Facebook Organic Panic

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The recent changes at Facebook announced by Mark Zuckerberg have caused panic and meltdowns by some so-called social media “experts.” These one-trick marketers think it’s the end of the world for Facebook and are spreading false fear to brands. I hope your competitors listen to this insanity.

Please share this terrible advice with your competitors:

  • Yes, Facebook is dying. It will probably go away forever very soon.
  • Facebook organic reach will be so low that it’s just not worth using Facebook anymore.
  • Facebook ad rates will go up. So instead of advertising to grow your business in the midst of the biggest business boom in 30 years, you should pull back and start hoarding pennies.
  • Stop using social media altogether.
  • Go back to relying on direct mail ads, newspaper ads, and yellow page ads, because, sure, that’s where customers are spending time.
  • Also, the sky is falling! Eek!

 

Don’t Panic

Let your competitors lose their heads. If they’re going to pull back on Facebook due to decreased space, that’s more space for the rest of us!

I’m not sure if any of these social media “gurus” really believe Facebook is falling, are just trying to get noticed, or have a deep resentment of Facebook’s success and are looking to celebrate a decline. But make no mistake – the only failure here will be made by those not constantly adapting and capitalizing on changes in social media.

 

What to Do

Here are my three recommendations in dealing with these changes on Facebook:

1. Double down on Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads. Will ad rates go up? Of course they will. Facebook ads are more effective and more efficient than any other ads available today. Prepare for a year where the US economy will grow 3-4% (finally!). So yes, ad rates will go up and so will your revenue if new customers can find you and can engage with you.

2. Create even better, more sharable content. The value of organic content is no longer about hitting many current fans with a message. The real value comes from getting a few fans or customers to share your content or their experience with their friends.  As per last week’s news feed changes, these shared posts by friends will dominate screens.

3. Consult a professional. Do you really want to spend your entire day navigating these increasingly complicated waters?

 

 

#TBT #Vinyl Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dick Dale, Pipeline, 1987

Stevie Ray Vaughan Pipeline

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Dick Dale
Pipeline
Columbia Records
1987

Stevie & Dick recorded the surf guitar classic for the movie Back To The Beach. 

 

Stevie Ray Vaughan Pipeline

Stevie Ray Vaughan Pipeline

#TBT #Vinyl The Kings Are Here, 1980

Switchin' to Glide

The Kings
This Beat Goes On / Switchin’ To Glide
The Kings Are Here
Elektra Records
1980

 

One of my all-time favorites is the 2-in-1 song “This Beat Goes On / Switchin’ To Glide” from 1980. This was a huge regional hit in Toronto, Vancouver, and Chicago (all the rock stations here played it!) but not as well known outside of these cities. 

 

Switchin' to Glide

Switchin' to Glide

Switchin' to Glide

 

Switchin' to Glide

 

 

 

 

#TBT #Vinyl The Jayhawks, Blue, 1995

The Jayhawks Blue

The Jayhawks
Blue
American Recordings
1995

 

Here’s the blue vinyl 45 version of The Jayhawks‘ Blue. While it’s actually not a Christmas song, this promo 7″ version was packaged as a Christmas Song. 

The Jayhawks Blue

The Jayhawks Blue

 

#TBT #Vinyl Billy Joel, The Nylon Curtain, 1982

Billy Joel The Nylon Curtain

Billy Joel
The Nylon Curtain
Columbia Records
1982

Billy Joel‘s best album – skip the hits and check out Beatle-esque “Laura” and Christmas song (kind of) “She’s Right on Time.” Liberty DeVito never sounded better on the drums!

Billy Joel The Nylon Curtain

 

Billy Joel The Nylon Curtain

5 Tips for Networking After a Conference

name tag

We’ve read many articles and posts with tips on maximizing our networking at or before an industry conference. But what do you do after a conference to follow-up with the people you just met?

Most people have two go-to moves: send an email or invite them to connect on LinkedIn. Here are five ideas that expand on those two moves that might make networking with you more appealing:

 

1. Connect on LinkedIn with a personalized note.
The personalized notes you add to LinkedIn invitations now look like LinkedIn Messages when received. Until recently, these notes were not as easily noticed. When users made the exodus to the LinkedIn mobile app, they didn’t see the notes at all. But now your recipient will receive an alert that he or she has a message making the customized notes are even more important.

 

2. Change the timing of your email
Everyone sends a follow-up email the Monday after a conference. Why not connect the same day? Show the person you met that they are still top of mind later in the day or evening. If you can’t send a note while at the show, how about waiting one week? If there’s a real connection there, it’s worth waiting.

Either way, avoid getting lost in all the Monday morning emails and fires.

 

3. Hand-written note
My new “old” favorite. Emails, texts, and LI messages are quick and easy. For the most important new connections, take the time to write a note by hand and mail it. Your new contact will love receiving real mail.

 

4. Phone call
Pick up the phone when possible! But, when they don’t answer, don’t leave a voicemail. This is when you should send the email. No one wants to wade through their voicemail to hear your message. No one.

 

5. Share on Social
Share your pics from the event, the organizers’ links to handouts, or other sharable content immediately after the show. Use the conference’s hashtag so more people find the posts. Other attendees will find this helpful!

Last week on Social Geek Radio, Deb Evans and I discussed this topic in connection with some recent franchise conferences we attended. Please listen here or download on iTunes!