This week I attended an evening game to watch Doncaster Rovers play Burnley in the hospitality suite. It was quite simply a fantastic evening. There was some the opportunity to listen to some talks and exchange business cards around the table. It was quite informal and we were blessed with really good company.
One of the things I most enjoy is people watching and listening in to others who are promoting and selling their products and services. I was seated with about ten others and most interestingly sat opposite me was the Managing Director of a local website company with a Facebook promotion.
Image via Wikipedia
I’ve been doing online marketing for a fair while, certainly before all the sharks moved in. I’m not talking about the box shifting type of marketing, or the affiliate type, but the route-to-market type, delivered online. I’ve seen it all, from SEO Dream Team sellers to Dropship Website sellers and it’s always interesting to listen the sales patter that people use.
One thing that struck me was the introduction this guy gave. It was a good one. He said,
Facebook: you can do it yourself, we can do it for you for as little as 350.00 pound; and it’s important because if you set your company up as a Personal Account on Facebook, you are at risk of being ** Fined ** by Facebook…!!!
To which I replied “Fined…!!” I found this amusing on a number of levels, but I certainly wouldn’t discount what was being said.
I dug a little deeper to ask him how he knew of this and the reply was he had seen emails from companies who had received fines for being a Personal Account holders and making their first name and surname the name of their business. My reply was quite good. I said “Really, it would be great if you could email me with details of that too”. There was a look of horror, but acceptance all the same. I await the email. To me, it is neither here nor there but one thing seemed to stand out in my mind: sales pressure and sales tactics.
In sales, people are played off against their competitors. People are also sold to on the basis of fear of loss or just plain fear. I’ve seen this in online marketing over the last fourteen years or so and I have to say it is no surprise to hear a local company using fear to scare people, shock them, build trust, so they can move in for the kill. It’s a hard-nosed sales tactic you expect of sectors of old like double glazing and such. I could raise all sorts of questions, I could effectively name and shame, but there is no need, I’d rather discuss this socially as a blog and see what the social web thinks about this.
I’ve read Facebook trademark policy. I’ve also read their Terms & Conditions as well. Perhaps they’ve changed. Maybe they issue Fines. I doubt it. I really do. More like termination of account or court action. I recommend everyone has a read of Facebook Terms & Conditions if are going to use it for business. Personally, what I like to see in the market place is people validating what they say, especially when it’s free advice.
Let’s discuss it.
Are Facebook issuing fines?
If No, Why would a web company brint this up?
If Yes, Lets see the evidence…! 
Helloooo...!!
@tweetsbyskeet is on Twitter, micro-blogging, writing musings and enjoying the difference between Web1.0 and Web2.0. There is nothing this skeeter doesn't enjoy more than looking round the web and creating musing and thought provoking blogs for people who are now taking part in the interwebs. Despite the rambles, our skeeter has an honours degree in business information systems, has worked in systems design, coming from a Business Analyst discipline and now churns out plug and go artwork products for companies of all sizes.
There is nothing a skeeter likes more than people commenting on his blog.
To tweet with skeet, go to: www.twitter.com/tweetsbyskeet
WordPress Support for blogs and websites