The Value Of Unsolicited Facebook Likes

Asking for Facebook Likes is not good and it is naïve to think that the number of ‘Likes’ is an essential element to a strategy.  You don’t know how many of those people are reading your posts, how many people you are reaching and changing behaviours of?  Engagement levels are slightly better but you still don’t know how many people are ‘lurkers’, who are listening, may be buying but are just not openly engaging on social media.  Or the ones who engage but don’t purchase.  It’s a conundrum.

Work for the ‘Like’
I’d suggest working for the ‘Like’.  In this case the call for ‘Likes’ came in an online group.  Why not start to post in the group, talk to people, show your expertise in your area.  I am more likely to take notice of what you are doing this way.  I’m never going to ‘Like’ you if you ask me.  Show me why I should ‘Like’ you, show me how are you going to add value to me?  That is what customers of all types want to see.
I also won’t be ranting on Twitter or blogging about you asking for my ‘Like’.
So, four reasons why you shouldn’t ask for a Facebook ‘Like’:

1. Asking and seeing an increase in ‘Likes’ does not mean your social media strategy is successful
2. People liking you does not mean that they are reading your posts or interested in your company or brand
3. If you ask for ‘Likes’ can you guarantee that your posts are relevant and add the intended value?
4. If you are measuring social metrics asking for originally non-intended ‘Likes’ to increase numbers will skew your results. 

(Please click on the keywords "Facebook Likes" to read the full article)


All of us who have Facebook Fan Pages desire as many people as possible to "Like" our Fan Page. Hopefully "Liking" our Fan Page will mean our posts and content will be read but most of the time that is not the case, particularly if we have just out and out asked for "Likes". I don't mind "Liking" someone's Fan Page if asked but that doesn't mean I am really interested in the content of their Fan page. My "Liking" of their Fan Page is basically just an acknowledgement of the efforts they have put in their Fan Page not necessarily that I will use the Fan Page content. Most of my Fan Page 'Likes" came with a Facebook advertising campaign. "Being sociable" Facebook Likes really don't' mean anything so I am not going to ask for "Likes" anymore in the future. Unsolicited Facebook "Likes" are what is of real value, as I see it.