General - Wednesday, February 4, 2009 5:50 - 1 Comment

Facebook Anonymous

Hello, my name is Dan, and I’m addicted to Facebook! Ok, I’m joking a little but with over 140 million users worldwide can we be far from “FA” meetings popping up somewhere? After just a few months as part of the Facebook crowd, I find myself checking my Facebook Newsfeed more often than my email.

For those of you who are still not users…Facebook is the largest and fastest growing social media website. People are using it to keep in touch with family, friends and reconnect with old friends. Since its launch in February 2004, Facebook has grown to more than 50 million in the U.S. and 140 million globally without traditional advertising.

The precepts of Facebook marketing are simple. First, it offers users a very efficient way of staying in touch with their friends online. Second, it’s easy to set up and use. Third, it’s free!

So as viral marketing goes, Facebook is a huge success. The burning question is will it make money? Not just Wall Street funny money, but money from operating the site. The jury is still out, because just like the Internet bubble of the 90’s this, too, could burst.

Social media sites are all the rage right now and there is little doubt they do a great job connecting people. But last I checked the definition of marketing, it still included the act of selling something to someone. Social viral media is full of success stories but with the exception of a few, most fall short of actual cash transactions. I will try to share some of the good ones soon.

Meanwhile give Facebook a try…hell it’s free! One word of warning, it can be very addictive. What started as causal interest has become a daily habit, so like anything else…moderation!