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The Most Dangerous Threat to Your Online Marketing Efforts

by Marvin Johnston
7 replies
Perhaps like some of you, I am not a Facebook fan. My reasons are more of a gut feeling so I've had some problems trying to actually write them down.

A post by Sonia Simone on Copyblogger does a pretty good job of describing some of those reasons:

The Most Dangerous Threat to Your Online Marketing Efforts | Copyblogger

The biggest point is one used in offline marketing ... why build up a site belonging to someone else over which you have no control.

A close secondary reason are privacy concerns.

I would rather be on the trailing edge of marketing and use something proven to work safely than the bleeding edge.

Marvin
#dangerous #efforts #marketing #online #threat
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston View Post

    why build up a site belonging to someone else over which you have no control.
    What are we building up here? If used correctly then Facebook is something you use to send traffic to your other online presence(s). It's not really an online presence you build up. Sure you build up your list of fans or friends but the whole point is to get them off Facebook and into other parts of your business funnel.

    Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston View Post

    A close secondary reason are privacy concerns.
    This one is non-sense. You can share as little or as much information as you want. You also have total control over who you accept as friends. If you run a fanpage for your business, which is the smarter thing to do, then no one can even see who runs the fanpage so your privacy is never an issue.
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    • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      What are we building up here? If used correctly then Facebook is something you use to send traffic to your other online presence(s). It's not really an online presence you build up. Sure you build up your list of fans or friends but the whole point is to get them off Facebook and into other parts of your business funnel.
      I don't disagree with anything you've said. And using Facebook and other services as a *part* of the marketing mix makes some sense.

      But it is just not something I'm comfortable using.


      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      This one is non-sense. You can share as little or as much information as you want. You also have total control over who you accept as friends. If you run a fanpage for your business, which is the smarter thing to do, then no one can even see who runs the fanpage so your privacy is never an issue.
      Yup, total control ... uh huh. What you are suggesting is true only after the uproar of privacy concerns are raised from using the public as beta testers. And someone takes the time and effort to become aware of all the pitfalls.

      BTW, I am not denying that Facebook and other services are useful. But again, only as a part of the marketing mix.

      Marvin
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  • Profile picture of the author CoffeeIceCream
    I agree, FB should not be the only tool used in marketing online or off, but to deny it's power and reach at this point in time is silly. You can limit the amount of information that is shared, collected, or used via your privacy settings.
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    Desiree
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  • Profile picture of the author kellyburdes
    The only social media I've ever used for my business has been stocktwits. I've done some ads on FB, but I don't bring customers to "fanpages" or my personal page.

    I have a Facebook account, but the only people on it are my friends and family. Several of my JV partners are on my FB, but only the one's I really consider friends....I.e I would, and often have, hung out with them when it has nothing at all to do with business.

    I've got 113 friends on FB, and I've met all but 4 or 5 of them in person.

    I just broke through the seven figure wall this year, so it really hasn't slowed me down.

    Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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  • Profile picture of the author BloggingPro
    Facebook, Websites, Email, Mobile, Forums...

    What are these things? They are simply platforms you can utilize to reach the largest possible market for your products. I use all of them, with the exception of mobile, but will be breaking into that soon.

    The only thing I solely rely upon is my website, but even then, if that goes down due to hosting issues or whatever, my email list can easily be tapped on a more frequent basis to make up the income.

    Or, what if all the forums I market on all of a sudden decide I ain't playing by the rules? Well then I have Facebook to lean on until I figure something out. Even then, with the relationships I've built over the last few years in one of my niches--I just don't see that happening--but it could so I have a plan.

    If you are not utilizing EVERY platform to reach the largest audience, then YOU are leaving money on the table. Simple as that.
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    You're going to fail. If you're afraid of failure then you do not belong in the Internet Marketing Business. Period.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Actually to my concern FB is quite good,it depends on each person,the reasons may vary.marketing efforts to Facebook is another platform.
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  • Profile picture of the author ebusinesstutor
    I build all my content on my own web sites and blogs that I host myself. Then I use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. to drive traffic.

    Won't matter if one of them shuts down or changes, as I work with multiple traffic systems, so if one goes, I just plug in another one.
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    Garland Coulson, "The E-Business Tutor"
    Internet Mentorship
    Internet Marketing Speaker
    Internet Marketing Help Blog

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