The following is an e-mail I received from Paul Colligan, which inspired me to finally take the leap and get Facebook under control. To tame the beast and use it, instead of having it use me. I hope you find it useful, or at least entertaining.
Paul, if you mind me putting this up, please do let me know.
Short version:
Moving to a “Fan Page” model at Facebook to make more sense of things. Would love you as a “Fan” here –
Long version:
It’s not you, it’s me …
REALLY
When I joined Facebook, I didn’t think it all the way through.
And now I have to do something drastic …
(and it’s going to take a couple of weeks)
By mixing business and personal in the same account, here on Facebook. I was no good to anybody. Here’s a few highlights:
* Personal friends and family who weren’t interested in my business found themselves with lots of marketing messages. I’m amazed at anyone who ’stayed a friend” – but that’s another note all together.
* Business partners, associates, etc., got a bunch of confusing personal updates when they were trying to get work done. So much for “Market to Message Match.”
* I couldn’t “use” Facebook like a normal person (with 4000+ “friends”) and here I am trying to figure out what Facebook means and how normal people use it …
So, here’s what I’ve done about it:
* I’ve asked my assistant to unfriend EVERYBODY in Facebook and send them this note. The best man in my wedding is on this list – so please don’t feel offended.
(I did figure I wouldn’t unfriend Heidi – too many implications there)
* I’ve sent you all this note.
* I plan on “refriending” my friends and engaging in active business dialog at the “page” discussed below – I think it will turn out to be the best of both worlds.
You have three options:
Option 1-
I’ve set up a “page” at Facebook where I’ll be focussing on the “Business” and “New Media” side of Paul. You can see it here (please click to become a “Fan”). It should be a fun place to meet up and chat.
To encourage others to become a Fan, I’m hosting a special Webinar on Facebook for free where I’ll walk through every stop of this process and share what I’ve learned along the way.
Details will be emailed to everyone who has “fanned” me on that page through a Facebook update.
This will be the most appropriate action for most of you.
Here’s the link one more time –
Option 2 –
If we really are friends (i.e., you know my kid’s names) feel free to friend me again on Facebook – I’ll respond shortly.
Also know that I’ll be seeking to replenish my friends list very soon anyway, and I’ll eventually find everyone again – but feel free to speed up the process.
Option 3 –
I’m sure this move will offend a few. Please understand it is certainly a drastic move – but one I needed to take.
Didn’t mean to offend – sorry if I did.
+++
Yup, wacky …
This social media stuff is fascinating. I look forward to (and, I’ll be honest, equally as much) using Facebook like “everyone else” and sharing with those interested what I learned along the way.
Thanks for understanding.
Paul
For those interested in seeing my 2nd-round Facebook attempt, which has worked like clockwork and turned out to be both more fun and more useful, take a glance at Tim Ferriss 2.0.
If you own a business or brand, the analytics alone are worth the effort of setting it up as a complement to your existing profile.
Use your tools. Don’t let them use you.