Facebook’s Fan Page

In my INTE 5665 course called Social Media and Digital Cultures, I was asked to explore the in’s and out’s of Facebook Fan Pages and to then share my thoughts on how I could use Fan Pages to support my social networking and/or instructional goals.

So I’ve actually had a Facebook Fan Page for about 5 years now.  I created it shortly after I started my food blog back in 2009.  Back then, I think it was called a “Business Page” and I remember having to agree to terms of use and designate that I was not a for-profit business.  The categories of what kind of business I was were limited and I think I chose “Food Service Provider” or something like that.  It sat dormant for quite some time, but when I saw my first spike in website traffic, I was hooked and wanted more.  So I took to my Facebook Business Page and began posting links to my recipes and photos and then suddenly I had over 300 likes within the space of two months.  But back then, I posted all the time.  And the EdgeRank algorithm was not created yet.  (I’ve seen headlines that EdgeRank is “dead,” but I am unable to confirm if it really is no longer in use.  Whatever you want to call it, Facebook still uses an algorithm.)  If you liked a page, then its content showed up in your newsfeed no matter what, unless you chose to unlike the page.

My, my, how things have changed!  I stepped away from my blog’s Fan Page when I had my daughter and it’s been very difficult to recover the Facebook traffic I used to have.  After doing some research, I realize I’ve caused too much damage to my ranking by not remaining engaged with my “fans.”

Based off of this experience, I knew I did not want to choose this route for my networked learning space.  I work for a company that helps small businesses with their marketing efforts and I know how much time and effort you have to put in to stay active and engaged.  It’s not that I don’t think it’s worth it though.  Someday when I have a life again, I fully plan on jumping back on the Facebook Fan Page saddle (for my own personal use with my food blog)!  Until then, I’ll have to let Shakira, Rihanna, and Eminem soak up all the action.  It’s too bad I can’t be like the Twilight Fan Page and post only three times in a year and still have over 45 million likes.  🙂