Comments on: Facebook is for Kiddies, Right?

By: James Mulvey

James Mulvey — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:14:55 +0000

SHOW SOME respect for Bob Bly. He is a great teacher and awesome direct marketer. His question is sincere and he wants a real response–not “Facebook is popular and therefore why would anyone not want to be on Facebook????”

Stop slamming him just because he isn’t jumping on the bandwagon.

Bob, for me, Facebook is simply a way to kill some time. Most of my high-school friends are on there as well as new friends so I just see what they are up to. I will usually hear news on the site (for example, if someone has died, or if a friend is sick), as well as people will send me silly stuff like videos.

You should find some of your old friends on Facebook and then it will grow on you. But social media is over celebrated. In 5 years, people will look back and say: “Wow 2010 you are talking to each other on the internet, how modern of you. Get over yourselves.”

Facebook, Twitter, is only about connecting with people and sharing jokes, news, and things that interest you and your peers.

It is a way to kill time. It’s nothing new really.

Much respect,

james

By: Bob Bly

Bob Bly — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:48:30 +0000

Michael: It is surprisingly easy to find people offline — if you know how. Usually I can do it with a phone call or two. And what’s sad to me is the out-of-control sending of useless and irrelevant crap (bad jokes, video clips) back and forth via e-mail. It wastes both your time and the recipient’s. When I get one, I reply by asking the sender not to send me any more stuff.

By: Michael R. Bernstein

Michael R. Bernstein — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:17:05 +0000

“Do you know how much time I spend sharing photos and other life events with family and friends spread out across the country? None.”

How sad.

“And if I really want to reconnect with an old friend, I pick up the phone and call.”

That’s ridiculous. How would you find their current contact info (unless you’re assuming they’ve never moved)? Heck, if they’re female, how would you even necessarily know their current last name?

By: Bob Bly

Bob Bly — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:52:47 +0000

Kara: Do you know how much time I spend sharing photos and other life events with family and friends spread out across the country? None. If you’re busy and productive, you don’t have time for such nonsense. And if I really want to reconnect with an old friend, I pick up the phone and call.

By: Kara S

Kara S — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:42:47 +0000

@Bob – You put words in my mouth – I never said I spent time searching for old classmates. When you go through the sign-up process for Facebook (and I realize you chose to “review a product” without actually trying it for yourself, otherwise you would know what it’s all about), some of the information you have the option to provide is your alma mater. Then if there’s already an existing network for the school, your name is added to the list.

Kristi & Chad – I totally agree with you and why you use Facebook. With family and friends spread out across the country, it’s an easy, fast, convenient way to share photos and other life events with each other. Much more efficient than sending multiple emails and following up with all of them.

And I never said it takes energy to use Facebook.

By: @CoachDeb

@CoachDeb — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:34:55 +0000

I suppose b/c I consider myself a business consultant – NOT a “blogger” or new media nazi.

I am however very excited about how new media has given the SMALL business owner the opportunity to get big & get exposure on a very limited budget.

Where they might not be able to afford to do a direct mail piece – but they have no excuse not to get their name out on social networking sites, etc.

Think of these new media things as “free PR”. You can apply the same tag line from your book “Targeted Public Relations” “how to get thousands of dollars of free publicity for your product, service, organization or idea.

Does that help put it in a different perspective?

For me, I’ll reread your book on my shelf (now moved to my desk) and look at it w/ fresh eyes w/ all the cool new tools to be able to apply some of the strategies – just in a “different way” – or using a “different TOOL” b/c that’s all Blogging really is – a TOOL.

Personally – I think the companies who totally ignore OFFline marketing will not have the edge that a business will have if they do BOTH – online AND offline – in order to meet the most amount of people where THEY want to be reached.

Make more sense?
Does this help?

By: Bob Bly

Bob Bly — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:22:37 +0000

James: you don’t need to send it back. Just email your snail mail address to me at rwbly@bly.com and we’ll send the CD to you.

Alana: I am not afraid of change. But I am smart enough to spend my time and money on what gives me the greatest ROMD (return on marketing dollars) — not just on what’s hip and trendy.

By: James

James — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:30:59 +0000

Bob,

The sample that I received from you about three months ago had an audio cassette in it.

I would find it worth listening to, as I respect your knowledge, and I own a few of your books, but it’s been about 5 years since I used a cassette player.

I know you know your stuff, but the audio tape you sent me (3 months ago) kind of put me off.

If I send it back, can I get a CD… (another soon to be dated technology)

By: Alana Taylor

Alana Taylor — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:18:08 +0000

Old media used to be new media at some point. You’re just afraid of change, that’s all.

By: Bob Bly

Bob Bly — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:55:37 +0000

What bothers me most is the evangelical attitude of new media advocates. If you love all this stuff, fine. But why does Scoble feel the need to mock those of us who either are not interested in it or do not understand it? Why do blogging consultants attack those of us who have great success in — and make lots of money with — old media like direct mail, e-mail, and landing pages?