One way to get attention

Tell the world you are leaving Facebook!

This started Monday morning when I opened up my Google Plus and saw that Eric had tagged me on a post and wanted my opinion…

Turns out this company announced they were deleting their page on Facebook because they ran some ads and thought that some bots (automated programs) were clicking on their ads causing them to spend extra $.  They also wanted to change the name of their page and couldn’t.  They suggest that Facebook told them they could spend $2,000 a month on advertising and they would then change it for them.  They contend that the bots weren’t their deciding factor, it was the $2,k that sent them over the edge.

For the Record:

They didn’t have proof that the bots in question were from Facebook or a competitor, and didn’t supply actual proof of bots.  Their story is that they “found bots”.

This morning, when I checked they also had 600 or so Fans (likes).  Anything over 100 and you are stuck with the name you chose unless you have legal proof and fill out a form. No $2,000 in advertising needed.

Case in Point: My page is titled “Mike Mueller: Marketing, Web Design, & Social Media Consultation” and I keyword stuffed the crap out of it.  Then I realized how sucky it sounded but couldn’t change it.  I filled out the form on Facebook to request a name change but because I have no legal proof (as in change of DBA status) I’m hosed.

Right from the start I had my questions and doubts

They may be legit – I still don’t know.   This afternoon they got national attention from multiple sources.

Their Page shot from 600 to over 1,000 LIKES and is on fire (so to speak).
Will they keep their Facebook Page now? 
Will they move to Google Plus? 
Will Betty tell Chad that Susie’s Baby really isn’t hers? 

Ok, enough of the over dramatic soap opera crap! 

Lost in all of this is the simple fact that Facebook, Google Plus, or any other network we try to manipulate in order generate business, isn’t ours.  We’re playing in someone else’s sandbox.  They make up the rules and we can either abide by them and keep playing – or get up and leave.

Remember that whiny kid back in kindergarten who stomped his feet, crying and announced he he would leave if he didn’t get to play with the tractor?  He never did actually leave but he did get a lot of attention (for a while).

That’s how I feel – how about you?

UPDATE I:  Facebook responds by saying it’s almost impossible to create a bot to click ads as you would have to also create fake accounts and be logged in to the network to even see an ad.  The Page name they wanted?  It’s already taken by a running magazine.  The company that legally owns the name (as in trademark) can get that page name in a matter of hours.

UPDATE II: The cry baby, whining, temper tantrum throwing page is almost up to 2,000 LIKES.   But they’ll soon find out they are irrelevant likes brought on by the PR and will add squat to their bottom line.

UPDATE III: I’ve decided to delete my Page as well.  I’ve wanted to change it’s name to Facebook.com/TonyaHardingRocks and have been denied again by the Facebook Oppression Team.  I also discovered there are BOTS on the internet reading my posts!

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Mike Mueller

Mike builds the custom Apps that create the Tabs that make Custom Facebook Pages special. He also builds WordPress Blogs. He's an avid hockey fan, rides a mountain bike and a motorcycle (a really fast one), loves strong beer and good red wine.
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  • http://210consulting.com/ Jeremy Blanton

    The end of your post is the point people need to pay attention. I say to clients all the time, using Facebook is like renting a house. You can get evicted and have to follow the landlords rules all the time.

    • http://areweconnected.com/ Mike Mueller

      Sshhh… Don’t give it all away!

    • http://www.Kens411.com Ken Brand

      Thanks for the reminder. Use it wisely, not dependently.

  • Eric Proulx

    Some great points Mike. It would be disappointing to find out this was just a hoax and I guess I never considered that possibility.

    • http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

      Maybe it’s just the cynical skeptic in me, not that I really know anything – and then again it could be totally legit. We may never know. I say Zuck should send them to a corner and give them a time out either way. ;)

  • http://www.phacient.com Patrick Healy

    we will see if it’s crap if they do indeed delete their page….

    • http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

      and what if they delete their page and start a new one with their new name?
      Before this national attention about their hissy fit, they had something like 400 likes. That’s not hard to rebuild back in a new page.

      I say it started as a temper tantrum but blossomed beyond their wildest dreams into a PR bonanza – now they are reeling with excitement trying to figure out how to capitalize on it.

      Next we’ll see copycat posts from ding dongs trying to get the same attention.
      :)

      • http://www.phacient.com Patrick Healy

        Well, they have to follow through now. And when it comes out if there were indeed bots or not and who they belonged to the details will decide it all. If Facebook created or allowed bots to be on their site clicking content to raise their profits they will be sued to the hilt. If this was a PR stunt you are looking at a lawsuit on the other end. Either way someone should be in a lot of trouble….

        • http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

          Nah, if it’s all a cry baby ruse, (by purpose or by accident) these dweebs will get themselves hired by some slick internet company that just got a billion $ in seed money who wants them to recreate their ‘accidental’ national buzz.

          What’s next? Go after YouTube because you suspect some of the comments are from people who’s names are not real (lonelygirl15)?

          I’m going to start deleting my YouTube videos in the next month or two!
          #not

          • http://www.phacient.com Patrick Healy

            Yeah, but you don’t get charged by the comment on YouTube….

  • http://www.Kens411.com Ken Brand

    Nice share. Thanks.