Facebook Updates and Action Alerts

On Facebook, there are two types of messages that can be sent to individual members privately. The first is the message, which can be sent from one individual to another through a Profile. The second is an update, which is sent from a Facebook Page administrator to the Page’s fans. The main difference between these two messaging options is that the former are delivered to the user’s inbox, which are in turn e-mailed to the individual.  The Facebook Updates, on the other hand, are relegated to the small, frequently unnoticed “Requests” section just under the Search bar and just above the Facebook Ads. Because of this, Facebook Updates really don’t lend themselves to important, time-sensitive grassroots organizing.

For a visual example, I logged into a friend’s Facebook account to grab a quick screenshot of her Requests section:

Regardless of how many updates a user has (34 is admittedly more than is probably usual), this placement on the page just doesn’t scream “Action Alert.”

This isn’t to say that there are no uses for Facebook Updates, just that there are much better ways to reach your members. Also, I am sure that out of all your Facebook Fans, at least a handful will read through your update and maybe even act on it. However, I really wouldn’t depend on the Facebook Update application for getting your message out to your followers. Consistent and effective use of your Facebook Wall is a better strategy because those messages show up directly in your fans’ news feed.

I do use Facebook Updates to complement region-specific information that I’ve posted on the Page that isn’t time-sensitive. For example, if I post a story specific to the Midwest for a national client on the Facebook Wall, I will turn around and send out an update that is targeted to the affected states. This practice assumes that Facebookers may eventually read the material, while also assuming that they also had a good chance of seeing it on the Page itself. Tip: If you choose to go this route with your Facebook Updates, be sure to include the states in the title, so your fans will realize the update pertains to them.

Next time you have time-sensitive material that requires action by your members or fans, turn to the Facebook Wall, Twitter, or your e-mail client instead of Facebook Udpates.

3 Responses to “Facebook Updates and Action Alerts”

1. Facebook Updates and Action Alerts- Majority Connections – The Facebook News says:

   August 27, 2009 at 11:46 am

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2. Twitter Trackbacks for Facebook Updates and Action Alerts- Majority Connections [majorityconnections.com] on Topsy.com says:

   August 28, 2009 at 9:41 pm

   [...] Facebook Updates and Action Alerts- Majority Connections majorityconnections.com/2009/08/27/facebook-updates-and-action-alerts – view page – cached #Majority Connections » Facebook Updates and Action Alerts Comments Feed Majority Connections 8 Tips for Building Effective Facebook Pages New Media Consulting and Training Sessions Majority Connections RSS Feed Majority Connections Atom Feed — From the page [...]
3. Facebook Updates Updated- Majority Connections says:

   September 10, 2009 at 11:40 am

   [...] two weeks after I wrote this post encouraging you not to rely on Facebook Page Updates to relay messages to your fans, Facebook has [...]