How to Face the Facebook

Remember the last time you were away, far far removed from that familiar blue icon hovering on just about every web page promoting the face of modern communication. Yes, you do. You’re on it right now. Facebook hit the world like Industrial Revolution, basically transforming into a landmark event that has carried to this day. We all raked in the moolah, in our own ways. While some earned big fat wads of cash, some credit on Farmville (ruined my notifications panel), some earned ‘friends’ far and wide, some publicity, ideas and the list goes on. We prefer to update our feelings, see ‘X is feeling amused a B’s behaviour’ at ‘yo and yo location.’ Not to mention the number of emoticons or animated GIFs (still don’t know the full form), ‘smileys’ (even the gross green ones), the regular poking by dedicated facebook software that’s transitioning into AI knowing all about you and gossiping about it to other buddy sites. This is not a personal trolling drive against Facebook. Infact, it’s the opposite. This shows how profoundly effective, a marketing tool it is.

Facebook like all other complex puzzles and theorems operates on basic physical tenets with dollops of emotions stirred in, shaken up, at different times, or as mood dictates. Except here, a well measured quantity of narcissism, some genuine personality traits, some cool hand dealing in self branding/promotion and an excellent internet speed can literally launch you into the tough war-like zone of internet celebrities who epitomize the reigning adjectives in the dictionary which Oxford University Press dutifully adds to its urban jargon. Cool. Sassy. ‘Pakau.’ Innovative. These are the tame ones and the ones not mentioned here are too good to be in this article. Modesty is a dying trait. However, often we end up in a situation where a bad post (0 comments), or an unpopular picture (less than 50 likes), or sharing a page without acknowledgement can severely crush your morale and mood for the day. In marketing and idea development or simply promotion in PR, the operative cycle is simplicity and engaging with other competitors, a necessity. Failure to do so can result in emotional backlash. It’s almost a crisis. Quid pro quo. I like yours. You like mine. There is a popular slang that goes with it. When in doubt, go all out. Never back down. Never accept defeat. Some ways to get over Facebook rejection blues

1.      Take a break for a few days. Assault other networks and websites. Try to boost their business. This also means fighting the compulsion to check your page every few minutes.

2.      Avoid overdosing on Youtube. It is like a maze.

3.      Ease back slowly into the eternally blue community. Don’t come on too hard. Start with a simple straightforward post, dabble in politics, and comment on a burning issue. The seriousness of the situation and people’s short-term reverence to it can help nurse the ‘depression.’

4.      Put your foot down. Don’t take flack without giving it back in full. Someone, somewhere, or something, like a rogue missile from one of your own cannons has backfired and come to haunt your page. Take responsibility but don’t take the sledging.

5.      Don’t fall into the limbo of inactivity. Be a regular to avoid being a hound.

6.      The slew of venom that one receives is directly proportional to over-confidence. Avoid overplaying your hand. There are a lot of followers out there but there is also an ‘UnFollow’ and ‘UnLike’ button. (Another word for Oxford). The privilege of anonymity with a name is what facebook has empowered the world with. You know the culprit, and the mistake yet the rush of activity and distractions is so massive, one often cannot keep up with the internet drama.

All in all, enjoy the attention, but give it back twofold. The reverse psychology often stumps people to overthink and return the favour. That’s how dedicated followers are earned, who will stand by you, even when you’re ‘inactive’ for FOUR hours. Build your own army of influencers. Log on. Face up.