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Monday August 31, 2009 ~ 23 Comments
Needless to say, I was not pleased. I don't want "fans," I just wanted more friends. I have found great value in social networking, with Twitter and Facebook in particular. In the beginning I wasn't easily convinced that it would be worthwhile, but I have really enjoyed connecting with friends all over the world. Earlier this month I shared my dilemma - Facebook has a 5,000 "friend" limit, and I was maxed out. Of course, I realize that many of those friends are not people who know me personally, but I was using facebook as a means of broadly communicating with others and interacting around my Facebook "Wall" and "Notes." I have substantially more interaction on my Facebook wall than I do here on the blog. The options weren't great, and I wasn't really sure what I was going to do, but my publisher went ahead and created a Facebook "Fan Page" for me-- without asking. This allows for as many fans/friends as desire to connect, and so I am reluctantly moving all discussion from my personal Facebook page to my "fan page." For the record, I didn't make this move because I think "I'm kind of a big deal." Let's be honest, being a big deal on Facebook is sort of like being the Dungeonmaster in a game of Dungeons and Dragons. It really doesn't matter. This fan page is simply the best way to continue discussion on Facebook while allowing others to join in. And, all of my Twitter updates will now go there (and I have discontinued the feed on my personal page as that will soon go away). So, if you are "friend," and want to connect, you'll need to become a "fan." I know; I hate the word "fan," so let's not even use that. Let's just be friends on a different kind of page! I hope to see you there! P.S. If you do not get the pop-culture reference, "I'm kind of a big deal," please forgive my attempt at self-deprecating humor. I read about it in one of my many leather-bound books. ;-) Posted on August 31, 2009 at 7:58 AM ~ 23 Comments Tagged with: conversation, facebook, fan, megalomania, stetzer Subscribe via RSS or Follow us on Twitter
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Ed, I think the fan page is a great idea. I was on your friend page but only because I respect your work, not because we were friends. Not that I wouldn't want to be your friend but have only chatted with you a couple of times at conferences. We just can't grow a friendship like that. LOL.. But the fan page is not saying we are your fans as much as saying we are a fan of your ministry. I see nothing egotistical about that at all. Your ministry points us to God and that is what I am a fan of. So just keep pointing us to Him and providing great resources for the Kingdom and don't worry about Facebook's titles..they will fade away!
"I thought you were kidding. I thought it was a joke. I even wrote it down in my diary - Ed Stetzer had a very funny joke today. I laughed about it later that night."
Daniel,
Wow. Now that is an even more obscure cultural reference than mine!
Ed
When I logged onto the internet today and my "top sites" page showed a picture of Ron Burgundy displayed on your site, I thought to myself "I am DEFINITELY reading Ed's blog today." nicely done. :)
I also hear that your house smells of rich mahogany and that merle olson comes over on occasion.
Don't sweat it man, no one thinks this is an ego trip (now if I had a fan page on the other hand...). I think the main issue is that "I think Ed Stetzer is a good guy and I'm interesting in keeping track of what's going on in his world and hearing his insights on things because they are helpful and valuable to me"just doesn't have the same pithy pop as "fan" and makes for one huge button to click.
There is something to be said about your realizing that folks do want to follow your activity .. that they do want to interact with you .. that you were unhappy at the thought some might not be able to do that (even though, as you say, many of them are probably not personal friends) .. and that you are doing the personal fan page deal despite personal misgivings about it, or at least about its name.
I think it's all good things to be said, too. So thank you.
So this means I can't be president of the Ed Stetzer fan club? I've already started printing t-shirts. Aaaarrrrggggg!
It's nice to know facebook has created a standard for "celebrity" If you have less than 5000 people who "like" you, you're just common. But if you have more than 5000, your a celebrity. It gives me something to shoot for. (Gotta have goals in this life!!)
BTW, in your blog, when you were explaining why people can no longer be your friends, you should have added the, "It's not you, it's me." line. It works everytime.
I used to be a big deal but I had Gastric Bypass surgery and I lost 190lbs. Now I'm just a regular deal.
Ed, the question is fan or no fan??? Guess I'll take fan - cool :-) And it seems to me that it's better to be the "real deal" moreso than a "big deal". And I do know you and I think you are a "real deal" kinda guy in the Lord. Keep it real bro.
I'm Ed Stetzer?
Whats that you say? You ate a whole wheel of cheese?
We could all start "FAKE" Ed Stetzer pages and twitter accounts! :) Then flattery could go forever...
All the "Big Deals" have fake pages... what would the 'fake' Ed Stetzer say? Hmmmm...
Ed I will be your fan or friend or whatever you want to call it. I read your material your blogs and I learn how to be a better servant from a master servant. So call it a servant page if you want. I just want to keep learning and growing and if you can help me brother I will be there.
LOL, I'm happy to be your friend AND fan. Just don't let it go to your head ;)
I've been a "fan" a long time. This finally makes it official :-).
"Don't act like you're not impressed!"
haha! Fine with me Ed. I will gladly become a fan.
BTW Michael Hyatt just went thru a similar process, it looks like.
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/08/re-thinking-my-facebook-strategy.html
I think you think you are some kind of "big shot". I guess you are too big for your britches (well I suppose now you are to small for them) ;) Hey Ed! People know you. Don't sweat it!
Ed...All of us KNOW that you ARE a "BIG SHOT"...kind of like an "EX-PERT" (an "ex" is a has been and a "spert" is a drip under pressure)...Besides, with all the "experts" you run with at Lifeway (I.E. Mike Harland, Stan Lloyd, etc) you haven't much choice....(FOTFL - "falling on the floor laughing)...On a much more "SERIOUS" note; you do a great job...and personally, I think a fan page is better if it helps you accomplish your goal...I know I enjoy it....Blessings.
Thanks for the explanation. I thought it was a joke and wasn't going to respond. Sorry for your inconvenience.
They've done studies on these Facebook fan-pages, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
Everyone knows you're not a big deal unless Merlin Olsen comes over on occasion, anyway.
anchorman rocks and so do you!