Are you leaving graffiti on other people’s property?
No, not you!
Do you post self-promoting notices, links and photos on people’s Facebook Walls?
Well, honey, it’s kind of the same thing.
When I first moved here to Kingston, New York, almost two years ago, I fell in love with the beautiful old brick buildings I would see on my morning walks. Some of them were empty; some had been refurbished, but all of them spoke volumes about the character and charm of Kingston — the city it once was and the city it could now be.
But every now and then, I’d cringe as I walked by one of these beauties, only to see that someone had spray painted graffiti on one of its brick walls. It made me so sad to think that someone had to leave their own ugly, self-obsessed stain on something so beautiful, something that didn’t belong to them… a historic building who’s beauty was available to everyone until it was defiled in this way.
Well, I see people on Facebook defiling Walls in the same self-centered way. And today’s Tough Love Tuesday is going to try to put a stop to it!
If you have something you want to promote… a new show you’re doing, a teleclass, or even a community fund raiser or important cause, DO NOT POST YOUR PROMOTIONAL COPY, LINK OR GRAPHIC ON OTHER PEOPLE’S FACEBOOK WALLS! It may not be against the law, but it IS spam! And it is bad Facebook etiquette.
And you know what? It’s a really bad marketing move as well!
When you want to promote your own stuff, do it on your own Wall!! That’s where it belongs! And when you do, all your Facebook Friends and Fans will see it because it will show up in their Facebook stream. You may want to share it on your Wall several times though, because not all of your Friends and Fans are on Facebook watching their stream at the same time.
You can also send invitations or messages to your Friends about your event or promotion, certainly. That’s proper etiquette. Just like you would send an invitation in the mail. But don’t spam their Wall!
Recently, a pretty savvy performer posted the link and poster of his upcoming show on someone’s Wall as a way to say Happy Birthday! I mean, come on! That’s just tacky! (Happy Birthday to you, and by the way… it’s really all about ME!)
If you want to post something on someone’s Wall, it should be all about them. Like, “Your show last night was fantastic!” Or… “Thank you for a great class last night. I can’t wait to tell my friends!” Or… Happy Birthday, Congratulations! You’re the best! You go, girl!
Now, I realize that this Facebook/social networking world is confusing and it’s hard to know what’s right or wrong. And if you’ve already made this faux pas, don’t feel bad. Just cut it out! I actually feel that most of the people I see do this simply don’t know that it’s just bad manners. But that’s why I’m writing this today… so you will know!
Just think of it this way: Would you plaster your promotional material on someone’s front door without their permission? Would you spray paint the link to your website on someone’s brick wall? Or hack their website so you could post it there?
No, of course you wouldn’t. So, don’t put your stuff on other people’s Facebook Walls! Send them an invitation, and post whatever you want on your own Wall!
Until next Tuesday, be happy…. and put a lot of Love in your marketing!