Of course, it isn’t really a fan page anymore because we no longer become Fans – rather, we Like.  I haven’t read anything about why the change from fanning to liking occurred, but I rather Like it.  It puts everybody involved on more or less equal footing rather than suggesting that the page owner is elevated to celebrity status!

My friend Peter O’Connell recently wrote on his blog of his ambivalence about creating a Facebook page for his voiceover business because it seemed egotistical – you’re basically asking people to like you, be your fan, whatever you want to call it.  He ultimately decided to create one despite his misgivings, because it could help people who are interested in his business to connect with him in a way that’s comfortable for them.

Ever since I started to overhaul my marketing plan a few months ago, I knew I would eventually create a Facebook page for my voiceover business.  The only reason I waited this long is that I’ve been pruning my contact database and in the course of doing so, have sought out the Facebook pages of the companies I work with or would like to be working with.  I wanted to get a better sense of what other people do with their pages, which would help me decide what I want my own page to do.  At this point fewer than 20% of my contacts have a business page on Facebook.  I feel that if a business does not have a Facebook page they’re missing out on a great way to connect with their customers.

I love it when the businesses I like have a Facebook page.  It’s wonderful to have a little community with which one is connected even when one is not physically at the place of business.  One of my favorite such Facebook pages is that of Bread Euphoria, a local cafe/restaurant.   Their website does a great job of telling me what’s on their regular menu.  Their Facebook page goes further and tells me what their specials are this weekend, makes note of a fun, free family event at the local library and suggests grabbing a pizza at Bread Euphoria afterwards and proceeding to a nearby park where there’s a free concert.  Perfect!  They often ask questions of their community, and their friends post comments about the delicious breads and pastries they buy from the bakery store.  The page administrator responds, so it’s a nice conversation. 

My voiceover business page is now up at Facebook as well.  As Peter suggests, it’s a bit nerve-wracking, actually taking the plunge.  I’m not going to heckle people to join me there, but I’ll be very happy if they want to.  This is the first place I’ve mentioned it to anyone, but it was fun to go there the morning after creating it expecting to see it “wandering lonely as a cloud” only to find that a few people had found it on their own in the night.  A warm welcome to them!  I wish I had some nice bread or pastries to offer like Bread Euphoria… I’ll work on that!