Dear Facebook friends and acquaintances,
I tried to say this subtly. And it’s just me looking out for you. So, I’ll say it again. More directly this time.
If you have a fan page that you want someone to like, like their page first. Then, ask for a like.
I’ll say it even more clearly. Like my fan page, first. Then, ask me to like yours. Not the other way around.
Give then take, people. You’ll be liked a lot more.
How do you make friends on social networks? For blogs, instagram and twitter, it’s basically the same. Reblog a post. Comment on a photo. Reply to a tweet.
Give, give, give.
The logic is simple. Give someone appreciation for their work, and they’ll return the favor. Also a pretty good plan for life.
Facebook, however, lets you skip this step. Without any giving at all, you can ask for “Likes” in mass. Please like my facebook fan page. We’re acquaintances, right?
Just ask, ask, ask.
It’s like a homeless guy asking for a dollar. Yes, he’ll get some. But isn’t he more likely to get the dollar if he has already given your facebook fan page a like?
You’re asked to like facebook fan pages all the time. When you decline, or say “Do not like”, what is your message?
If you say no to McDonald’s, you’re saying no to their products. No to their impact on society. No, don’t market to me.
If you say no to Draftstreet, you’re saying no to their services. No, I don’t want to play. No, I don’t want to join the conversation.
If you say to lifeisnoyoke, you’re saying no to their content. I don’t like your ideas. I don’t want to change my views on food.
The exact message varies when you “Do not like”. But, it’s always clear. And always yours.
Own it.
When you “Like” an organization’s fan page, what is your message?
Let’s say you “Like” McDonald’s. That’s great. You buy their product and are not ashamed to admit it.
Let’s say you “Like” DraftStreet. That’s great. You use their service and want to join the conversation.
Let’s say you “Like” lifeisnoyoke. That’s great. You appreciate their content and want more.
The message varies when you “Like” an organization’s fan page. The result, however, does not. “Liking” a fan page is a recommendation. A recommendation to your entire network. And their network. And their networks.
That’s change-the-world stuff. Powerful.
So, what organizations did you “Like” today? My recommendation is that you think about it.
Like.