Fri 8/22
It’s this simple: I’m fed up. Yes, I’m seen by many to be, as one of my friends put it, “The Social Media King,” but let me tell you: the king is displeased. While I’m not alone in this 21st century revolt, I think I might be the only one who is taking steps away from this social media giant for ethical reasons. Some may be “too addicted to function,” where as I’m, “too disgusted to function.”
Don’t get me wrong. I love social media; I work for an online communications company for God’s sake. I just think that the things that used to make Facebook so special have practically reversed themselves. What used to be a simple platform for openness, sharing, self expression, and connectivity Facebook seems to have become a website based simply on dollar signs.
I mean just look at the content they’re shoving down your throat. Not only are there hyper targeted ads running up and down the side of your news feed that throw content at you based on what had for breakfast, but there are also “Suggested Posts” scattered throughout the site that make you squint to discern whether the message is coming from one of your friends, or a billion dollar stranger.
It’s no good on the other side either. As a marketer, it’s almost impossible to put a plan together for your company without dumping money into Facebook. I mean why not? Facebook has all your key demos and can provide you tons of analytical data based on your investment, but what does that analytical data mean? THEY CAN JUST MAKE UP NUMBERS!
How many times have I heard someone say the phrases “Click Ratio,” “Click-to-click,” or “Click Through Rate?” WHAT DO THEY EVEN MEAN? Yes, you can pump $20 dollars into Facebook and get 13 “likes” or followers, but who’s “clicking”, and why? Or how about their new thing “Post Boosting?” While you may have 6,000 followers on Facebook, when you post something, only about 1,000 of them are actually seeing it, thanks to Facebook’s handy filtration system.
You can have more people view your posts if you throw them tons of cash. I mean if someone is following me, it’s because they want to see my content, they want to see what I have to say. Thank you Facebook for blocking my communications with my friends and then charging me to get back into touch with them.
Dear people who say “I like Facebook because it keeps me in touch,” you’re living in a dream world. Facebook is filtering every message you post, analyzing you, and trying to find the best way to get into your pocket. They don’t give a rats ass about your family back in Wisconsin you’re trying to show pictures to, they’re not going to see them anyway. Don’t you find it strange that out of the 1,000 friends you have you only see content from about 20? You can’t even message on your phone any longer!
Online marketing and communication should not be about “clicks,” (half of the “clicks” you’re paying for in your boost posts are fake porn profiles anyway,) online marketing should be about connecting with real people. Online marketing should be about you connecting with your community and your followers. Get out from behind your computer and go grab coffee with that long lost high school friend, instead of “stalking” them.
Don’t be fooled by that blog post from some random california publication you’ve never heard of about which Disney princess you are. Social media is important to me because it helps spread the news, but Facebook is just doing the opposite. They’re biting at your ankles, they’re manipulating you ,and before you know it you’ll be that broke lonely person behind a computer talking to yourself.
Screw being addicted. Facebook doesn’t own me. I can have a successful online image/career in the 21st century without this corporate pimp. I will be deleting my Facebook as of Sun 8/24/14 and I’m not coming back. Follow me on my blog, on CoolCleveland, or by the billion other social media networks I’m connected to. I’ll be here. Here’s one to proper and ethical online communication.
After finishing his blog internship at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Marty Bielat became the Director of Engagement for CoolCleveland and kissed print media good-bye.