first build trust, traffic and eventually sales.
Now go get em make some friends and plenty of money!
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