Marketing From A Woman's Point of View

2 Reasons Facebook Is Highly Overrated

by Coree on May 23rd, 2009

crazysalesguy 200x300 2 Reasons Facebook Is Highly OverratedAm I the only one that feels Facebook is all about trendy cliques? Facebook is highly overrated in my opinion. Here’s why:

  1. Fake friends suck. Facebook seems to be full of self worshiping falsely-enlightened MLM network marketers trying to push their product. These people will not take the time to comment or talk to someone unless that someone belongs to their network marketing team and that person is lathering them up with so much butter that they could squeeze through the eye of a needle (edited for tender eyes). THEN they will be so kind as to comment back and give that commenter another piece of advice that is taken directly from a Tony Robbins book so they can sound more powerful.
  2. Bombardment of Facebook apps, games, and quizzes. No, I don’t want to join your Mobster team. No, I don’t want to join your “group” that is another way to market your product. And I especially do not want to take 15 quizzes full of misspelled words and school age answers designed by 12yr old kids that got tired of Myspace. Sure, a few quizzes are fun and/or mildly entertaining to take and I’ve done a few myself in those moments of wanting to escape the tidal wave of MLM group requests. We all like to discover a way of describing ourselves differently and maybe, just maybe, I thought there would be someone I knew to comment on how much like me the results sounded. Silly chick. Don’t you know they are too busy writing their next post or convincing some other blind follower that they are the next Ghandi?

As I started to work my way around Facebook I thought, wow this is pretty cool that you can add links with images, videos, automatically post your blog and socialize with friends. But what I have come to find is that it’s like high school all over again. You have to be part of the right club to be popular, or fake it until you are. For those of us that think being fake sucks, it makes Facebook a crapload of superficial self-absorbed cliques.

I must say that there is one person on Facebook that I do admire and that is not like the rest.  It would be the social media expert, Mari Smith.  She definitely has the strategy down and knows how to spread her social love across the board.  As a matter of fact,  after venting my opinions here I think perhaps I need to look more closely into her teachings.  I may end up being her best testimony.

Am I wrong about Facebook? Possibly. Maybe I have just added the wrong group of friends, tried to join the wrong clique or have completely misunderstood the community. I don’t give up easily and I don’t want to give up now, but perhaps it’s time for a Facebook overhaul.

If  you share some of my opinions and would like to be part of a REAL Facebook friend network, you can add me here:  Market Like A Chick on Facebook, otherwise known as Coree. :)   When I go through my overhaul I’ll hopefully have added a few people that actually enjoy socializing.

How do you feel about Facebook? What is your favorite social media network?

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  • Literally spit Dr. Pepper everywhere when I read "Fake freinds Suck" That they do lol
    Kas

    <abbr>Kasandria Reasoner’s last blog post..Bzz BIC® Soleil Bella™ Razor</abbr>
  • @Kasandria: Hehe...I have a tendency to be pretty blunt when I am frustrated....well, actually I am pretty blunt most of the time! I'm learning more and more about social media and am starting to understand that Facebook is just what you make of it. I added people without really looking into what they were all about and it set me up for disaster. It doesn't make the others any less fake though, because they still do exactly what I stated. I just take responsibility for allowing it. Good luck with the next Dr. Pepper! ;)
  • Thanks for the great post! I'm not on Facebook and don't know if I ever will be - just doesn't seem like a tool that I could effectively utilize. I'm a proud Twitterholic! The relationships that I've formed there have been instrumental to my speaking business and personal life as well.

    If I ever decide to jump on the FB bandwagon, I'll be sure to connect with your group. This is my first time on your blog (as a result of you following me on Twitter) and I'm grateful that you made the connection. Let's see how quickly we can turn it into a real-life partnership. :)

    Much Love,

    Donna J
    @DonnaSpeaks
  • @Donna: Hmm... I posted a reply a while back but just realized that when I had to restore my data file that some of my comments didn't make it back on the blog. So, sorry about the delay.
    Don't let my post intimidate you about FB. Since I wrote this I have calmed down and realized that there are some excellent resources there if you just take the time to research. Also, don't do what I did and just go on an adding spree...it's overwhelming trying to keep up with everyone's posts and I feel guilty if I don't respond. Take things slow and find a few friends. Thank you for stopping by & Good Luck!
  • Tally Netzer
    first - Thank you for saying it

    i very much agree with Adam Pieniazek's take on the subject
    each social tool is userfull in a different way - a lot depends on you personality and preferences

    i never managed to really connect with Facebook, although i use linkedin and twitter regularly

    but the most important note (especially being a marketing consultant) is that moderation and good taste must apply whereever you are!

    tally
  • Here's the way I look at the three big social networks.

    Facebook is a toy. It's a way of sending quick little notes to people I likely know in real life. It's the place where I'm most likely to run into people I already know but also the place I'm most likely to be bombarded by silly quizzes and games. It's a good way to get in touch and stay in touch with people I already know but for networking with new contact it's useless because it's a glorified toy.

    LinkedIn is a tool for making business connections. Nearly everyone on there is a professional and is there to make business contacts. You won't find any silly games and if you're not there to talk shop you won't find much to do. But, if you want to talk business and meet business contacts it's great. It's also a great site to post testimonials and show potential clients/employers that you know your stuff.

    Twitter is a communications platform. It's a way to meet new people from your niche/industry and other like-minded individuals. It's also a great way to meet people in your area and find networking events (tweetups). It's also a tool for tracking trends and seeing the latest news.

    So, to summarize, Facebook is a toy, LinkedIn & Twitter are tools.

    <abbr>Adam Pieniazek’s last blog post..Boston Young Entrepreneurs Recap</abbr>
  • @Adam: You're right on, as usual. I have seen many people do great with marketing on Facebook, but as with any social network I think it's all about moderation and being sociable with people not just in-your-face marketing tactics. Thanks Adam! Love hearing from you.

    @Tally: Glad that you have your own values to share on social media, or at least identify with someone as knowledgeable as Adam. As far as staying in good taste...well, that's what I would say to the socially tasteless scam artists that have dominated Facebook. One thing you will find on my blog is a very blunt and honest opinion about marketing, not for the easily offended. Being a woman doesn't mean everything is written in pink and covered in sugar, at least not this woman. :)
  • @Jill: Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I'm with you on what it's all about. Yes, I am in Marketing, and yes I do believe social media can be used for marketing. But, at least TRY to be social and friendly. Talk to people and ask questions. Get to know them and you'll have a better chance later on after building trust to refer a product to them. Notice I said 'refer' not push! I don't think selling should take much work if it's something worth having and people trust your opinion and knowledge in the area.

    Thanks for taking the plunge and not being intimidated to go against the grain! Hope you come by more often!
  • Jill (myso/twitter)
    AMEN!!!
    Like Facebook because have reconnected with some friends, but too much other stuff. But, also feel that way about twitter some times. Get tired of same old stuff and pushing their product/marketing secret. Very new to this, but I think they have all missed the point. Share/joke/help/make friends. that is what it is about. If have something(product ) to share, do that on limited basis.
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