Comments on: Don’t Alienate Your Existing Audience | Twitter Badgering | Facebook Fans

By: Vu Bui

Vu Bui — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:19:16 +0000

Hey Rosaura, glad I could help! Too bad it wasn't a week sooner. :P

By: Rosaura Sandoval

Rosaura Sandoval — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:22:53 +0000

Hi there! Wow! You make a lot of great points. Thanks so much for posting. I wish I would have read it before I set up my fan page _just_ this week. LOL! I am guilty of inviting my friends to be fans. Ooops. I'm officially gonna stop that though. Thank you for your honesty and awesomeness! :)

By: Vu Bui

Vu Bui — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:11:05 +0000

Hahahaha actually you really did sound like a spammer, but since you didn't leave any kind of link you'd be a terrible spammer if you were one. ;) Also, of course, I see from your email address that you're definitely not.

I'm glad you have friends that can benefit from this! And I hope they understand that you are trying to help rather than be offended. It's hard to help with things like this sometimes without hurting peoples' feelings.

By: muyiwa

muyiwa — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:03:46 +0000

I've just sent this to a couple of people (who I love dearly) who could benefit from this. Really great and on point post. (I sound like one of those spammers!)

By: Vu Bui

Vu Bui — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:03:01 +0000

Yeah it's so easy to get caught up in the race for followers… but while it's definitely important to cultivate a following and support system of people around you, we need to remind ourselves what we're really doing, and HOW we're doing it.

Thanks for the comment… a lot of people tend to shy away from speaking publicly on issues that may be perceived as insulting to others. I get lots of responses directly on email though. :)

By: Jinger Studios

Jinger Studios — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:49:04 +0000

Thanks for reminding us to keep the whole social networking thing real. It's so easy to get carried away with acquiring followers and fans, because that's what everyone is always telling us to do as it's 'good for business' – nice to hear a cool head's perspective!

By: Vu Bui

Vu Bui — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:37:25 +0000

I agree! Hahaha yes I know you're my friend… but I'd like you to be my fan!

Perhaps the word fan has changed meanings in some peoples' minds? :)

By: carol cobb

carol cobb — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:37:34 +0000

Yea! Someone who finally said what I am always thinking when I get these invites! It feels wierd to have someone request I become their “fan” when I am already their friend. I think because the word fan means something different to me than friend. I also never felt comfortable asking people to become my “fan” That just seems too narcissistic for me. They either are or aren't an admirer of my work. They can decide for themsleves.

By: Tira J

Tira J — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:56:23 +0000

Great stuff Vu! Thanks.

By: Vu Bui

Vu Bui — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:23:59 +0000

Hi Lorrie… while that totally makes sense under the right circumstances… it doesn't make sense that I constantly get requests to BECOME their fan if I'm already their “friend”. If I ignored that first request… I probably don't want to become your fan. If you started this “relationship” by requesting my friendship on FB, you can't then say you want me to also be your client and follow you as a fan.

I see what you're saying… and if you don't send me invites ever week or two to get me to become your fan… then I'm your friend and don't have to see your business stuff… which for most of these people (photographers) I am not interested in their services anyway.

Thanks for the discussion starter though! :)

By: Lorrie Prothero

Lorrie Prothero — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:08:05 +0000

The only thing – I don't advertise to my friends – I only advertise to my fans – so if you're not a fan – you won't get bothered with my business page.