Building My Facebook Page: The Struggle Between Quality and Click-Bait
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Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
For over a year now, I've managed a Facebook business page, aiming to enhance its capacity for outreach, connection, and engagement. However, the feedback I've received from my posts has revealed some unfortunate truths.
To provide context, I launched my Facebook page, The Coping Expert, in early November 2021, starting with a mere 13 followers. Fast forward to mid-May 2022, and that number has soared to over 7,600.
Like many, I have a vested interest in expanding my online presence and understanding what resonates with my audience. Let's analyze a few posts to see what captures people's attention.
On the evening of May 18, 2022, I published three posts around 7 PM.
After one hour, I checked the engagement levels. Which post do you think garnered the most interaction?
Post 1 received 8 likes with no comments or shares. Post 2 had 5 likes, also with no comments or shares. In contrast, Post 3 attracted 62 likes, 3 comments, and 17 shares.
This experience highlights why the internet is flooded with click-bait and memes: they are undeniably effective. This is just a mild illustration; I've witnessed far more striking examples of this phenomenon. Time and again, I observe that audiences gravitate towards content that is lighter, less profound, and often humorous.
Advice from a Friend
I sought guidance from a friend who manages two Facebook pages, one boasting over 70,000 followers and the other over 200,000. His recommendation? “Jim, post the snarky stuff. People LOVE sharing that!”
Regrettably, I've found this to be mostly accurate.
Recently, I shared my Facebook page with my adult son and his girlfriend. She instantly gravitated toward the funniest post and shared it. When I pointed out this trend to my son, he remarked, “Dad, people love memes; you gotta share the memes!”
Quality vs. Quantity
Is anyone genuinely concerned about the caliber of online content? If so, they might be getting precisely what they’ve asked for.
What have I gleaned from this experience? It’s disheartening to see quality content sometimes eclipsed by more superficial posts.
However, it’s crucial to remain authentic. Resist the temptation to alter your style or compromise your values for the sake of attracting more followers or viewers.
I strive to share thoughtful, inspiring, and helpful content. Yet, each time I post a meme or a sarcastic comment, the engagement skyrockets. The lure of taking shortcuts—by simply posting humorous memes rather than creating original content—can be strong, but that's not the path I wish to follow.
Maintaining Integrity
I am committed to keeping my Facebook page a respectful space. I don’t share provocative images or use inappropriate language. My platform is intended for sharing, healing, and personal growth; it’s a sanctuary for self-improvement.
While I do incorporate humor to lighten the mood, I ensure it carries a deeper lesson. For me, humor serves as a coping strategy, not merely a marketing gimmick.