A 13 year old boy was able to gain 16,000 fans in a mere 96 hours with limited technical skill and a lot of heart. You can read the entire post, How A 13 Year Old Gained 16,000 Fans In 96 Hours here: http://www.allfacebook.com/how-gained-fans-2010-08#
The post is an excellent case use of Facebook but there is more to be learned from this pre-teen’s success. Logan Ludwig set up a Facebook page for his Grandfather who was dying of stage 4 lung cancer. His love and compassion for his grandfather drove him to use a familiar medium to raise money to help his grandfather.
You do not have to be technically astute to successfully capture an audience and have them respond to your call to action but you do have to care about more than your bottom line. Use Facebook and other marketing channels to solve problems for others, or add value and you have conquered half the battle. Your small business may not reach 16,000 fans in 96 hours but you will have a better chance of reaching an audience of people who matter most. Thanks to Logan Ludwig for the reminder that humanity does indeed have a place in social marketing.
Posted via email from Marketing, Musings and More from Karen Swim
Karen Swim says
Brad, we definitely need more stories like this one don’t we? So often what is reported and seen seems to highlight the negative or horrifying side of humanity. I am so glad to share a story that highlights the good within us and the good we can do when we care enough to act.
Andrew, one of the great blessings of children is that they remind us of the simplicity of the lives. Through their eyes we gain perspective.
Matt, a heartbreaking story does not equate to groundbreaking success, as many cause related organizations can share. I think this speaks to the solidarity of law enforcement, they do support one another. Every business will not be able to apply the lessons and get 16,000 fans but every business that views their offering from a human perspective and reaches out to a targeted community can certainly achieve better results. Wouldn’t you agree?
Matt says
Officer Ludwig’s story is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. It does make me wonder whether his grandson would have had as much success building such a fan base without the hook of the story itself. I’m not sure just following the steps as outlined would be effective without the tearjerker content.
Andrew says
Karen,
To some extent, children do not carry around as much baggage as adults, and for this reason, I feel there are a lot of simple, basic lessons that we can learn from them.
With regard to marketing, there is an old saying: ‘People don’t care how much you know (about your product or whatever) until they know how much you care’.
Brad Shorr says
Karen, Thank you for sharing this story. It’s always inspiring to see how much people do care and how much they are willing to help. It’s easy to forget that in the midst of all the negativity we’re exposed to in the media.
Karen Swim says
Jamie, you are so right. The irony is that so many talk about “community” and “engagement” but in reality they want a community of paying customers.
Jamie Favreau says
You are so right. Marketing and PR is about people as much as it is about ROI and having something or someone which a group of people endorse. Your message goes further when you give them something to believe in.