Whenever I get a comment on one of my Facebook business page posts, I like it. This is a practice I’ve only recently implemented, in part because of continuing to think about the value of a like on Facebook. I’ve realized that one of the ways I can improve interaction on my business page and improve the value of a like is to like the comments that people write in response to my posts. By liking their comments I am acknowledging their effort and telling them I want more interaction. I’m also rewarding them, in a way and people like being rewarded.
In fact, that’s why you should like comments people make to your Facebook page, because when you do, you are telling that person that you approve of their message and encouraging them to respond more frequently as a result. You may even encourage reciprocal likes of your responses, because the person will want to give something back because you acknowledged him/her. In other words, liking a comment doesn’t just signify approval, but actually can be a call for action, and create a reciprocal exchange.
What’s the value for a business? Liking a comment prompts a response from someone, but it also enhances the relationship you are building with your community. It tells your community or customers that you value their input and you’ll take time to respond to them and like their response to show your approval. It’s subtle, in terms of helping your business, but it’s also relatively simple because liking a comment plays on a person’s desire to feel that s/he is important and empowered. And of course the person should be important to you and empowered to speak up. That’s how you create advocates for your business…and liking a comment is part of that process. So don’t just respond…like the responses you’ve gotten. You’ll encourage more interaction on your business page and with your business as a result.
Book Reviews
City: Rediscovering the Center (Affiliate Link) by William Whyte
In my opinion, part of being a successful business owner is learning about how your business is impacted by different influences. In City, Whyte discusses urban renewal and development and what is effective vs ineffective urban development as well as the impact it has on businesses. I learned a lot from this book and was able to apply some of it to a recent class on leadership that dealt with economic development. Economic development is definitely tied into urban development. This book explains a lot of that and also provides insights into the social life on the streets of any city.
5 out of 5.
Linked (affiliate link) by Albert-Laszlo Barabasi
Linked explores how networks are formed across a variety of perspectives ranging from urban development to in-person networking to the internet. I must admit, I’d be fascinated to see what the author would say about social networks, but this book was written before they were developed. With that said, this book provides some fascinating information on how networks are formed and maintained as well as giving some consideration on how people can understand and work with networks better. It’s a useful book for anyone to read because it will help you understand what networking really is and what it could be.
4 out of 5.
