Are you creating bad “social currency” on Facebook?
by that damn redhead on June 22, 2009
in Rants, Social Media
Courtney Engle pointed me to this awesome video by Scott Stratten of UnMarketing and it was too good not to share. Scott’s talking about bad “social currency” and the annoying stuff people do on Facebook:
I can totally empathize. There are many people who say that there’s no wrong way to use social media tools, but I think that’s a bunch of baloney. If you do the things that Scott’s describing, you might not think you’re doing anything “wrong,” but the rest of us want to reach through our computer screens and strangle you.
Scott only scratched the surface of “Don’t Be That Guy on Facebook” — personally my biggest pet peeve is That Guy who has to post the SAME DAMN STUFF to multiple Facebook groups and fan pages. I’m not going to name names, but I’ve got a couple of Those Guys.
People, please — don’t do that.
When you do that, it floods my (unexplainable) “highlights” section on the home page with the same thing over and over, e.g.: “John Doe added these 5 pictures of Event X to the group __”, and “John Doe added these 5 pictures of Event X to the page __,” etc.
If you have a story or some pictures you think might be of interest to people in similar groups or fans of similar things, chances are they’re mostly the same people and you’re spamming them.
FACEBOOK IS NOT FOR SPAMMING.
When you do this, it may appear to you that you know who your audience is because you’re targeting groups and fan pages of similar interest, but if you were really paying attention, you’d notice that it’s mostly the same people and you’re being rude. If you are in multiple groups and pages of similar interest, so is everybody else you’re trying to reach.
Sure, I could choose to “hide” updates and stuff from the people who do this, but then I’d not get the information at all, and I do want to receive the information. Just not over and over and over again.
So if this sounds like you, cut it out. If it sounds like somebody you know but don’t have the heart to tell them, send them a link to this post.
What other annoying things have you noticed people do on Facebook? Rant away!
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RT @damnredhead Are you creating bad “social currency” on Facebook? [link to post] (featuring @unmarketing). I know some of those guys.
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@unmarketing hey thought you should know I liked your video so much I featured it on my blog [link to post] (thx @courtneyengle)
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new post – Are you creating bad “social currency” on Facebook? [link to post] (featuring @unmarketing)
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RT @damnredhead: new post – Are you creating bad “social currency” on Facebook? [link to post] (featuring @unmarketing)
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@damnredhead My biggest pet peeve are people who link their Twitter, Tumblr, blog, etc into their news feed on FB. Narcissistic fools.
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@culturebrat I’ve also got the Person From HS I Never Want To Talk To keep friend requesting me. There should be a “3 requests, ur out” rule
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I loved Scott’s video. He has some great stuff even if he is a passionate Lions fan!
I hope I don’t come off as a spammer. I just love my Red Wings!
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RT @damnredhead Are you creating bad “social currency” on Facebook? | that damn redhead [link to post] (via @tweetmeme)
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@damnredhead asks “Are you creating bad “social currency” on Facebook?” Please don’t [link to post] (via @tweetmeme)
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Courtney Engle always finds cool stuff. This is no different. It’s a great video! I try to keep my computer strangling urges under control! LOL But like you said, when you are doing the type of things that Scott touches on in that video…you are that annoying social media networker that no one honestly wants to connect with in the long term.
The other Facebook frustration for me is the plethora of group invites and event invites. Holy schnikes!