I logged into my business page last week and was surprised with a promotion for a service by someone else that I hadn’t put on my wall. What disgruntled me was that I also provide that same service (WordPress Training) and I thought that person had a cheek promoting on my wall to all my likers about their services. I reported it as spam and removed the post. I had tried to leave a comment on their wall however because they were an individual posting and not from a business page, and I hadn’t ‘friended’ them I couldn’t leave a comment on their wall.
This was only a day or two after a colleague of mine had complained that someone had been spamming on their wall doing promotions for their business and thought it totally inappropriate. I hadn’t seen who had done that but wondered if it was the same person now posting on my wall.
I really thought it was inappropriate to do. So, what do I think they should have done?
Obviously this person is keen to promote their services however went the wrong way about it. What they should have done (in my opinion) was promote via their own business page, then asked their likers to share the promotion on their walls. That would then mean they were getting endorsement from their likers and they wouldn’t be seen as blatantly posting from one wall to another. It’s all in the way it’s done.
So, if you want to promote something at Facebook to those who are connected to you – best you do it via your business page and then ask your likers to share with their connections. We all know that things can go viral – it’s just important to start the process off in the right way.
By the way, that person has now apologised and said they hadn’t intended to be seen as spamming and will rethink how they do things.
Debra Barber says
Hi Kathie,
This is a timely post. As more and more people start to use social media to market their business I think those of us who have been doing it for the last few years (or many years such as yourself) should remember that many ‘newbies’ may not be aware of the etiquette surrounding social media. Also, many ‘experts’ teach techniques such as the one you mentioned in your post so really some are only doing what they have been told is ‘best practice’. I agree it is annoying. I do like it when Facebook automatically hides this kind of post, much like a spam folder, so you can then come in and choose to share it or delete it.
Thanks again for another great post!
Kathie M Thomas says
Thanks for your comment Debra. It does bother me that people don’t use common sense and plain old fashioned manners these days. Because that’s all it takes to recognise when something might not be right. But I think a lot of people don’t do their own thinking and let others do it for them – even if it means they’re being steered in the wrong direction and encouraged (taught) to do something that is plainly wrong.
As far as hiding a post – that’s fine but if someone has actually written on your wall, not their own, then that’s a different matter. It shows up on the walls of everyone who likes your page.
Debra Barber says
You are right Kathie, many seem to have thrown common sense, manners and independent thinking out the window! 🙂 Out of this experience though, you have educated one person directly and I’m sure many more through sharing your experience on your blog. That’s a win in my book!
I’ve had people post on my wall and it has come up in my hidden posts tab and wants me to approve before going public. Maybe it is something new Facebook is rolling out and not in effect on all pages. Not sure…
Thanks again for the post.