My grandmothers were fighting on Facebook. Yes, I’m serious. A political debate exploded and things got hairy. One Grandmother accused the other of being an “elitist” to which the other responded with the term “tree-hugger” - insults and accusations were flying freely. I never imagined a day where my grandparents would use Facebook so heavily, let alone open up a battle royale as more people joined the thread and started taking sides. While my friends and colleagues found the bickering highly entertaining, it was embarrassing. When everything was said and done, some people got “blocked” and others lost “friends.”
Why do you care? Facebook is a fantastic tool for deepening client and prospect relationships, but the last thing you want is to annoy someone, detract from the relationship, or get the dreaded friend-axe. From our latest research on 870 affluent consumers[1], the following are the four top ways to lose friends on Facebook:
1. Sell constantly: We miss the days when our newsfeed wasn’t filled with Beach Body, Origami Owl and Essential Oil posts. No disrespect to the people who sell those types of products, but some people have turned their personal Facebook profiles into a stream of promotional propaganda. Be careful with what you post and respect the culture of the network. People login to Facebook to stay up-to-date with friends and family, not to get Hip Hop Abs. As an advisor, if your post has even the subtlest sales connotation – re-think it. Being salesy on a personal Facebook profile is the number one way to lose friends.
2. Post Controversial Content: When it comes to losing friends, we can learn a lesson from the Grandmother’s squabble. Posting provocative political or spiritual content is a guaranteed way to fire people up and lose some friends. People can be strongly opinionated around these topics and these types of posts are usually begging for a bout.
3. Lose Contact with People: Most of us have some Facebook friends that we no longer keep up with. At times, it’s nice to go in and “clean up” your Facebook friends. More importantly, build a list on Facebook of your best clients, prospects and referral alliances and make a concerted effort to like, comment and share their posts regularly.
4. Post too Much: There is no need to dominate your friend’s newsfeeds. But what constitutes “too much” posting? It’s really a matter of perception. Here’s a tip, if anyone ever mentions in real-life “you’re all over Facebook,” you probably post too much. Also, don’t forget the importance of variety. If you post the same types of topics constantly, this can become annoying as well. #selfiemaster
Don’t get friend-axed. Use Facebook to build, not hurt your personal brand and to build key relationships. If you enjoyed this article, check out The Stephen and Kevin Show on iTunes and Youtube.
[1] Affluent = Income of $100K or assets of $250k+