Small businesses have gone stark-raving mad over Facebook
I recently returned from vacation and was bombarded by Facebook pushes from every corner of each retail establishment that I visited. Bars, restaurants, clothing stores and electronics retailers — none were immune from the marketing push.
Everyone is holding out his or her hand – follow me, friend me, watch me, like me, look at me….
Does it feel like a beauty pageant in overdrive? Businesses are trying incredibly hard to win our attention, but many aren’t stressing the urgency.
The question I have to ask is:
Why?
Why should I spend the time?
I have a limited amount of attention before the supposed ‘important things’ become noise.
Why should I dedicate a chunk of my day to ‘follow’ your business?
The answer:
Give your ‘audience’ an incentive to being a Fan.
- 20% off your next purchase; Buy 1, Get 1 Free.
- Sweeten the deal and you have my attention.
Placing a sign at your register that says: “Join us” on Facebook isn’t going to do the trick anymore.
Like the billboard on a busy highway that passes before my eyes without even a ‘first’ glance, or the banner ad that becomes invisible ‘white space’, I’ve become immune to these pitches.
How about:
- 5,000 people can’t be wrong. Join us as we deliver daily money-saving coupons to our friends on Facebook.
- Join us on Facebook and your first ‘message’ from us will save you $10 on your next purchase. Cool.
Now, you’ve my attention.
Until next time,
Dan
Photo courtesy of Andrew Feinberg
