Sunday, January 29, 2012

Maryl asks: Do you really "like" us?

"You like me.  Right now, you like me!"
Remember those immortal words from Sally Field’s 1985 Academy Award acceptance speech? As much as they’ve been bandied about since then, who would have guessed they’d become the catchphrase for the current social networking craze? Today “you like me” is more than just words though; it’s a button that you click on a Facebook fan or business page and it’s not to be confused with “friends” on one’s personal profile page. The distinction can be fuzzy because big name brand companies have fan pages to ultimately promote their products whereas sites and blogs like SecondLivesClub have them to create a community that is united around a topic or manifesto. So we use Facebook to get followers and to follow others and ultimately to get people to this web site. The more people who “like” you the more people have the opportunity to see what you’re posting on your page. 

As much as I hate to admit it, we’re caught up in the hustle of getting more “likes” on Facebook. But if someone likes me is she really going to follow me? I try to keep up with all the pages we’re following but there’s over 300 now. SecondLivesClub currently has nearly 400 “likes” but some of the pages I go to have thousands. It takes time to build those kinds of numbers although I have a hunch some of them cheat. Well it’s kind of cheating: you can go to web sites like www.coffeeandpower.com or www.fivrr.com and someone will get you 200 “likes” for $20, for example. These small job sites can fulfill a range of work assignments and needs for reasonable prices and have received favorable reviews. The issue with the 200 “likes” is that they will most likely not include your target audience and most likely not follow you.
SecondLivesClub targets Gen X and Boomer women, the fastest growing groups on social networks. A very effective way we’ve increased our “likes” and a following at the same time is with a practice started by a few of my LinkedIn women’s, business and reinvention groups. One person will start a discussion asking for members to leave their Facebook page addresses so others can check them out and “like” them if it’s to their liking, which it typically is since the group is already made up of like-minded people. I was part of a recent group discussion on the legitimacy of using one of these small jobber sites. In the long run it doesn’t pay off but it can be helpful for new business fan pages that need some early momentum.

So we’ll keep working the “like” numbers just because, but real success for us is when our followers comment after our blog posts. That’s how we find out what they think and are interested in and we love the input. Not everyone participates in this way and that’s okay too. I attended a social marketing seminar this week and learned that typically only three to six percent of a community actively comment and 30 percent occasionally. So like us on Facebook if you like but if you really like us, you can make a comment here.

26 comments:

  1. Up here in Toronto, we really like your post.

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  2. I just found out about your blog in the Dayton Magazine. Thanks Caryl. Just wanted to say I love the blog and YES I really like you!

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    1. Thanks for all your kind words. We'd like you back but we don't know who
      you are. Are you a flyer? Our class? Were you at our reunion in 2010?
      If so, we have pictures . . . .

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  3. A friend told me about your site and about the Accidental Cottager article. I "Like" the back story and the blog. I also like the idea of seeing women connect via the blogs.

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    1. How nice of your friend to recommend us and how nice of you to comment.
      I hope you read the ending of the Cottager story. Please tell us what blogs
      you follow. I love that women can connect this way too.

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  4. I don't LIKE you, I LOVE you. Tell me what to do to prove it. I'll follow you anywhere.

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  5. We love you back. You've done so much already. We loved your piece on your French friends, http://bit.ly/wQGyNw. Hope you'll include us when you write about your American friends.

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  6. Hi Maryl: I really like you. In fact, as you know, I've added you to the blog roll of my blog, The Diary of the Vixen Divorcee, www.vixendivorcee.com. I haven't found many blogs interesting enough and well enough written that speak to our demographic that I would want to recommend, so this is the biggest compliment I can pay you.

    Thank you for returning the compliment. Best of luck building your readership. You deserve it.

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    1. Georgia, We blush. You have bewitched us with your adventures and now with Valentine's Day fast approaching, we'll follow more intently. I've subscribed and entered the "Amouage" drawing. Also added you to our blogroll. Let's keep building a joint community of fascinating women. Love it.

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  7. This was such a powerful post, Mary Lou, because in fact all bloggers like us are struggling to overcome anonymity. But, the strongest people aren't always the people who win, they are the people who don't give up when they lose. In other words, its the spirit that counts. Those 130 likers could change overnight. One great mention, and you could get 500 more liker in a heartbeat. So, don't give up! I will be at your back, always. Warmly, Diane

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    1. Dearest Diane, I'm so glad we had the chance to connect face to face and now here in the blogosphere. Thank you for your encouraging words and yes persevere...we're past 151 likes just today. We've got your back too and will be able to get to you quickly now....you're listed on our blogroll.

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  8. Absolutely Love your blog and Like you!

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