The Illusion of Facebook Friends

By John McGory

Today’s world of social media is an illusion.  Facebook and Twitter deceive us with the promise of unlimited friendship and business connections.  Unfortunately, our brains are not wired for infinite associations.

It is true we can have 5,000 “friends” on Facebook and unlimited numbers of followers on Twitter.  But Robin Dunbar, English anthropologist, says the size of the “tribe” we can handle is around 150. 

Our brains are hardwired to handle only so much input.  Think about it.  You may have 500 friends on Facebook, but how many would you actually sit down with for a cup of coffee?  Certainly not 500.

A recent Indiana University study bolstered Dunbar’s Rule of 150.  They studied 1.7 million Twitter accounts over six month and analyzed 380 million tweets.  The average Twitter account had real ongoing conversations with just 150 people. 

The study also concluded that our brains are not changing.  Technology is not going to give us the power to turn into social super freaks.  We are simply reorganizing and selecting who we want to be in our tribe.  So, out with the weird cousin and in with the business associate from Bismarck. 

Social network companies are beginning to see the need to help users organize friends.  The new Google+ project attempts to deal with this by encouraging users to categorize friends. This soon-to-be-released social network will allow users to create “circles” of friends. 

Wrap your brain around the idea of your digital tribe and consider the impact of this as it relates to how you handle your business and social life.  Here are a few suggestions on implementing the Dunbar Rule of 150 into your life:

*Know who those 150 friends are.  You don’t have to start “de-friending” people on Facebook, but think about who is important in your business or social life.

*Win them over.  Go out of your way to pay attention to their needs, understand their problems and be there when they need it.  Talk to them as individuals, not as a single drop in a sea of “friends.”

*Don’t get caught up in following the next shining star that pops up on the Internet.  Match.com veterans know what I am talking about.  Focus on the people who have been there for you.  Maybe better things will happen if you focus on them instead of chasing happiness.

*Listen and then try to respond thoughtfully.

These simple rules apply to business or personal relationships.  The Indiana University study said it best when it compared social media and calculators.  Calculators did not make us math geniuses.  Our brains can only do so much.  Facebook and Twitter are not going to make us social rock stars.  Focus on who is important and chances are you will find Internet peace and success.

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Web Face is a communications and marketing company helping businesses focus on the people who really matter. 

Chillicothe and LeBron

June 21, 2011

Chillicothe Gets It 

      

The Chillicothe Gazette ran an editorial by Web Face's John McGory on the need for The Ohio State University to go to school to brush up on today's new marketing rules.  The university and its football program got caught up using old school crisis management tactics in today's hyperactive media world.  Not surprisingly, the university took a public relations beating.    Read the story here http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201106190730/OPINION02/106190309

LeBron and the Real World                            

George Vecsey wrote an excellent article in the June 18 New York Times focused on LeBron James' rant about fans getting back to the real world.  Vecsey said LeBron did his best Richard Nixon imitation ("You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore") in venting his frustration over fans' glee over his failures.  Vecsey discusses social media and its role in the growing nastiness between sports stars and the people who pay the freight.  He even quotes a Tom T. Hall song.  Got to love it.   Read it here 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/sports/basketball/george-vecsey-lebron-jamess-words-and-a-deeper-meaning.html

7-Step Business Social Media Plan

Pam Moore provides a seven-step social media plan for business http://zite.to/m9hYpn in this article.  Beware, it is more than slapping up a Facebook page and waiting for your new customers to come rolling in the door.  The plan requires integration of your business and marketing objectives into your social media efforts.  But for those who persevere, it will be worth the effort. 

She recommends hiring a consultant like Web Face to help devise a custom program that fits your business goals.  She cautions that the plan must be designed specifically for your business and its objectives.  Web Face customizes all of its social media plans.  Go here to learn more about how Web Face can help you with custom Internet services http://web-face-solutions.com/internet.html.

Webface 
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614-581-3610
Grandview/Westerville/The World

Sex, Lies and Videotape

 June 8, 2011

    

Congressman Anthony Weiner's admission that he sent lewd pictures of himself to women on Facebook and Twitter is another sign of the Apocalypse.  The story is too weird to be fiction.   No one would believe a congressman would do such a knucklehead thing.  Well, maybe a few people would.   Here is the BBC's video report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13677635

Lessons from the congressman's antics?  
1. Don't go trolling on Facebook and Twitter expecting to score with strangers. 
2. Don't send compromising pictures of yourself on the Internet to anyone.
3. Social media has changed the world but people are still the same.  
4. Don't lie about social media use. 
5. Don't hold a press conference to lie your way out of trouble. 
6. Get professional help (that includes social media experts such as Web Face and/or psychologists) before failing the first 5 lessons.

Seek professional help....redux                                               

Let's go from one lie to the next.  Ohio State University and its football program received some harsh criticism for its handling of the problems surrounding former Coach Jim Tressel.  Coach Tressel got caught up in deceiving the NCAA for violations of rules by star players. 

The university held a poorly planned press conference in March to try and deflect criticism.  It backfired.  Here is the AP coverage http://youtu.be/egY96nbIziA of the conference.  Note to Gene Smith...be very careful what you say when cameras are around.

Today's new marketing rules are:

1.  Reality matters, your image (or brand) doesn't.
2.  Collaboration over control
3.  You can't buy attention, you earn it.

Ohio State failed (as did Rep. Weiner) in adapting to the new marketing rules.  Again, seek professional help if you have the uncontrollable urge to hold a press conference to defend yourself. 

Don't go off half cocked

If you run into a little scrape, Web Face is here to help.  We are experienced, truth-seeking social media and video experts who will not let you go off half-cocked..... The marketing rules are changing.  Don't get caught on tape with your pants down (or your shirt off!).   Social media and video are like other tools.  They are great when used properly.  If not, then danger ensues. 

Webface 

Images/Issues/Internet
www.web-face-solutions.com
614-581-3610
Grandview/Westerville/The World

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