This has got to stop

Yes, the subtitle of this blog is “Less Facebook, More Business,” but I found it interesting that Facebook has a group called This Has Got to Stop run by Evan Poteet of Hamilton Southeastern High School … (ahem) … class of ’09.

As of Jan 8, 2008, group has 497,779 members (myself included) and the following is written on the group’s Facebook home page:

I DON’T WANT TO BE A VAMPIRE

I DON’T WANT TO BE A PIRATE

LEAVE ME ALONE

POINTLESS FACEBOOK APPLICATIONS ARE RUINING FACEBOOK

I would extend that to include: pointless mini-applications are ruining social media.

Kinda like when you get the wrong set of neighbors moving in next door … everything just goes downhill.

The problems erupt when brands think they can buy their way into social media success and start to create pointless Facebook applications, meaningless advertising and unhelpful widgets. The blogosphere is simply overrun with corporations’ “throw money at it” flubs and ignorant “interactive” agencies’ attempts to help their clients “go viral.”

I can’t tell you how many calls we’ve fielded that start with the words, “We think we need a widget.”

It’s worse than social media bling — it’s social media Liberace. In the name of all that is right with social media, please cease the onslaught of social media accoutrements.

If you feel the urge to create yet another widget, stop!

Instead, redirect the time and energy to:

• Refine your social media strategy.
• Visit and post comments to other, complementary blogs.
• Examine your social media metrics.
• Develop an editorial calendar for your social media efforts.
• Work with a social media expert to make sure you’re getting it right.
• Just take a deep breath and chill.