Dear my 127 Facebook friends,
Well… you’re actually 126 friends and a bar… it’s great how a bar can be a friend on Facebook, isn’t it?
Dear my 126 Facebook (living and breathing) friends,
A friend of mine (MP), on the west coast, made me sign up for Facebook three or four years ago. I did nothing to my profile, no info, nothin’, just got her updates from LA to stay in touch cause she was crazy busy hoofin’ it in Hollywood and I was rootin’ for her.
Then, about six months ago, a random friend that I knew friended me on Facebook. Fair enough… I knew Facebook had my name but was still a little freaked out with my first: “HARRY STEVENS FRIENDED YOU!” email… I almost looked over my shoulder… yet cool, I thought.
As the months ticked off, I would get a few more ‘friend’ requests who I would ‘friend’ back but I still didn’t do anything to my profile until about 7 weeks ago; had 5-7 Facebook friends tops back then.
7 weeks ago was when I knew we were moving forward with something big… big for us at least.
You see, we were getting ready to start a business… where we actually take credit cards as payment for our service so I thought I needed to get the word out and “social network” about our business.
Old friends contacting me on Facebook coinciding with needing to get the word out… hmmmmm.
So, what to do? Simple: put the butt in the chair, fill out the profile, add the picture and poke around… that was 7 weeks ago. Today, I sit here having just browsed my 126 friends and a bar on Facebook… wow, technology is pretty freakin’ cool and life is good.
I’m simply amazed at how many different people from different stages and times of my life I’ve been re-connected with over just the last 7 weeks that it takes my breath away! I’m sure some of you have had the same reaction… and I would know cause you’re my friends.
grade school; high school; college; young family; friends; SigEp brothers; friend of friends who are now friends… the list goes on. And the best part? I know each and every freakin’ one of ya!
But…
There is always a ‘But’, isn’t there? Some of you aren’t happy with me. You ‘direct message’ me and tell me how you hate the fact that I just joined the party because I’m starting a business and I want to use your ‘friends’ to expand our empire and take over the world.
At the end of some of these “How could you!” direct messages you say you think it’s “a great idea” or “knock ‘em dead”… which is classic ribbing at it’s best; start out with mock disgust and end with a pat on the back. Touche. I can take that and actually look forward to it.
But for you other direct messengers who are really, truly po’d that I’m updating my wall or would even THINK of direct messaging you about my business, business blog post or program launch raffle (which you can still enter and win BTW)…. well, to you folks (and there are only 3 out of 126; the bar doesn’t seem to mind much), I still freakin’ LOVE YA!
And I get it… and I’m sorry…
Ya know what, you’re right… I’m just hoping some of you know someone who could use our service so our business is successful. Guilty as charged. And you know what? I would do the same for your if you asked me to promote anything of yours… so please do.
Our program launch will be off soon enough and then we’ll be back to yappin’ about music, business ( but not ProAssisting), philosophy, Tiger, old times, gadgets, films or, gasp, politics! Things will soon get back to normal. I promise.
Until then, here’s where we stand; 7 weeks, 126 friends that I actually know; want to hear from & would love to bump into on the street, 1 bar & a marketing platform you’d bottle if you could… life is good, life is good. Thanks friends.
Cheers,
Jeffrey Ethan Bull
P.S. - Pass it on, RT, link to, stumbleupon, digg… whatever.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
If someone is upset that you are striking out on your own and need to get the word out, they are probably projecting their own unhappiness with their career or lack thereof.
There is nothing wrong with using social media to promote, but just don’t over do it. You haven’t in my opinion so keep up the occasional messages - it helps me keep track of what you are up to.
Ethan–I know your background–there has to be more than 1 bar
Isn’t that what social “networking” is all about? We love being kept up to date on what our friends are doing and, yes, that includes what you are working on. It is about connecting people to your lives and, as adults, our lives are often entertwined with our careers. And, now that many of us are starting families, it will only get worse. Some day soon I will be hitting you all up for school fundraisers! Oh, and I agree with dad - there must be more than one bar!
HA!… thanks Rena… and yeah, there MIGHT be more than one bar.
I say fuck em’. Your business is your life and “what you are up to”. Especially if you are an entrepreneur. No apology necessary. Now if you are sending a mass amount of BS then their disappointment is understandable. So, if you are doing it in a classy manner, which you are, then keep it up! I receive all sorts of things that i am not interested in via FB. and i can choose/control what and who i see. Real friends should want to support your passions!………..MH