As a social media manager, I’m constantly trying to help people efficiently work with the various social media and networking tools. But keeping up with the changes on Facebook has become a full-time job.
I should love Facebook for this I suppose, because it puts my services in high demand. It’s my job to know what the changes are and how to work with them. I should not only be able to demonstrate the new features, but also help people make adjustments in their processes when features they’re used to using have disappeared (see examples, below).
I hate Facebook for this too, though, because I like to demonstrate how to use social media tools on video. But with the pace of change on Facebook, the videos become obsolete almost before I finish recording them. I now post a disclaimer in the video descriptions reminding people that Facebook is constantly undergoing changes. (You can leave requests for current, customized video demos on the 3D Communications Facebook Page.)
I’m not criticizing. After all, we’re all still figuring out the best ways to use social media tools, and Facebook has every right to make changes in their quest for perfection. Facebook isn’t the only popular social networking platform that makes changes. Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube have all rolled out their share of changes. After a bit of time, I adjust to the changes and even truly appreciate most of them. Today, though, I’m just venting my frustration with Facebook.
Stuff that has disappeared from Facebook
The “Link” link on the status update on the personal Facebook profile is gone (still available on business Facebook Pages, though). I noticed this when someone asked me how to choose the thumbnail that appears when you post a link on your status update. Here’s a graphic of what I discovered.
I used to be able to work on my business Facebook page and choose “Use Facebook as Debi” and then post a comment as me rather than as my business. However, today I discovered that I can no longer do that. I can still click “Use Facebook as Debi,” but when I click in the comment box, my business logo shows up. Maybe it’s a glitch; maybe not. Who knows? Further, I can’t post a personal comment on any of the pages on which I’ve been assigned as an administrator. I don’t “like!”
I used to be able to post a status update from my personal Facebook and tag a business page (i.e., use the @ symbol in front of the Page name causing it to become a hyperlink to that Page). The update would then appear on that Page’s Wall and/or Newsfeed. But, that doesn’t seem to be happening anymore. So much for letting a Page you want to support know you’re sending them a little social love!
I will do my best to help people deal with the changes. Can you help me with any of the three things that are challenging me today?
According to a blog I read in mid December about 2010’s top brands on Facebook, the businesses listed below are the ones we should be looking at to see how to use social media as a business tool. Each of the following links takes you to their respective Facebook page – check ‘em out.
I am the first to admit that my lifestyle has changed drastically over the past year due to social media. Some who know me call it an addiction. Those, however, who have made their own discoveries about social media are more likely to agree that it can serve as an enhancement to the daily routine.
While enjoying dinner at an outdoor café on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall yesterday, my friend told me she’d heard that many people check their Facebook accounts even before they go to the bathroom in the morning. We both had a good laugh, and then were inspired to do a spontaneous survey of passersby to see how many were on Facebook. The survey was not exhaustive, but our poll results were 2:1 – more Facebook users than not.
This morning I came across the article that was the basis of the “Facebook before bathroom” report. One of the headers in this article suggests that Facebook may be an addiction.
I’d like to point out that checking their social network first thing in the morning did not prevent these people from doing other important things (such as going to the bathroom). It simply came first in the order.
I also want to point out that going to the bathroom first thing in the morning has never been labeled an addiction. Why then is checking Facebook? Further, doesn’t the fact that one can check Facebook even before answering nature’s call speak to the ease and efficiency of handling this task?
Of course I’m going to defend social networking as a lifestyle enhancement, and do everything I can to dispel the silly talk about the addictive properties of social media. I base my opinion on solid experience.
Yesterday was a perfectly lovely day spent with a friend I would’ve never gotten to know if it hadn’t been for the social network, LinkedIn. We wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet at the Pearl Street Mall yesterday if I hadn’t been there for the blogging community’s WordCamp Boulder conference earlier in the day. Nor would I have spent the whole evening with my friend hitting as many fun places as we could, loading up my FourSquare log and winning badges.
My lifestyle has been enhanced by social networking. Yes, I suppose it can be an addiction if it’s misused and abused (like anything else). But a little social media management can go a long way to ensure that it enhances your lifestyle – both personally and professionally.
Last summer I blogged about social media management tactics – even before I had heard the term “social media management.” This acquired skill is even more defined now. I’d love to hear how social media enhances your life; or, how it may have become something less desirable as an addiction.
Last week I went home for my mom’s 75th birthday. While I was there, I showed her how to use the Facebook account my sister set up for her several months ago. She was thrilled to see that most of her children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews are using Facebook almost every day. She commented that it was like having her whole family right there in her living room, in spite of the fact that we’re spread all over the U.S. She was positively delighted.
I showed my mom how to connect with her family and friends, how to comment on people’s posts, and how to locate and write on walls. She even updated her own status. Even though she seemed very pleased with the ease of use, I haven’t seen any activity from her since I left. It occurs to me now how overwhelming this technology must be for some people – particularly those who weren’t introduced to it until well into their years.
As part of the series of how-to videos I create for business users of social media, I am going to include some lessons that are written specifically for my mom. They will cover some of the basic skills. While I’m creating these videos with my mom in mind, they are meant for anyone who grew up using a manual typewriter and still remembers the days when we wrote letters and mailed them in an envelope with a 26-cent stamp.
There will be a day when using social media will be no more mysterious than talking on the telephone. But we’re not there yet.
As a social media manager, I’m constantly trying to help people efficiently work with the various social media and networking tools. But keeping up with the changes on Facebook has become a full-time job.
According to a blog I read in mid December about 
