Facebook - are you kidding me?
Posted by Asa Beavers on Wed, Apr 01, 2009 @ 11:00 AM
It was just 4 or 5 months ago my two college-aged kids, who are both Facebook savvy and have been for a long time, got a “friend request” from their 65 year old uncle. Both were just a little freaked out about having an old person in their group of friends and they chose to ignore the request. My wife and I, being non-facebook users, thought it was a bit strange that her brother was “friending” our kids. We thought Facebook was for the younger crowd who would rather communicate in short text sound bites than have real conversations. And of course there’s the sensationalized media stories of indiscrete adults using social networking as a way to “meet” young people. I was convinced it wasn’t for me.
Now fast-forward to just two months ago when some of my peers are asking me if I’m on Facebook. Imagine my body language and tone in my voice when I respond with “are you kidding me, you’re on Facebook?” And it wasn’t too long after that I began the process of trying to figure out what possible value being on Facebook could have for me and my business. What I was failing to understand was why anybody would want to know what’s on my mind. In all practicality it was useless so why would I want to invest any time into it.
Finally, just two weeks ago I was meeting with a client who is an admitted computer-phobe. While she struggles with email, spreadsheets and documents, she’s got Facebook all figured out. It was during this meeting when she turned the tables on me. Usually I’m the one saying to her that she’s “over-thinking” a project or issue, and that taking action is more important than analyzing every step and doing nothing. Then somehow Facebook entered into our conversation and it was obvious we were truly in her realm, she the expert and I the incompetent. As I raised my objections and put up my guard, she quickly diffused me by saying, you guessed it, “stop over-thinking and trying to analyze why, and just give it a try”. Good advice. She had me.
So I’m now on Facebook - or, at least I have an account set up. Without even trying I actually have several friend who have found me. I’m not sure yet just how much time I will invest in this new endeavor. It’s easy to see why some people can spend hours on it.
Most importantly, I have created a separate page for my business. This is the real reason I now find Facebook so intriguing. It’s tough to ignore a medium where I can communicate easily and casually with friends of my business - for free! I’m a convert and in all probability you will be too. Social media is here to stay, and it’s not a kid’s game at all - no kidding!
Come on, give it a try. Follow the link to friend me, or fan me on Facebook.