Facebook changed us. For frequent users of this version of social network, this change is evident. As a recent phenomenon, the functions of Facebook’s status walls and like buttons have changed the way we allow ourselves to be presented, whether intentionally or not.
Why don’t we behave in similar ways in real life like we do on Facebook? Several factors include 1. Social norms – we can’t allow ourselves to mouth off to our heart’s content in the presence of just anybody. Sitting behind the relative safety of the computer shields us from plenty of possible non-pleasantries. 2. Coverage – there aren’t a lot of people that we can reach even when we yell at the top of our lungs. 3. Timeliness – words are transient – nobody will wait around to hear what you really wanted to say, and your words won’t float around for other people to pick up later. 4. Convenience – in the real world, how often do you get a chance to tell everyone about everything you liked about this world?
If what you need are Chevrolet pictures or you are searching around for Holden parts, a random post to my Facebook page lets you discover it in a recommended way. Facebook not only tells me what you are into, but gives me the option of joining you in that interest.
Openbook is a website that exploits the mechanical flaws of Facebook in order to bring the social media population all the status updates you can find from its half a billion users, and anyone can have fair impression of what your average commoner wants the whole world to know. For a phrase as uninspiring as “had a great lunch”, a Facebook user has no qualms to muster the energy to log on, type it out, in attempt to share with the whole world a piece of her mind.
On the other hand Facebook also allows us to reveal a more sophisticated image of who we are. By visiting a friends’ Profile page, we get a glimpse into the list of products, ideas, people or phrases he or she had gone out the way to click the Like button on. Your friend wants us to know what he or she likes about the world, and whether intentionally or not, wants us to see them in a particular light according to the subjects they pushed the Like button on. In general, these details of selective affection are genuine given that there are virtually no monetary incentives for you or your friends to click any of these Like buttons. Essentially, the Like buttons are the labels we have chosen for ourselves in the 21st century.
Each instance of “Like” that is added to a user’s profile is viewed as an idea, character, product or organisation that the user would prefer us to associate them with.
Businesses should be aware of Facebook’s influence on their brand’s standing in the market. It has given millions of people the power to boost or kills your business for you, therefore implementing a strategy to ensure your business takes advantage of the marketing power of Facebook is imperative.
To see an example of a Facebook page that is successfully interacting with its users, check out First in Health or Drift Legends for examples.
