I logged on to my Facebook page to find the following message:
Changes to How You Share Content on Your Page
We want you to connect with your fans in the most effective ways possible. That’s why as of September 30th you’ll no longer be able to automatically import posts from your website to your page notes. The best way to get people to interact with your content is to give them insight into the links you share on your Wall by adding personal comments and responding to feedback from fans.
We’re focused on creating even better tools for pages – look for announcements soon.
Somehow, I am not sure that making it harder for me to share my blog posts on Facebook will also make it more effective for me to connect with my “fans. ” Why is Facebook telling me what is better? The answer is simple: Facebook wants me to spend money. Advertise the page to get more fans, and more clients.
Over on Mashable, there is an article “What Facebook’s Changes Mean for Marketers.” Basically, the new Facebook changes will force marketers (businesses) to create a more interactive approach to the getting fans. It will require more work and more dedication.
For small businesses, which are working on getting paying customers and using social media to amplify their reach, putting more work into ONE platform is nonsensical. Yes, Facebook has A LOT of users, but not all those users are your customers. If a business finds that its best base is coming from Facebook, then yes, it will be worth investing the extra time.
I am not convinced that Facebook generates sales. It does helps create brand awareness and build image, which adds value. Small businesses will have to decide how much more time they want to devote to Facebook, since it looks like it will require more time, more work and more strategy.
Your thoughts?
About Deborah Brody
Deborah Brody writes and edits anything related to marketing communications. Most blog posts are written under the influence of caffeine.
I am not convinced Facebook generates sales either. I hadn’t seen that message about Notes importing posts but maybe it’s because I don’t use Notes. I suppose a different app can be used to do the same thing.
I’m concerned about non-fans being able to post on the FB wall too – I don’t know how you will really be able to measure the value of the page without having the number of fans mean something.
Thanks for your input Kim. To me it seems that small businesses have so much to learn in order to make their FB page truly work for them that it may be not worth the effort.
I read somewhere there’s an app that will continue to do this for you, if you wish… I think it might have been called RSS grafiti.