So, it’s been several days since I hosted the multi-page Facebook Friday party on The Media Barista’s wall. As the person behind the multi-page party, even when it’s not hosted on one of my pages, it’s been interesting to watch the interactions, behaviors and personalities that are brought to light after weeks of connections.
I thought it might be useful to share some of the reasons why I, and many others, choose not to like a page. My take will have a slight bias toward the types of pages I tend to connect with – other marketers, designers and social business solution providers.
(1) You haven’t posted an update in weeks. I connect because I genuinely have an interest in what you do and say. It is my intent to share great information, every day, from a wide variety of sources. If you don’t have anything to share for weeks on end, there’s really no reason for me to keep you front of mind.
(2) Your wall isn’t open to comments. Open and transparent are crucial to social connection that build into valuable relationships. If you aren’t willing to accept comments and questions on your wall, you don’t appear open. In fact, you appear anti-social.
(3) You don’t have a cover image. Just a few moments ago I visited a design page. Their about section detailed their services in this way:
* Website development, website design
* Branding, logos, visual identities, branding audits
* Marketing materials, stationery,Do you need help getting your company the recognition it deserves?We provide you the tools you need to get your message across to YOUR ideal clients.
The reason I didn’t like it? How can a branding and digital design expert think that there’s any way it’s professional to share a Facebook page with no cover image? Same goes for a social solutions “expert”. If you can’t sort out how to set up your own Facebook page, how am I to believe you can set up pages for your clients?
(4) Your cover image has contact info or a call to action. Cheaters never prosper with me. Especially, again, those who profess an expertise in the social sphere. And I’m not fooled when it’s tiny and cryptic, nearly hidden in the far upper right corner. I still see it, and it keeps me from clicking Like.
(5) You cheat the party before I even have a chance to view your page. We see it every week. Two or three of the same “participants” try to cheat our very simple rules. We understand one time mistakes, and we politely correct. But you know the type of whom I speak. Regularly post three or four pages when the limit is one, never post using their personal profile, keep trying to bump themselves in front of other participant eyes. Honestly, I never even click on their link, as I have no intention of bestowing a like. And, if I see this repeat behavior from a page owner who has already received a like, that like is revoked.
(6) Every post comes via third party application. It’s about conversations, questions asked and answered discussions and debates. But when I view these pages, there’s no back and forth. It’s one way. A long line of links only posts from a variety of third party schedulers.
(7) You’re the “caught up to here” guy or gal. This one might not mean so much to others, but it gets to me. These are the participants who regularly tell you they’ve “caught up” to a certain point in the posts and they’ve liked EVERY page. Why do we not tend to like their pages? Because they’re indiscriminate in who/what they like. They don’t like with intent and purpose. They’re in fact, only interested in trading likes to bump their numbers. Interaction and valuable information from these types of page owners tends to be less than stellar in my eyes.
(8) The bulk of your posts are motivational quotes or images with motivational quotes layered over them. An occasional quote is okay, especially if you share something of yourself and tell me why it’s important to you or your business. Otherwise, it’s easy post fodder that can be found and scheduled so far in advance it requires little thought and little care.
(9) All of your posts are posts to your page wall from your personal account. Why are you accosting your friends with all of these business posts? If we’re friends, I’d like to see posts about you, not your business. This seems like a shady means to get around using your personal profile for business – which violates terms of service. It looks unprofessional, as it appears you can’t figure out how to post from your page properly.
10. You autofeed your tweets to Facebook! ACK!!! Hashtags on Facebook have no value whatsoever. They are simply annoying and show a lack of care and understanding for the platform and your audience. Why should we follow you on more than one platform if you aren’t going to take the time to share different information on each?
So, there you have it. A round-up of the top reasons I choose not to like a page. Do you disagree with any I’ve posted? Have one that I appear to be missing? I’d love to hear from you. Maybe we can start a nice discussion, give and take a little, be social!
Mallie, I agree 100%. I would add I am seeing more trolling after a Fan Page Friday where people “like” my page several days later and place an Ad in the status. No other information on the person or why they liked my page. Deleted two out this morning. Great list!
Nancy!
Great addition. We’ve notice a rise of that, too. Hope your mom is doing a bit better today.
Great blog on the FF Phenomenon.
Many good points too, if people take the time to engage and be “Social” I am far more likely to respond.
Thanks so much, Rob! Great to see some new faces commenting and getting in on the discussion. Response revolves around getting something beneficial, doesn’t it?
Your blog hit a home run Mallie! You’ve covered the bases of all the fouls and strikes going on with the Facebook Friday games.
Thanks, Michele! We’ll see if it strikes a chord, good or bad, with any of our other readers, too!
A wonderful summary of why not every page needs to be liked on Facebook Friday. You make some very valid points that others should consider when following a page.
Appreciate it, Jen. I think, because it’s my profession, too – that I might sometimes appear a bit harsh, but I like to think it’s intent. I want to make connections that allow me to share, grow, think and prosper.
I’m thinking you and I should meet! LOL Your post has all of my own reasons and THEN SOME!! I have to laugh at so many of them to keep from crying!! (oh, and as a type A, sometimes I DO put “done to here”!! forgive me?)
Thanks, Martha. We’d be willing to bet, though – that when you post “done to here” you haven’t indiscriminately liked every page. Knowing you a bit – we’ll have to Skype sometime to make it more than a bit – I know you like and connect with intent.
Points 2 and 9 really clicked with me. Recently I unfriended someone because they posted identical posts on their personal page, and four of their business pages. I kept one business page connection. When they asked why I explained I liked fresh conversation without re-runs from the other three channels. I’m not sure they got it. But, it’s so good to read your blog post and know others have similar reactions as I have experienced and felt. Thanks for saying it so well.
Wonderful explanation, Ruth! I’m going to have to paraphrase that if I get any flack as part of my “Walk the Talk” initiative.
Mallie,
Don’t even get me started on #8 … memes with quotes and puppies and kittens – OH GAG!
I’ll admit when I went to my frist couple of FPF I was the #7 Gal. Thankfully I learned that you can absolutely be more discerning about the Pages you connect with (though some parties still have rules like, ‘Like’ at least X amount of Pages. Bleh.).
And #10. I still don’t get it. And I see it WAY too often!
Thanks for the great post (and a good laugh!).
Thanks, Brooke! It’s always a little surprising what you see as you continue to take part in these events.
Another educational post Mallie, thank you. Some of these points I haven’t outlined in such detail in my mind but especially numbers 6 and 8 are turn offs for me as a fan. Somehow I have just lost motivation for participating on these virtual parties. If I have extra time and I’m in the mood for putting the effort with low expectations then I go for it as I have found great connections like yours and the ladies who have commented above through these events.
It’s definitely time consuming and it requires diligence and the willingness to make an effort, Veronica. I’ve been careful and crafty building my own circle and I’ve seen good results.
What a great post Mallie!
This should be required reading for all page owners! Think it will be especially helpful to pages outside of the marketing arena that don’t even realize their wall isn’t open to comments and have never really had any help or guidance with their pages. Am definitely sharing!
Thanks, Kathy. I appreciate all the shares. I always hope I can “ring” that AHA bell and get some more social awareness out and about!
I love this Mallie!! I agree with you 100%!! I can’t stand it when pages do any of these – especially the ones who have no regard for rules.
Thanks, Mandy. I admit to sometimes feeling “floored” when I see some of these behaviors. They are just completely out of line with the ideal of what we do?
These were great, though I have to say #5 seems to be directly related to your Friday situation, which I have not participated in as of yet. The rest, though, seem to apply to everyone.
Totally awesome-o-matic post, Mallie!
I’m giving this one a tip of my hat and two thumbs up. I agree with your reasons for not clicking the “Like” button on a page.
For the love of Mike, I don’t understand why so many FB users set out to get 1000′s of fan page Likes … just for the sake of collecting them … as if having a business page is a game. Is that crazy or what?!
Well thank you, Melanie! We’ve very carefully our likes on both sides – the pages we like and the individuals who like our page in return. We hope to add value and share value, which to me is the epitome of social!
I like this, especially #10. When working with some businesses in the past, I occasionally felt that I was beating people over the head with this idea. The point of having both Twitter AND Facebook is to give people another way of connecting with you – as in, another way to see even more of who you are as a person, business, alien entity, whatever. If people feel like you’re just copying and pasting, and not making real connections, they’re not going to follow/friend/like you on two platforms. What would be the point?
I didn’t know whether to cringe or laugh at #3. …ouch.
We say you can do both! Cringe a little, laugh a little!
great post, I agree with all points. thank you.
Thanks for commenting, Sue! Glad to see you here!
WORD! As you would say. These are such point and exactly my views too. I’ve noticed that since I refined my approach to FPFs and like far fewer pages that I also have gotten fewer and fewer likes on my pages during events. BUT I’ve also noticed that my newbie participate! No more fans that immediately hide my feed. I’d rather have 3 new fans that engage than 30 zombies anyday!
WORD! LOL. We’re in agreement, Kerry. My like numbers might not be as high as some other professionals. But the level of discussion is just right!
Excellent post, Mallie! All points are well received and agreed on. Thank you for putting this together!
Yep. Spot on, Mallie.
One more to add…
When I see 10 pages in a row, all for the same MLM marketing company, run by 10 different people, but they are all selling the same thing. Whether it be SendOutCards, Visalus or Premier Jewelry; If I have my own source already, I am NOT going to like your page…I’d never buy anything from you anyway…
Wow, you were spot on with those 10, Mallie! While it’s hard to like every page you come across, these are definitely good reasons to avoid the offending pages like the plague! Great reminders for all of us who are FB page administrators – thanks!
Thanks, Jenn. I’ve taken to sending a gentle note to these pages, as part of my Walk the Talk theme for November. It has actually made a few pages take note and change some wrongdoings! SHOCKER!
Great post!! Every point you made was right on & I agree completely. Very glad I found you & am really looking forward to your future posts as well.
Best,
Danielle Frickleton
EPS Marketing Communications Director
Hi Mallie. This was a fun read. I hate #7! I also hate it when I get a direct message that they have liked my page and would appreciate it if I would return the favor. I didn’t ask them for a favor and because they asked me to like their page is exactly why I am not going to like their page. Great article. Thanks for putting it all down on paper. I am going to share it too!
Well said, Heather! The “favor” like is of absolutely no value to anyone. This person will just end up hiding your posts and will negatively impact your Edgerank.
I had the conversation about closing the wall with a group of attorneys I was working with. I got the reasons they would be concerned about allowing comments, but at the same time, that’s exactly the opposite of being social. I also don’t believe that all businesses NEED a Facebook page. You should know why your social media presence exists and have measurable goals and outcomes… not just be there because some tech person told you to!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brooke. You are absolutely correct. There’s no need for every business to have a page!
Great article. I feel a little guilty when a person from a page messages me that they liked my page and I just can’t like them back for any of the reasons above, but there you go – there’s no point in liking something you don’t actually like!
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