Yesterday I fired hundreds of “friends” lurking on my Facebook profile.
Some were people I’d met over the years at various events. Others added me as a friend years ago but haven’t said a single word to me ever ever since…
DELETED. ALL GONE!
(I also deleted people who are flaky, who don’t follow through, and who whine too much.)
Now I have a very small number of Facebook friends left! Eek, what I will I do?
…Social media has gotten out of hand. It breeds pseudo-connections and meaningless acquaintances. (But marketing experts insist, “You’ve gotta have social media profiles for your business!” B.S.!)
Recently, someone messaged me through LinkedIn and said “Congratulations!” I said, “For what???” They said, “For your work anniversary?” Huh?! I didn’t know I had a work anniversary! Nor did I have any clue who the person was.
“Who are you?” I asked.
They were shocked by the question.
“We’re connections on LinkedIn. LinkedIn told me you had a work anniversary, so I said congratulations,” they replied.
I found it very strange that a total stranger would congratulate me on a work anniversary that I had no idea even existed.
Social media is a breeding ground for silly, meaningless conversations…if you’re not paying attention.
Plus, “friends” is the wrong word. Facebook should change their button from “Add Friend” to “Add Lurker.” If you friend me, and then fail to pick up the phone or send an email for 5+ years… you aren’t a “friend.” You’re a voyeur. You are meaningless to me. 🙂
It’s not quantity that matters, it’s QUALITY.
That includes the quality of conversations.
Don’t follow me. I don’t need followers. (Have you ever seen “The Following” starring Kevin Bacon? Or the movie “Mother”? Creeeeepy.) Nobody needs followers. People need a few solid friends with great character, not thousands of contacts who add nothing to your life.
Social media is a mixed bag. You can certainly use it to connect with people who might not be reachable otherwise. (I’ve used it to land interviews, clients, projects, and valuable resources – but only because I was using the “Direct Message” feature in lieu of simply sending them an email.)
“Followers” and “fake friends” are meaningless…unless, of course, you’re turning them into paying customers! Huge difference!
Happy Thanksgiving and hope your day is spent full of quality experiences with people who matter!
Michelle Lopez Boggs is a copywriter, copywriting mentor, and author of "The Anti-Marketing Manifesto: How to Sell Without Being a Sellout." She's helped her clients sell millions of dollars' worth of products and services online by using the MEI(S) principle — motivate, educate, and inspire, and sell. 