By Vincenzo M. Landino [Global Social Agency Strategist at Market Edge | Startup Consultant | Entrepreneur]
I've
been seeing a lot of people lately declaring their exit from the social
network, Facebook. I thought nothing of it, until recently, a friend of
mine wrote this article in regards to why he has decided to leave, and
feels all should. His article reached over 13,000 people with hundreds
of shares and comments in just over a day. Then I really started
thinking, "I don't agree and need to share why."
I don't like to write rebuttals, however, on this topic, I had to add my $0.02.
Forget
the FarmVille requests and "chain posts" for the sake of discussing
what the network is actually used for when used properly. From the top,
here are seven reasons why I won't be leaving Facebook any time soon.
Social
Equity: First, you might realize that Facebook is a social tool. If you
register on Facebook and fill out your profile with detail, don't be
surprised if your relatives, old classmates and other ghosts from the
past find you. In fact, they will find you. I've connected with family
in Italy that I wouldn't talk to nearly as often without Facebook. I've
connected with former classmates that have turned into clients. In fact,
those "old" friends and family could turn into your biggest advocates.
Humanize
Your (Personal) Brand: I am the single biggest proponent of displaying
your brand 24/7. Whether you are working, at the gym, on vacation or on
the links, you are always your brand. Over the years, there has been a
shift from separating work life and personal life to a more open and
blended culture. Its ok to share some vacation photos or that you're at
the game. Potential clients want to see someone that is well rounded.
This goes without saying, but if you post photos of you downing 20
tequila shots Saturday night and forget to get that report in on Monday
morning... you're pretty much up sh*ts creek. I still vouch for being
responsible is better than not having it at all.
Syndicate Your
Content: Get out from under the rock you're living under if you aren't
blogging or creating your own content. With Facebook, you already have
an audience that is (hopefully) listening. Get your blog out to those
people. You also can stream your Twitter, Flickr, Digg and other
accounts into Facebook. It's up to you what you want to share or leave
out.
Raise Your Visibility: By consistently posting on Facebook, you
are posting relevant information and creating a leadership position for
yourself and your business.
Transparency: If you do all the above,
you can't avoid transparency. "Transparency" is the business buzzword
for the 21st century, and your participation in this arena will create
synergy toward that goal for others.
Security Options: As with all
social networks, including LinkedIn, you can customize who you want to
see your content. You can also turn on a feature that allows you to
control posts that are put on your wall, photos you are tagged in and
more. Use them! I do, and this is why Facebook doesn't bother me as much
as it does others. If there are brands or people I don't want to hear
from, I turn them off, mute them or unfollow them.
Don't Fool
Yourself: This is probably shocking to many, but, if you think Facebook
is the only network that collects your information, your head is in the
sand. Every network uses your information in some way, shape or form. Do
you use email? Ever notice the "customized" ads? Yea, they're
collecting your info too. Do you use Google Chrome? Foursquare? Hell, do
you use a smartphone? Do you take pictures on your smartphone? Post
them to Instagram? Information about you, geolocation information on
your photos, browser cache and cookies (that have been around since the
beginning of the internet) are all used to collect information about
you. As my nonna always said to me, "quello che non fai, nessuno mai
sapere." Translation: What you don't do, no one will ever know. Let that
sink in for a second, and apply it to your social (media) life.
I'm a
Social Media Strategist. Social media is what I do. The same reasons I
chose to pursue a career in social media are the same reasons why I
myself won't leave any of the networks I belong to. They are all
important in their own way and come together to form a social strategy,
be it for business or personal.
Like what you’ve read? Please take
the time to share with your LinkedIN contacts, Facebook friends and
Twitter followers. Follow and join in the conversation with me on
Twitter at @VincenzoLandino.
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