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And now for the post…
I recently wrote a post about how if you have to choose only one social media tool as a direct seller, Facebook is probably a good choice. A large majority of your target market is probably already on Facebook, and it’s a great way to reach people who may be interested in buying, hosting, or joining your direct sales business. It’s primarily a relationship-building tool, however, and not a direct marketing tool. You build relationships on Facebook so that later you have the opportunity to market more directly, once someone has opted in.
If you decide that Facebook is the tool for you, it is important that you don’t become “that girl” or “that guy” on Facebook. You know the one I mean. The one who makes every status update a pitch for her or his business. The one that everyone learns about the “hide” button in Facebook for.
So here’s my list of Annoying Facebook-ers, Direct Sales Style. Don’t be one of these!
- The Sales Commercial – This is the direct seller who constantly subjects everyone to a steady barrage of, “My company is having a SALE!” “I’m so excited about the new catalog! Check out my website now for all the latest products.” Or perhaps, “I’m placing my order at 9:00 pm tonight. Be sure to get your orders in now so you can get your products.” Seriously, just don’t do this. People really don’t appreciate it, and will get tired of you quickly.
- The Recruiting Commercial - Similar to the Sales Commercial, this is the person who subjects you to a steady stream of why you should join his/her team, the latest recruiting promotion the company is offering, constant invites to his/her opportunity meetings, etc. Folks, recruiting is a one on one activity that is accomplished after LISTENING. Your status update is not the place to broadcast your opportunity to the world. If you really want to recruit people through social media, build relationships and find people that actually need what you have to offer. Then share your opportunity privately, in a way that meets the needs of the prospect.
- The Hosting Commercial - This is the one where you just roll your eyes as they say things like, “I’m giving away $500 in free jewelry this month. Want some?” or “I have 5 slots for 5 lucky ladies to host a party with me. Contact me to book your date!” Honestly…this really doesn’t work. Maybe once in a very blue moon someone will take pity on you and book a show. But you’ll be much better off building relationships and TALKING to people. Repeat after me…”Broadcasting doesn’t work in social media!”
- The Shameless Self-Promoter - This is the person that constantly tells you how much product they’ve sold at their last party, how many people they’ve just recruited, all the awards they’ve won through their company, etc. While once in a while sharing your excitement about something is fine, doing this all the time gets old really quick.
- The Noisy Player - You’ve played Farmtown, Bejeweled Blitz, or whatever the latest and greatest Facebook game or Quiz is, and you’ve released it into the news feeds of every single person connected to you. Folks…people don’t CARE. All this does is clutter up the news feeds of folks that don’t want to see your scores. And annoying people really isn’t great for business.
- All Business Broadcaster – These are the folks that never share anything personal through Facebook. You have no idea who they are, but only know what they sell. Folks, this is called SOCIAL media for a reason. If you’re not willing to let people get to know you on a more personal level, then perhaps social media isn’t for you. (That’s not to say you have to share EVERYTHING. Just intersperse the business with some personal, to help people know, like, and trust you.)
If you’re going to use Facebook to help build your business, invest some time to learn how to do it properly. That way, the contacts you build on Facebook may actually benefit your business. Why not sign up for my newsletter? I provide lots of tips on how to use social media to build your business.
What do you think? Have you experienced any of these Facebook-ers? Do you have any to add? Would love to read your thoughts below!
Photo Credit: Roland
Thanks again for the article. I have two more to add to your list.
The person who seems to always find a way to turn my newsfeeds or comments into a business promotion for them and the person who tags me in a note about their business so their commecial ends up on my Wall. And it’s always someone I don’t have a personal relationshp with. I think that is pretty gutsy. Or am I just too much of a “protocol” follower?
Ginny,
You are so right! That feels even more intrusive, when you blast your marketing messaging in someone else’s space. Thanks for the comment!
Jennifer
Oh my gosh! I am soooo guilty of number 5!!! Horrors! Thanks for posting this, Jennifer! I am turning over a new leaf and will not crowd my friends’ and colleagues’ spaces with my “acheivements” or “trophies!” You set me straight and I appreciate it!
~Helen~
This is the first time on your blog and I truly agree with what you wrote here. I liked your article so much I have subscribed and plan to read more of your stuff. Thank you! ~Sheri
Great article Jennifer! I agree that Facebook should be the hub of business for the average person promoting their direct sales business, and as they continue to get a grasp on social media they can blend in Twitter, Youtube and WordPress for ultimate exposure. I love how these sites are all finding ways to integrate with each other to automate our ability to promote. Direct Sales via Internet Marketing just got a heck of a lot better!
Chris Record, CEO
Record Investments, Inc.
http://www.ChrisRecord.com
[...] liajen wrote an interesting post today onAnnoying <b>Facebook</b>-ers, Direct Sales Style « Direct Sales & Social <b>…</b>Here’s a quick excerpt [...]
Wow…really enjoyed your comments and agree fully with them. It’s all about building those relationships. I had an idea of sharing personal and informational tips (often related to one of my businesses) daily on Facebook so I do a little of both. I’ll have to share how that goes once I do it on a consistent basis.
Look forward to connecting more with your blog.
Take care and keep up the good work!
Kristin Fournier
Loved this post and it really embraces the way we want to move our profession forward and NOT be known as those obnoxious home business people!
Just another way to uphold a professional image and standard for what we do!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
Great post. Social Media is such an amazing tool. But it has to be used properly. Thanks for sharing.
BELIEVE Success!
Lisa Willard
I happened upon your blog by accident, and I have to say I LOVE IT!! I really enjoy facebook, both personally and professionally. I used to do many of the above things, when I was just figuring it out, but I created a Fan Page specifically for my business so people could opt in to get my business related updates. On my profile page I try to keep it personal most of the time, although, occasionally I get over-excited and share my excitement about something fabulous happening in my DS business.
I can tell I’m going to learn a lot from you, and can’t wait to read more. Dana
I’m trying so hard not to do any of this, but it’s hard to do!
As usual your information is awesome!
I read this after I committed sin # 1 and went to my FB page (cringing) to delete – but got a response for a booking! Ha! Lucky. After reading this, I won’t do it again!
Cristina
Great post. I really liked the one about sharing about yourself. I have a hard time doing that, but I see why that is important to let people know about yourslf.
Love it! One of the reasons I avoid Facebook because on most days, I’m being spammed with “you’re invited to … blah blah blah”. I get the feeling people sort of stop caring about the next big event. I do use FB for building one on one peronal relationships and email someone directly rather than boring my friends with my next business presentation, product launch, etc.
Jackie is right on about building direct sales as a professional business rather than being annoying and ambushing others with the next best opportunity or products. We don’t want others to say “uh oh, here goes that skin care lady” (smile).
Janette
I love this post very much. You focused on what “Not to do” on Facebook. There are so many posts about what “you should do”.
I will be sharing this post with my downline as well as my friends on facebook. I see way to many network marketers engaging in this activity.
Thanks again.
Great post. To be honest when I first started developing content for my blog, it would automatically post to my wall and newsfeed. I realized I needed to time the articles out so they would not all hit at once.
No matter how good the content too many posts are just too many posts.
All of this is a process and it takes a while to get the hang of it. At the end of the day it is about building relationships and that is where the rubber meets the road.
I do my best to rotate my status updates between personal updates, quotes, my own and others and once a week or so I peak interest around what I do. Also, share valuable content.
Great tips and great reminders. Thank you.
You hit the nail on the head with this one. I have come to realize that it’s called facebook for a reason. I guess this is why the productbook social media site never took off ;P.