This morning I took part in a survey that asked if I thought social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter were good for companies to use to market their products and services. Personally, I’m a ‘fan’ of many of my favorite products through both Facebook and Twitter, which makes it easy to streamline ‘news’ and product information.
I don’t have the time to visit all of my favorite product websites to see if they are introducing new products, or if they have a promotion going on. I love that I can find the latest information right in my ‘feed’ and click if there’s something that catches my eye that I’d like more information about.
I actually felt that most people would feel this way. I’m a fan of several sites who offer a daily recipe or idea and I love getting them. Sometimes I read them and sometimes I don’t- it really depends on what’s going on that particular day or if the recipe interests me. It’s the same with some of the tech company websites I’m a fan of. They delivery daily tips and sometimes those tips are helpful and educational.
It surprised me to find that I seemed to be more the exception than the rule and that many people either a- hated social media all together or b- found that being a ‘fan’ of a particular brand meant they were giving the company free exposure and advertising.
I was also surprised to find that some said they didn’t want everyone who was on their Facebook page to know what type of products that they liked- that they found it to be intrusive and an invasion of their privacy. I found this to be VERY odd- and wondered if that were the case, why they were even on Facebook in the first place- but to each his own.
I would love to know what you think.
Are you a fan of companies using social media to contact their customers and potential clients? Why or why not?