Richard Gabel

Coworking, Office Space and Meeting Rooms / Strategic and Business Planning Consultant
Issaquah, Washington

Articles » Marketing & Sales »

Very helpful

7.4

out of 10

27 votes

Facebook and Twitter are Stupid

Neophyte entrepreneurs have been conned into thinking that social media is going to lead them down the path to fame and fortune. The only people profiting from this are the people selling social media content services.

Written Oct 28, 2011, read 3804 times since then.

It has been at least forty-eight hours since I've irritated someone, rubbed someone the wrong way, been politically incorrect or have been inexcusably rude. I'm sure it has something to do with my wife being out of town. Nevertheless, I feel the need to create conflict. I was after all, born and raised in New York, none of this west coast mamsy-pansy get along with the world crap for me. The best way to do so is to strike a red hot iron into the core ethos of someone that is pathetically misguided and will do anything to protect their view of the world and reason for living.

I would write this article about the Occupy Wall Street, Seattle, Oakland etc. crowd, but that's like shooting fish in a barrel. I'm also sick of hearing about them. No, there is a far more meaningful subject that for many has replaced religion as their guiding light. A subject so sacrosanct that to question its validity will raise the ire of tens of millions across the globe. To be a heretic places one in extreme danger. Merely questioning the teachings will most certainly result in one being unliked or unfollowed.

Many a brave man before me has been martyred for standing up for what they believe. I choose now to follow my conscience and bear witness to what I believe to be the truth. Facebook and Twitter are stupid!

I speak from a business perspective. Facebook may have some value for personal use. Twitter is devoid of any value. History will treat it as just another absurd fad that overcomes society from time to time. It will stand next to the Pet Rock and the Chia Pet in museums years from now.

The primary difference between Facebook and Twitter on one hand and the Pet Rock and the Chia Pet on the other is the potential for personal harm caused by our social media friends. The only way your Pet Rock or Chia Pet could cause harm is if you threw them at someone and I have read of no instance of this ever having happened.

Facebook and Twitter are lethal weapons. One is not required to have a license to operate either of them. There is no enforced age limit on their use. One is not required to take an instruction course. You are free to operate either of them while intoxicated. On the non-business side, this has had all of the expected consequences. I read that nearly half of all divorces are now a result of naughty Facebook entries. Do you have any idea how many people I have decided not to interview based on the content of their wall? Think of the tragedy of Tweeting and driving. When I’m bad, I like to think that in time, all will be forgotten. Not so for Facebook and Twitter. What goes on the web, stays on the web.

But this article is not about the personal use of these pathetic excuses for business tools. The problem is that I’m at a total loss to discuss their business use. I’ve attended many an event, luncheon and training seminar that was supposed to make me an informed person on how to use Facebook and Twitter to grow my business and make it more profitable. I always come away empty handed. Someone stands-up, gives an entertaining presentation, finishes and everyone applauds enthusiastically. But no one has learned a darn thing other than Facebook and Twitter are the most powerful marketing tools known to man.

BS. The only thing powerful about Facebook and Twitter is the ability for these snake oil salesmen to earn some money promising to give you the secret of how to employ these silly things for personal gain. Facebook and Twitter are stupid!

I will now retreat to the safety of my bunker deep beneath Tiger Mountain in beautiful Issaquah, Washington.

His corporate career was focused on restructuring failing businesses. Gabel worked with management to develop a viable strategic plan. Most often, he would then assume control and implement the plan. He now prefers to help small businesses grow.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!

Learn more about the author, Richard Gabel.

Posted by Michael Hartzell, Seattle, Washington | Nov 03, 2011

Richard,

You made me SMink - Smile and think at the same time. -- with this one.

Since what you speak of are simply tools to communicate, i suppose you could come to the same conclusion for the phone. You can be drunk or sober and have no license.

The tool is only as the person using it and if someone decides that the best use for a bucket is to put it upside down and use it as a stool, then that works for them. Can't judge them for wanting to use the bucket as a stool...

What does any tool which helps people connect with other people do for business? It depends.... maybe nothing at all.

Great article, deep thoughts and very interesting perspective.

Guerrilla Marketing Ideas that Rock!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 04, 2011

Thank you Professor Hartzell.

This is something of an experiment. I've written many articles that those that have read them found worth reading. The problem is not many people have read them.

This is an experiment to find out if the mere mention of Facebook or Twitter will create unbridled interest or that calling them stupid will create such controversy that people will open the article just for the pleasure of telling me I'm a jerk.

I expected that this article would get more reads than anything I've written in the first day. Alas, the experiment is a bust if Biznik does not put it on the main page. Guerilla Marketing Research is not always successful.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Laura Dodson, CPA, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Richard,

I've come the same conclusion on Twitter. Most of my feed are automated tweets that have no personal involvement. There are a few exceptions of people actually writing their own tweets, but for the most part it is a barren canyon of mindless tweets, read my ten points of ****, and download this app! My account is still active, but I don't check it that often. Laura

Tax Preparation and QuickBooks Training
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Thanks for reading Laura. I do see how Facebook can be of value in actual fact, but not so for Twitter. Like you I have an active account and anything posted is automated. When people have tens of thousands of folling and followers, the Tweets are lost in the blink of an eye.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Michael Hartzell, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

I have this new thing called a ratchet. Not sure why but I can't seem to find any use for it. It just goes around, makes a little clicking noise.

Then of course there is a phone where all people do is talk about the weather and other unimportant things. Why don't they spend more time using the telephone as a means to do something productive other than chit chat, text, etc.

Here is an interesting article where you can learn all about how to find the best deals on Twitter on Black Friday. http://www.michaelhartzell.com/Blog/bid/78049/Black-Friday-Twitter-Deals-infographic

Now Twitter can help you and everyone keep bucks in their pockets (and wake up in the middle of the morning.)

Twitter is a database. You don't "listen" like the old days. You set up keyword alerts which automatically notify you if someone chat about what you like talking about. (be specific)

Set the alarm..,. Black Friday is almost here.

Guerrilla Marketing Ideas that Rock!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Michael,

I will continue to use Twitter, but if Twitter is a database, it's a database for Twits.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Michael Hartzell, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Ah!

You might be right.

But the definition may be more than you know.

'it' is singular 'twits' is twice as many of 'it'.

Since IT is an acronym for Intellectual Thoughts, I would have to say that Twits is Twice as many Intellectual Thoughts.

:)

Guerrilla Marketing Ideas that Rock!
Posted by Dawud Miracle, Boulder, Colorado | Nov 10, 2011

You know, I'm torn on this topic myself. What I know is most so-called social media experts/gurus/consultants have done no more than read a book, attended a conference and studied some blog posts to get their much maligned titles. My first question whenever dealing with one of these types is to ask, "how much money has your expertise in social media actually made your clients?" And I want real data here.

Yet when it comes to Twitter, Facebook and business usage, I think people are off on the wrong foot. It's not about what you post - it's about what you hear. Twitter provides an amazing tool for listening...listening to what the people in your target audience are looking for. People always want to talk on these services. But they forget rule #1 in business - listen.

Yet all this goes to say that the whole social media 'movement' is bull shit. There's nothing new here other than a few tools. But take away the tools and what are we left with? Networking... connection... conversation... relationships. And human beings have been building businesses on connections and relationships for hundreds of years.

So there's nothing new in social media. All Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn (Biznik) allow us to do is connect with people from all over the world regardless of where we are. Smart phones, iPads, netbooks, laptops, desktop computers - through them and these social networks we can can now connect with people whenever and from wherever we want.

So could we just stop kidding ourselves that social media is something new? It used to be you had to walk to connect with people. Then there were cars. Then telephones. Then computers. Now we're mobile with social networks. But it's all still about connecting with people.

That's the foundation of business today just as it was 100 years ago and just as it will be in another 100 years.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

I'm sorry Michael, but your comment was over 140 characters making it invalid. As a Professor of Inbound Marketing you're far too gifted to speak Tweet.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Dawud,

Interesting perspective on social media. Excellent point, just new tools to do the same old same old. Those that understand that can benefit from using these new tools. Others will Tweet about what they had for dinner.

Chicken saltimbocca and mushroom and arugala salad

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Terry Murphy, Southamption, Hampshire United Kingdom | Nov 10, 2011

%Richard. I have offered a segment in my talks / stand-up for several years with the intro "Twitter is for Twits". It doesn't get old. One of the better laughs.

Recently I discovered "Twit Cleaner". A great tool to discover the 'tools' that you follow. It identifies twits who only post links, repeat their tweets endlessly and many more reasons the identified should be removed.

I should have discovered this ages ago, but I don't care enough about Twitter to look for such things.

Where is the same for Facebook and LinkedIn (oh, and Biznik)?

Personally, I would extend the whole discussion about 'permission to enter the forum' and licensing to parenting.

Oh, and the "%" before your name is my new convention for explaining that I am talking to you, because for many, apparently your name is not sufficient (and the "@" sign is so passe).

Thnx for the fun...
Posted by Paul Travis, CMC, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

I notice you chose to carve out Biznik as "not stupid" (smart since that's your publishing platform) but why did LinkedIn get left out of the stupidity stampede?
Posted by William Thompson, Walnut Creek, California | Nov 10, 2011

Richard ... If you thought you would not find another person out here that would totally agree with you, think again. One comment mentioned Facebook and Twitter are communications tools - and asked if you would abandon the phone. I would certainly consider doing so if the phone babbled at me constantly with mostly meaningless drivel. It is no mystery that one of the most recently popular aspects of U.S. telephoning has been the "Do-Not-Call" list. In an age where communication overload is bringing dementia, Facebook and Twitter have added to the cacophony - and a company trying to squeeze its "relevant" messages in between posts of what a person had for lunch or what bar they have checked into is a far stretch as to choosing the right place to communicate. Of course, there are those who will claim "spelling my name right" is all that's needed - and they have a point - a point about the size of a pin. Add to that the self-serving tendencies of many would-be marketers among those believing Facebook and Twitter to be the second coming of the wise men, and the result will eventually be a backlash. Even the best posters are drowned out by the masses discovering their mundane fame as they add hundreds of "friends" they have never met, spoken to, or ever even heard of. One or two of our clients have insisted, and our diligent measuring of results for business enhancement has found little to report - in spite of business owners assigning some minion in their office to keep the drivel going with little control and lost payroll costs. Are these contraptions (Facebook and Twitter) the culmination of the concept that 1000 monkeys typing will eventually create a best-selling novel? Apparently so, by the fervor with which the miracle-seekers have embraced them. Having said all this, we think a business person seeking credibility and meaningful relationships can do better than inject themselves into a screaming match - and that's just one reason we totally agree with your humorous diatribe.

William H. Thompson Principal Thompson Group Marketing Since 1991 Walnut Creek, CA
Posted by Lu Schildmeyer , Kent, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Richard... I am another who can find no business value in Twitter or Facebook. (I have as of this year created a Business Facebook Page just for a presence)

LinkedIn is my #1 business, marketing, collaboration & potential new client platform for mostly out of the area project work.

Myself & Teresa Springer in the near future will be holding a BizNik free seminar on how to use LinkedIn correctly and the attendies will have all the information and necessary steps when they leave the seminar to use it to benifit there business.

Thank you for a great article. At the end of the day meaningful business is and always will be done face to face with a hand shake and a look in the eyes of the people you will do business with. Lu
Posted by Terry Murphy, Southamption, Hampshire United Kingdom | Nov 10, 2011

All joking and tongue-in-cheek aside, the value of Twitter and Facebook are actually quite easy to see in certain circumstances.

I sent a twitter message to the head of customer service of British Telecom and had a satisfactory response in my inbox within 30 minutes. A lot quicker than trying to fight my way around the telephone protection system.

Most of my clients find considerable value in these facilities, at least a couple actually getting the vast majority of their business from their work on Social Media. Could they achieve the same quicker, more easily some other way? Perhaps, but it suits them. As it happens my particular niche does not use Linked In particularly. This is not my doing or bidding, this is how their businesses have evolved.

I seldom tweet or read the 'wall' or whatever it's called, seldom post to FB, but still, since starting this comment have had 2 prospects pop their heads up on FB.

But the pokes and humour around the real value of social media is fun...may it last as long as Facebook.

As for Lu's final comment above...I was a firm believer in this for 40 years, but now I look forward to 'one day' meeting my clients. Meeting on Skype is the nearest I will get in many cases. Ehh, perhaps Lu is right and my business isn't therefore meaningful...happy to go with that...:)
Posted by Steve Trojan, Crystal Lake, Illinois | Nov 10, 2011

I have to agree with this. I've had a Twitter and FB account for my business for 3 years now. I haven't found a single client because of this. For anyone to afford the time to weed through thousands of tweets boggles my mind. And most of those thousands of tweets are from marketing gurus and twitter experts. The others simply have too much time on their hands and are not valid prospects anyway.
Posted by Dawud Miracle, Boulder, Colorado | Nov 10, 2011

@Richard

And for public consumption:

wife, 4 kids & I 8 @larkburger here n boulder last nite. excellent turk burgs
Posted by Chas Wyatt, Gladstone, Oregon | Nov 10, 2011

I can see your guerilla marketing campaign is a roaring success. You have upset the apple cart and tossed the Golden Idol on the Pyre. Why do I view tweets like spam and ignore them? Here is some 'shock and awe'- I don't have a Facebook, or Twitter account. I must be the last man standing. I do belong to LinkedIn, and thus, am constantly bombarded with Tweets and Re-Tweets; ever hear of anyone re-spamming someone? I liked the book and movie about Facebook, but, have no desire to be part of it, even though I am constantly given a sermon about the pitfalls of avoiding the herd. I really 'liked' the Spiderman movies, too, but, have no desire to go swinging from Skyscrapers in Manhattan, or to be bit by a genetically-altered spider. Now, if you could really stick your neck out and write a similar piece about Google, you'd make my day!
Posted by Michael Hutchins, Houston, Texas | Nov 10, 2011

Hi Richard, Far be it from me to disagree from someone who is obviously on familiar terms with stupidity. BTW- I just "tweeted" this and shared it with my friends!
Posted by Scott Cleveland, Prosper, Texas | Nov 10, 2011

Just yesterday, I told the president of my company the same thing. I use Ping to populate Twitter and Facebook for business. I use Facebook for friends and family only.

I think using social media means taking advantage of all forms of communication. I have even added Google+. I am not convinced that anyone could present facts showing that using Twitter and Facebook for business will get good leads.

That said, I like your post.
Posted by Marc Becker, New Orleans, Louisiana | Nov 10, 2011

I think you have a point, Richard. In the grand scheme of things, the time spent on posting and reading all the drivel that comes across the internet these days that counts as "news" or "information" has undoubtedly slowed our individual and collective productivity. The real test that most businesses require of new channels of distribution and communication has not yet been done on Twitter and Facebook. Namely - statistically how much money did it bring to the bottom line?
Posted by Alan Wager, Martinsburg, West Virginia | Nov 10, 2011

I am working with a group right now to get my company on the first page of our local search on Google. They have done that. Great! They have also posted a page on Face Book and Twitter. I can not find any reason for being on these. I do agree with you. Like many sits to promote my company, every site wants me to up grade so they make money. These are the only ones making money. My clients come from a small three county area and being seen by the whole world means nothing to my business as I do not offer anything to the whole world or even my whole state. I almost 5 years my web site does not even come up when you type in for a contractor in my own area. I am looking for that 74% in my area that are looking on line for some of the services I offer and when we do not come up in a search, how does that work for running a company for over 30 years?
Posted by Marie Maguire, Bellevue, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Richard, an entertaining article that gave me a therapeutic laugh. Many thanks!
Posted by Tara Reed, Orlando, Florida | Nov 10, 2011

I just read something recently that said being opinionated is a good thing. So I stopped being scared of saying what I believe and started being real about things rather than not wanting to "offend" someone. I like it. And that's why I like your article. You shared what you really believe.

I tweet and facebook regularly and it does do something for my online presence, but it's not an equal trade off: energy expended does not equal results produced.

Who knows why that is, maybe it's just what you said twitter is a fad that will expire in time. I don't "get" twitter, but I've been told it's good for business. I can't tell if its doing anything at all.

Thanks for having an opinion. More importantly thanks for sharing it so frankly.

Dr. Tara (No, really, I'm a Doctor)
Posted by Michael Schuett, Renton, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Well...that's three minutes of my life I'll never get back. What a waste of time. After seeing your article posted on the weekly Biznik articles email I was eager to read it. "Ah...good!" I said to myself. "A contrarian. Hopefully he'll educate me on why Facebook and Twitter don't work for so many people and what some intelligent alternatives may be." WRONG! Just a rant from an East Coast smarty pants who clearly takes too much pride in being obnoxious. (I may be stating my case too strongly, but I'm just following your lead). Many businesses who properly and diligently use Facebook and Twitter in a professional manner garner a tremendous amount of business from them. Like any business or promotional efforts those who don't do it properly or at least consistently fail miserably. It's just that simple. My company's humble (and soon to be replaced) website has never had as many visitors as the week after I first opened my Twitter account 1 1/2 years ago. And that's what you want. Visitors to your site. What you do with them after that is based on more traditional marketing and business practices. Facebook and Twitter serve another very valuable service even if they NEVER bring you direct customers. As I explain in my blog entitled "Word of Mouth Needs a Hand": http://mschuettblahblahblah.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/word-of-mouth-needs-a-hand/ you must be able to be found when your name or business name is typed into Search engines. And you must be able to blanket that entire first page. To do otherwise is to invite your competition in to a direct referral conversation you WERE having with a potential new client. Calling FB and Twitter stupid is merely an indication of your frustration with your own failed efforts. Give me a call some time and I'll happily give you the five minute schooling on how to make it work better for you. Michael Schuett Total Broadcasting Service https://www.facebook.com/totalbroadcasting
Posted by Molly Fleming, Decatur, Georgia | Nov 10, 2011

That's, "...their guiding light."

Also, I once landed an $8,000+ freelance-writing job solely from a Facebook interaction.

Finally, the Arab Spring movement is a direct result of social media. When we're finally able to do business with the new Arab world, I'll think back to the positive effects of Twitter, for sure.
Posted by Tracy Morrow, Cleveland, Ohio | Nov 10, 2011

It's refreshing to see someone state their opinion regardless of public opinion. I personally use both Twitter and Facebook. While I don't know the use other than meeting people and creating networks, it's fun and I get good ideas for writing, which is what I do.

One thing I will say is when it comes to breaking news, twitter is the place to go. The informational real time tweets from those effected are worth wading through the mish-mash.
Posted by Steve Trojan, Crystal Lake, Illinois | Nov 10, 2011

"Also, I once landed an $8,000+ freelance-writing job solely from a Facebook interaction."

That is good news but I can't get over the word "once". Reminds me of the saying "even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while." I am not minimizing your new client, it's just that the getting a client through social media, especially Twitter, is so remotely small it's not worth the effort. I am still a believer in FB as I use it more to follow companies I like than to interact with friends. I figure if I follow companies I get good info from, so will others. I think there is some hope with FB. Twitter IMHO is a complete waste of time.
Posted by Jerry Airsman, Arnold, Missouri | Nov 10, 2011

Amen & Amen... In the old days the computer was the servant of man but nowadays man is the servant of the computer. The master has now become the slave !! The 1950’s sci-fi has become reality! Thank you Richard Gabel your article has been very liberating. Jerry A. Accountant/CFO Former Computer Science Teacher
Posted by Laura Dodson, CPA, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

"And that's what you want. Visitors to your site."

But are the visitors qualified and able to purchase your products. I agree that my twitter account gets a lot of traffic. But much of it seems to be twitter spammers not people.

Tax Preparation and QuickBooks Training
Posted by Dr. Christine King, Winston Salem, North Carolina | Nov 10, 2011

Amen! Amen! Amen!

They are stupid, stupid, stupid!

Thanks for daring to say so out loud. When cosmetics now have their own facebook page, you can be sure that the writing is on the wall :-).

I'd be willing to bet that the smart kids have already moved on to something else.

Social media, folks. SOCIAL! To try to exploit them for business purposes is akin to handing out copies of your business presentation at a birthday party. Or at a kegger, as the case may be.

And do we really need a web site and a facebook page and a twitter account and a linkedin account and whatever that other one is - and now Google +? If so, why?

Might it be because everyone - business owners and consumers alike - are so overstimulated and our time is so overfull (mostly with a lot of fluff and nonsense and with Covey's "urgent but unimportant" things) that we have to keep battering our clients/customers - and friends! - about the head and shoulders just to get a sliver of their attention?

Mightn't there be a better way?

Thanks again, Richard. What a treat!

-Chris King-
Posted by Terry Murphy, Southamption, Hampshire United Kingdom | Nov 10, 2011

Steve (and other disbelievers), if you have a moment, have a look at my earlier comment immediately above your earlier one.

Not once but in some cases exclusively, in others, frequently. I think it is about the sector and the service / product even more than necessarily even the practitioner. But it can and does happen...:) Twitter and FB are, I believe more about the "Know, like, trust" process than sale generation typically. If your market is remote, this is sometimes quite a good option in this role.

This is a fun thread, with some getting a little more serious than I think it was intended.
Posted by Molly Fleming, Decatur, Georgia | Nov 10, 2011

Steve,

I also consistently get new customers for my small product-based business from Facebook, but I thought adding that tidbit would just be arrogant. :-)
Posted by Steve Trojan, Crystal Lake, Illinois | Nov 10, 2011

Molly, that's not arragoant at all; it the information I want to hear because my results tell me so far it is a waste of my time.

I do believe that for selling to consumers, Twitter may be, and FB can be, a good way to sell. I am a CPA and my market is the business owner. Despite a lot of encouragment from me to "like my FB page" or "follow me on Twitter" almost none of my clients are inclined to do so. It may very well may be my market. If I sold services or products in a B2C environment, it would probably work much better.
Posted by Molly Fleming, Decatur, Georgia | Nov 10, 2011

Bottom line: they are tools, like everything else. You have to determine 1) whether to use them, 2) how to use them, and 3) to what end to use them.

The way they have worked for me is as a sandwich board NOT alongside the "information highway," but on a side street (dirt road, almost) full of my very specific target audience members and no one else.

No time wasted, and perfectly adapted for building relationships you couldn't build any other way.
Posted by Jerry Airsman, Arnold, Missouri | Nov 10, 2011

In the old days the computer was the servant of man but nowadays man is the servant of the computer. The master has now become the slave !! The 1950’s sci-fi has become reality! Someday we will meet the I.T. god in the “cloud” hovering over Seattle ! Thank you Richard Gabel your article has been very liberating. By the way, I have no facebook or twitter accounts. Jerry A. Accountant Chief Financial Officer Former Computer Science Teacher
Posted by Michael Henley, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Richard, I love the courage of your convictions here. While I find your rant entertaining, I also find it a bit archaic. Along the lines of grandpa saying "I don't need a computer, I don't use email or cell phones, and I don't ever hear from my damn grand kids".

These social sites have been great for the musical careers of my son and daughter. Using these sites as conduits for their videos and songs, they have added thousands of CD and MP3 buying fans from all over the world! Don't believe me? Just Google Carson Henley or Tess Henley, and check their Twitter and Facebook music pages.

My point: we are now in a global economy and there is no way people outside this country would have even heard of my kids without sites like these. And if history does in fact repeat itself, these sites may, in fact, BE stupid in the future...but only because some new site or technology has replaced them.
Posted by Kathryn Hack, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Biznik University, to be sure! What engaging, articulate and diverse opinions. I think the headline touched a nerve and started a conversation, which does tend to support the cause for social media ... like Biznik. Thank you, everyone, for taking part. I learned some things and really enjoyed the process.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Terry,

I'm starting catch up with the comments. A couple of more like yours and I might be able to come out of hiding.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Paul,

At least LinkedIn tends to be serious. I don't know what value it has outside of getting a job and networking your own industry.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

William and Lu,

I am opening the blast doors to my bunker. The air was getting a little stale. I haven't read any hostile comments yet, but I know there will be some.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Terry,

Thanks for your comment. I did see value in Facebook once. Our puppy decided to wander past his invisible fence and we had searched everywhere. I asked my son to post something on Facebook that we were looking for our dog. Dog found less than a minute later.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Charles,

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Michael,

Please read the first comment I made. Thank you for participating, you made my point for me.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Lizz Quain, Bellevue, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

I think it all depends on your business, what product/service you're selling and who's your target market. I'm opening a play cafe in Bellevue, WA targeting moms who are HUGE facebook users. I'm also following many mommy bloggers on twitter as I hope they will promote my new business when I open my doors. For others, Linkedin, Biznik and other social media outlets make sense.

Social media sites and eNewsletters are the cheapest, most effective marketing and communication tools IN HISTORY. I have a 20 year traditional media, advertising and sales background (J. Walter Thompson, Conde Nast etc) and will be relying on these newer web-based tools for the bulk of my marketing efforts including word-of-mouth which will be enhanced by such tools.

Here's to our mutual success!

Lizz Washingtonian who moved to NYC and back to Washington... trying to balance my west coast niceness with my east coast directness =)
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Marc,

Great point. Marketing is about making money, not making marketing campaigns. Social media is a big time suck and like anything else, you need to be consistent. You can't just load content when you have a spare moment, it has to be methodical.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Alan,

Social media can help you get your website found. This article is shamelessly helping my website's Google Juice by all of the link backs on these comments. Facebook is also good at allowing you to target an audience with some very granular demographics. That of course assumes that your target market has nothing better to do than play on Facebook.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Marie,

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Dr. Tara,

Thank you for your comment. I wrote this after tiring of some exchanges on a BizTalk post between the capitalist and the failed capitalist turned socialist as a matter of convenience. I noticed that the string had been going on for years so in my last comment I said this was getting old and I was going to go write and article that would get people equally agitated and I'm going to call it Facebook and Twitter are Stupid.

This was also an experiment on the number of views that an article would get if it was on a "popular" subject versus an article that might in some way be considered a valuable contribution of business knowledge.

The article has certainly demonstrated the popularity of social media as a subject. I am rather surprised that there have not been more vicious attacks on me and my thoughts. Since the article was obviously written for humor as well as the subject, that may explain it.

Thanks again.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Molly,

Thank you, I've made the edit. The next time I want to organize a revolution, I'll use Twitter. But I do want to organize a revolution. I want people in the streets storming my office to buy my services. Hmmmmm

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Jerry,

Thanks for your comment. We need to make sure we worship the right IT God. What will happen to people that spent all their time on LinkedIn when the IT God turns out to be a Twitter. Will they be sent to MySpace?

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Terence Pagard, Seattle, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Richard, I totally agree with you, especially concerning the Twitter phenomenon. Hence my design, that you might like - check it out with this link.

www.cafepress.com/twitterfree

Thanks for the perspective!

Terence.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Tracy,

Thank you for taking time to read and comment. Taking an argument to the extreme tends to stimulate discussion and it's a more interesting read than "gosh, I'm just not sure I get the bang for the buck out of Twitter."

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 10, 2011

Terrence,

Thanks - I love it.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

You got it.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Molly Fleming, Decatur, Georgia | Nov 11, 2011

I was quoting you, and for some reason the rest of what I wrote didn't get posted; it was quite odd but probably just as well.

The gist was that I actually found that comment of yours somewhat insulting to my client base. Facebook is an outlet, just like playing golf or going to bars; I don't do either of those but don't bash those who do. Some 800 million can't be too wrong.
Posted by Harmony Coburn, Vancouver, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Great words Richard, I enjoyed the smile and I look forward to the day that everyone understands what you are saying.

As you can see from the number of responses, social media is a part of our society. As an SEO/SEM expert (aren't labels fun?) I am obligated to leverage FB and Twitter but I keep reminding my clients that they these mediums will not make them successful! As Molly says, these sites are just tools - use them as much or as little as is appropriate for your project. For a restaurant, Facebook can be a great tool - lots of local people getting the daily specials on their wall has driven additional traffic to one of my clients - but guess what - they get notified on FB and twitter that the new special has been posted and they have to go to the website to read the details :-D!.

On the other hand there is a gal that sews clothing for little children. I advised her early on that for long term results she should not depend on social media but instead use social media to introduce people to her own blog or website - but what do I know... because she did not want to take the time to learn how to leverage FB and drive traffic to her blog she is now "owned" by FB. The good news is she has developed a network on FB of people that look forward to her latest offerings and she makes a little money that way.... the bad news is she has also created a beautiful advertising platform so that her competitors can also reach her hard earned following.

People do want to communicate with each other and social media is a great way to do it (I am thoroughly enjoying the banter with my fellow Bizniks) but I look forward to the day that little boys that party hardy in college and come up with a fun idea while drinking beer aren't becoming billionaires because TV stations are too stupid to realize that saying "follow us on Facebook" is killing their advertising revenue! Thanks for a fun article.

Search Engine Optimization | Website Design
Posted by Brad Miller, Chicago, Illinois | Nov 11, 2011

They Yellow Pages are stupid.

Fax Machines are stupid.

Word-of-mouth is not stupid. All social media does for business is transfer word-of-mouth marketing to a digital media.

I had a client a few years ago tell me that he doesn't really care about his website because he'll get most of his business from the Yellow Pages. Of course, now he calls me to help him get more traffic to his website. Maybe websites are stupid too?

Perhaps Twitter and Facebook may be viewed like the CB Radio craze in the 1970s...But I seriously doubt it.

It's funny seeing those social media buttons under your headline. I'm really temped to share and like this.

Thanks for the digital conversation starter!! How many people have visited your website since you posted this article? You crafty devil.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Harmony,

Great comment. Yes there is a time and place for Facebook and Twitter for some if not many. The problem is that people often don't think through what they're trying to accomplish and approach social media as an end in itself and not part of a larger marketing strategy.

Glad I could stir the pot and get some valuable reaction.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Brad,

Oh my, you don't think I would write something just to drive traffic to my website.

Of course and that's why I write anything. It's also why I particpate in social media. If I have to suffer a couple of personal insults, it's a small price to pay for the SEO benefits.

Hopefully everyone, less the surprising few that are too emotionally involved, are learnng something from the conversation.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Oh and yes, I agree, the Yellow Pages and faxes are really stupid. With a little more vision, the Yellow Pages should have been Google. Faxes are like buggy whips, but an intrenched technology that is taking far too long to disappear.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Paul Travis, CMC, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Richard, I find it fascinating that your "full disclosure" comes out so late in the game. I've been watching the thread wondering how you can make such broad statements ("social media is a waste of time") without conviction.

Let's imagine a speaker who, on stage, talks about the health impact of cigarettes, and then finishes up with a smoke outside. My question to you: would you trust that person the next time they spoke? More importantly, would you hire that person?
Posted by Brad Miller, Chicago, Illinois | Nov 11, 2011

It would be interesting for you to check your analytics and post the bump you get from the article.

Pure gold.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Paul, Hyperbole elicits response and that's the objective of marketing. As I said in earlier comments my intent is to get some discussion going on the subject. If I wrote that gosh I'm not sure about this Facebook thing being right for my business and I have some serious doubts about Twitter wouldn't that have been an exciting article. So far the response has been generally positive. There are of people out there, like me, that question their ROI on social media. Just because I use it, doesn't mean I don't think that far too many people are spending ridiculous amounts of time and money without a plan and objective. Why would people hire me? Because I can entertain, educate and in this case, have the hottest article on Biznik.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Molly Fleming, Decatur, Georgia | Nov 11, 2011

But at some point, and it's early on for me, integrity must come into play. I liked you better when you were "genuinely" arrogant.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Try reading my first comment Molly. Is that early on enough for you?

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Paul Travis, CMC, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Chuckle. I remember hearing once that a candidate who was disliked but remembered sufficiently was more likely to get elected than someone who was liked and not remembered.

I don't think that applies here. I'm in your locale and I wouldn't think to refer you because of my point about your integrity.

The fact that you're now telling so many people to check your first comment means that you're not aware (or admitting) that you were unclear about your ruse.

To each their own!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 11, 2011

Paul and Molly,

If you read my article and didn't see overstatement boardering on satire as an attempt to entertain, I think you both need to lighten up. Did the last line about retreating to my bomb shelter not strike you as perhaps suggesting I was looking to get some contrary opinions?

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Molly Fleming, Decatur, Georgia | Nov 11, 2011

That's "...bordering on satire...." Paul, let's you and I blow this Popsicle stand, as they used to say in the '80s, and go have a beer.
Posted by Paul Travis, CMC, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Nov 12, 2011

Perfect timing, Molly. I'll meet you halfway, say Urbana Illinois :)

Richard, good luck with your "high heat prose". I've wasted enough time thinking there was something valuable here.
Posted by Richard Barras, Geneva, Geneva Switzerland | Nov 14, 2011

I love such articles that don't beat around the bush and shake the conventional wisdom. I agree Facebook and Twitter are of no value when it comes to making business. I have found use in Twitter indirectly, as far as following news and innovations in certain industries. Of course, it takes time to find the right people to follow, otherwise your timeline will be polluted by spam and drivel.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 14, 2011

Thank you for commenting Richard. It is a contagion that has got us all infected. I'm sure there are opportunities for their use, but not universally and certainly not to the extent that many apply their time and energy. Like all things, best in moderation and make sure you measure your results.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Don Bistrow, Ludington, Michigan | Nov 15, 2011

Amen!
Posted by Scott Cleveland, Prosper, Texas | Nov 15, 2011

Hey Richard, I have really enjoyed the conversation that you have started. That was even before I saw that you live in Issaquah - I grew up in Bellevue.
Posted by Noelani Rodriguez, Portland, Oregon | Nov 16, 2011

As a person that's grossed $1M in ebook sales online, I think I know a thing or two about the Internet.

It might be fun to listen to you spew though instead. I'll get out the popcorn.

I do a lot of public speaking, and find that most "people people" like teachers, coaches, speakers, etc. are making about a 1/3 of their income from Facebook.

Some of the smart marketers I know are answering questions on Twitter. Twitter is the #4 search engine and lots of people are asking questions that can lead to sales.

In a way though, your rabble rousing is a way of getting people talking and is social and fun.

Carry on, troublemaker!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 16, 2011

Noelani,

Glad you got the point. There are many opinions on social media out there. You don't get people talking by writing mush.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 16, 2011

Don and Scott,

Thanks for taking the time to read the article and make a comment.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Bob Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Nov 18, 2011

Interesting perspective, Richard, and most people who have found these tools useless, well, they haven't found a good way to use them. I actually believe that there is no blanket statement that can be made about any social media platform. You find the tools that work for you most effectively.

That's the beauty of being in business. And I can honestly say that I have heard worthless conversations as well here, on Biznik, as well as some in-person networking events.

And finally, yes, although I am not a huge fan of Facebook, I do use it, and am a bigger fan of Twitter, where I have found new clients and built some strong business relationships, without being a snake oil salesman : )

As the saying goes, different strokes, for different folks.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 18, 2011

Bob,

Thanks for the constructive comment. I wanted to get the conversation going and I accomplished that. I think your perspective is counter to most that have commented one way or the other in that you place Twitter higher than Facebook. I'm sure some folks out there would be interested in hearing more on that.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Alan Bishop, Franklin, Tennessee | Nov 24, 2011

Richard, FaceBook and Twitter are enablers which you have the right to use or ignore.

Before FaceBook and Twitter came along it was not easy to find out what perfect strangers did. You passed these people in the street and you had no idea of their story, nor they of yours. If we had the opportunity to get a quick sense of these people and their stories, interests we would have discovered the richness of our humanity. We would have had the opportunity to learn about others and discover more.

Like you, I grew up without these enablers and just wish they were available to me as a young man. I grew up in a tough neighborhood and at times it was hard to break free from this world and discover what light was to be found in other places and with other people. I had friends who did not feel happy with our harsh environment and the behaviors that would develop there but we were in a minority. We did not join the mass and get into trouble we attempted to break free but this was never easy.

As you round off your message you say you will retreat to your bunker beneath Tiger mountain. This is a hint that you are very satisfied with your comfortable environment. FaceBook and Twitter provides you with an opportunity to peak out from your cosy cave and begin to discover the world outside.
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 24, 2011

Alan,

The bunker comment was in recognition that there is a lot of passion out there on the subject of social media. I got what I expected, a lot of people commenting for and against. It's has generally been a good discussion with some people seeing there may be a use for social media and others perhaps recognizing some limits to its effectiveness.

I'm learning. I hope others are too.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!
Posted by Cliff Hurn, Seattle, Washington | Nov 25, 2011

I didn't read them all but noticed the one about the beneficial effect on the Arab world. At the time of the Egyptian “revolution” I had some thoughts “was this really a change?” Now we see the results in several of those countries; Egypt was under military control before the “revolution” and now we see protesting, injuries and death because they are still under the same military control. Will it be any better for any of the other Asian & Arab countries? To say that Facebook and Twitter have helped is a bit of a stretch; nothing has changed.

As for the business benefits of Facebook; I’m just getting started. Should I forget it & try something else? What would you suggest? ClifftheRoofer
Posted by Bob Dunn, Seattle, Washington | Nov 25, 2011

Hey Richard, kept meaning to come in and address your question to me..

While my success it more with Twitter than Facebook, I'm hard pressed to explain it all here... maybe it's another article, or a blog post : )

But again, I think it's how you approach these different platforms, and if they work for you or not. There's no magic bullet, as with any kind of networking or marketing.
Posted by Harmony Coburn, Vancouver, Washington | Nov 25, 2011

Hi Cliff, the business benefits of Facebook are totally in relation to your target market. For example, most of my clients don't gain a lot from their Facebook pages - because they are B2B and Facebook is much more about personal interactions.

On the other hand, one of my clients is a local "neighborhood" restaurant with several FB followers. He posts his daily specials on his website, then posts a notice on his FB fan page that the special has been posted and he gains traffic to his website AND many customers base their lunch and dinner destination decisions on those specials, those people "share" their plans and then their friends learn about this great restaurant - just like the office water cooler - this is powerful word of mouth advertising. In this case, FB works!

Another client does hardwood floors, since FB is social, if one of his clients says what a great job he did for them, their friends "hear" that and if/when they consider doing a similar project they will look to this referral for a bid.

The important thing is to leverage social media, without getting too caught up in it - use it, don't let it use you.

First and foremost, make sure your own house (website) is in order. Make sure you can do business well without social media. Then use social media as a tool to enhance your foundational marketing strategies.

Search Engine Optimization | Website Design
Posted by Richard Gabel, Issaquah, Washington | Nov 26, 2011

Cliff,

I agree with Harmony. Generally you're using social media to drive traffic to your site. I'd recommend getting a site if you don't have it, setup a Facebook fan page since it will take less time than having a site built and give you a web presence and start a blog to also build your authority and drive traffic to your site.

I'm sure Bob and Harmony would be delighted to help you out on this.

Marketing and consulting to help your business grow!