Thanks to Facebook, I am finding a lot of people who I have crossed paths in my life years ago. Some school buddies, some from college, some old friends from UK, Europe and India.
What is weird is that some people who I have chosen NOT to include in my life, consciously or unconsciously, are showing up on my Facebook wall. It has probably happened to you, as well.
Is it a bad thing?
Well, it depends on how you want to see it.
If you try to re-ignite your link, and feel the same ‘disconnect’ as before — it’s a good idea to leave it be.
There is a reason why you were not able to connect with them in flesh — what makes it special on Facebook?
To me Facebook and most other social media platforms are a big distraction, and it takes me further and further away from my goals.
I still use it to give a face for my business, but it has proven countless times to be counterproductive for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still use these media to my advantage. Every thing you do to inform, educate, and learn, can be automated and updated on these platforms. So, that is something that does not require me to visit my facebook page and get distracted.
I am not saying that social media is unacceptable for business or anything like that.
People who are inherently social butterflies ‘offline’ will most likely succeed with ‘online’ social media platforms.
Me? I have come to terms with the fact that I am fundamentally an introvert. Don’t beat yourself if you feel the same way yourself. Some of the most successful people in business are Introverts.
Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Charles Schwab, Steven Spielberg, Shara Lee, CEO Brenda Barnes, and many many successful people, are said to be Introverts themselves.
If you think that you are also an introvert, don’t worry, you are in very reputable company.
Anyway, the key question is….
Is using Social Media good for you and your business, and why?
I think for most entrepreneurs the answer is NO.
Why do they think it’s not so good for them? I’ll tell you why it is not suitable for me.
You have probably heard that ‘Action’ or ‘To Act’ on something is the only way to get outstanding results.
It’s true, but for a lot of people, ‘focused action’ is what gets the most results faster.
In your daily marketing, you can act on every whim or tips that is out there, but the ‘focus part’ is key.
Social Media is probably not an place where one can practice ‘focus’. You are distracted constantly with other people’s stories.
Focused Action when it comes to growing your income and your business must be, acquiring new leads, converting more of them to your customers, and keeping them happy. At least that’s the most direct way to success in business.
It’s a nifty idea to use resources that will get your message straight to people who are most likely interested in buying.
Think about who your ideal client is, focus on making his/her life easier for them. After all, that is why we are in business. To take care of problems that people are facing in our niche.
In life and business if you are given the option to choose the ‘dirt road’ or the ‘highway’ — which road would you choose?
The highway, of course.
Rent-A-List provides you a smoother and faster way to get to your prospects — directly.
During the September customer appreciation sale, you can even benefit by reaching double the number of prospects, with the ‘Buy One Get One Free Sale’.
Focus on the most direct way to reach your clients, and act — you’ll see the difference in your Income and the growth of your business.
Wishing you all the success!
P.S. I would love to hear your opinion on spending time on Social Media sites like Facebook. Is it worth it? Let me know.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Facebook has opened up so many communication channels with relatives and friends I haven’t seen in a long time. So far I haven’t experienced anything negative because I have restricted my wall access only to my friends on facebook. All I have to say is I applaud the creators of facebook & wish them all the best.
Hi Kate, yes I agree. Facebook has opened up a whole new way of communicating and that’s amazing. There are features within the platform to restrict and control distraction. But most people don’t make use of it.
Thanks for your comment.
Abe
You’ve got a strong point Abe. I’m not an introvert but the social networks have become outlandishly insane. People that use them for marketing/business, tend to find themselves being promoted to more than the other way around. I believe social networks can be a good resource if you DON’T promote. If you can find one or two that you truly enjoy, use it to share solid content and I don’t mean a bunch of advert links, you might just pick up a good following. Eventually, people will be begging for your links. They’ll want to know what websites you have and what you are involved in…and they’ll truly want to know.
Most people however, just run and join social networks and start shooting out their promotions to everyone they can add as a ‘friend’. This is pretty much a big waste of time for all.
Hi Valerie, Good point. Simply being genuinely social without any expectations. It’s great for that purpose.
I have seen some people use it very effectively and one of them is Mari Smith. Fast company did a project called ‘The Influence Project’ — where majority of the top 100 people used social media to their advantage. You can see all 100 of them here: http://influenceproject.fastcompany.com/v/bsrp#/wall (me included on the top 100 people, I did not use social media at all, and I think their influence project was not the ideal determinant for real Influence — If it was, I wouldn’t be on it. — that’s another blog post)..
For a lot of business people though, they can find better use of their time, is all I wanted to say.
Thanks Valerie
Abe
it Display All Face Of World And Also ADS.
Hi Abe
I like your comment about Facebook. I felt the same, a couple of months ago. I found many of my old friends with which I lost contact many years back. For that purpose I feel that this platform is an excellent support. But I also agree with the second part of your comment.
Facebook is a big distraction. Many people do not use it as a fair communication tool but as an advertising tool. Moreover they use it to display themselves and tell others what they have done and reached. It seems to me to become a real platform of competitors that is loosing its objectives, and with this drives all individuals away from their major targets.
I am not introverted at all, but I have learned and I know how to behave in public. Facebook is public and some of the Facebook users don’t realize this fact and do not behave as they should….. This is the negative issue of a media like Facebook. And this is what leads me more and more just to use it as a tool out of which I can dig the information I need to reach my goals. I have, just a few days ago, written to several of these users to let them know my personal opinion about their attitude. As you said, “Action” or “To Act” does not necessarily lead you to the same result. There is alway a difference between saying and doing.
And here to conclude, again I am right with my pretension. “It is the empty barrels that make the biggest noice”.
Have a good time Abe and “I like this type of messages”. I would like to learn how to set up something like this too. I have a long way to go learning the ropes of internet.
See you…….
Michekl
Hi Michel, Well said Michel. I also want to recommend reading Seth Godin’s blog…Just google him. He is amazing when it comes to out of box ideas. A master of new media — in my opinion.
Thanks for reading my posts,
Abe
Yes I get your point with distractions and people you may not want to talk to but these sites are like cars and mobile phones, no one wants to use them but they are a necessary evil to help you in your business. I know a lot of people have gotten into trouble with the wrong person seeing there posts and perhaps it’s time for theses sites to change and may be the new kid on the block (Your Nights) has the answer. You post to whom you want to post so your boss will not see what you post for friends, your workmates will not see what you post on your dating page and your family will not see your … well I think you get the picture.
So perhaps it’s not the distractions that are the problem but it is the wrong site you are using.
Hi,Abe:
I have a Facebook account,but I don’t advertise there. I am trying to establish an Internet
Marketing biz and to me advertising on Facebook or Twitter is a waste of my time. Let’s
face it these two sites,in particular, were set up just to find out what your friends were
doing,where the best parties were, or just to “chat”. These people are not interested in
your affiliate links,what service or program you promote or any kind of business related
post.
Now I know there are a lot of people who throw their links all over Facebook, and some
probably have made some money or added names to their marketing lists. I’ll bet that
the vast majority have not,but keep plugging them in any way because of the “slew”
of new ebooks,reports,videos,and programs touting how you can make money with Facebook. I get at least 5 or 6 of these emails every day,which leads me to believe
that there’s an over saturation of this info flying around the Internet. Why?, because I see 5 or or more different email addresses, all with the same ad!
Yes, Abe, I agree that most social sites are distracting and causes your focus to wander,
unless you’re there for the purpose the site was intended for.
Just my opinion:))
more different email addresses
Hi Abe,
Facebook has opened family ties for me in such a large way and with me living in Spain and my 3 children living in the UK it is our best way of communication and chatting
of course we have mobiles but credit only goes so far, I have yet to meet old friends from my past and i have many being ex British Forces. I do think they should of done 2 facebooks one for children and one for the adults so we can advertise our products in comfort without worrying what age the child is looking at your offers, all depending on your sales, i’m in that categorie because i have a lingerie site, they could of had facechild and facebook or faceadult.