6 tips to stop your Facebook marketing turning into Spambook

I remember about three years ago, when Facebook seemed like an exciting, vibrant, and fun place to be – as well as being one of the few social networking places where genuine social media engagement could definitively provide ROI on many levels. In the last few months, however, marketing by some on Facebook has reduced it to nothing more than a virtual Spambook. Endless Group, Page and Event invites and ‘Like’ requests, a plethora of meaningless ‘inspirational’ quotes and pictures clogging up the Home feed, direct messages almost begging for support and advocacy. And this is from virtual strangers, not solid connections. The endless spam has grown unabated, or so it seems. Spending time attempting meaningful social media engagement on Facebook should come with a Government Health Warning, judging from the sheer volume and noise of broadcasting evident at times. There are a few gems, but these are too easily lost in the overwhelming rush of 'Like Me, Buy Me, Support Me' for no viable reasons other than being on Facebook seems to give some a green light to entertain spamming on a massive scale. Well, if you’re also finding time on Facebook trickier to deliver meaningful social media engagement, or if you’re one of the perpetual shouters turning Facebook into Spambook, here are my top 6 tips to put some soul back into social on Facebook: * Be empathetic Consider this – if you wouldn’t like to receive the content, why spam others with it? Simple really. Try and empathise with your Facebook network and give them pieces of social media content which are useful, informative, and entertaining. * Be engaged Consider this – if you’re spamming your Facebook network, how engaged are you with them? Not at all, of course. Try and engage with the key influencers in your Facebook network, take time to help them, listen to their problems and provide solutions. * Be inspiring Consider this – if you’re pumping out generic messages of little inspirational value (the rent-a-quotes and ‘be the best’ are the worst) where is the actual value for your Facebook network? It’s simply adding to the white noise. * Be real Consider this – if you’re always painfully upbeat, over-the-top positive, and two-dimensional, where’s the reality in your Facebook marketing? Why not try being real, and sharing genuine thoughts, insights, business expertise and items of individuality instead. * Be receptive Consider this – with so many broadcaster on Facebook, it’s the thoughtful, listening, receptive folk who are winning the attention and getting their social media content passed throughout the platform. Try giving more than you take with your Facebook time. * Be attractive Consider this – if you’re posting strong, positive, useful social media content consistently via your Facebook marketing, your social media engagement there will reap rewards. Remember, it’s social. This means, ideally, attraction not promotion. Try it and see.