Before jumping on the bandwagon by creating a Facebook page or group for your organization or brand, consider some of the strengths and weaknesses. In word of mouth and viral marketing these key details can make a difference in how an organization or product is perceived by onlookers, potential fans and group members.
THE PROS & CONS
Facebook Page
- More inviting to add posts/feels more interactive
- More corporate, less personalized
- Good SEO
- Need constant update on feed as stream is clearly visible
- Fan pages are visible to unregistered people
- Pages allow for rich applications such as video, photos, RSS feeds
- Members can subscribe to SMS
- Can house more diverse information through page feed
- Option for posting social ads
- Viewed as “new” and current
- Page icons get added to individual profiles once they become a member (more noticeable and visually appealing than being part of a Facebook Group)
- Unlimited amount of fans to send messages but message goes to “Update” which is a feed separate from the Facebook message inbox (may be less noticeable)
- Page has visitor statistics
Example of great Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=dna&init=quick#/dnaart?ref=ts
Facebook Group
- More personal, participating in a “group”
- Groups allow bulk invite (members can invite friends and they can invite their friends)
- Perhaps more trusted because users are comfortable/familiar with applications
- Ability to host an open, closed or secret group
- Minimal customization
- Description/contact/profile on top left corner, making the group easy to identify
- Not as visual as the Facebook Page
- Too much written text creates, “seawall of gray”
- You can see admins clearly – more transparent. Easy to contact them for information
- Message up to 5,000 group members and message will go straight into Facebook inbox
Example of active Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=49839014647
Leave a Reply