I came across this comic the other day and I thought enough of it to share on my neglected blog:
In case you aren't part of Facebook (seriously?) I will give you a quick update. About a week ago Facebook was flooded with status's from people freaking out about new costs for the service. Hundreds of thousands of people regurgitated rumors that they had heard citing all sorts of new pricing. One claimed a flat fee of $9.99 per month, while others claimed different levels of subscription, i.e. Gold Memebers $20 a month and Silver Members $15 a month. I could go on about the different scenarios but I think you get the idea. I just thought it was interesting that all this craziness started, considering that right there on the front page of Facebook is a statement that says, "It's Free and always will be."
Yes, I realize people, and websites in this case, can go back on what they've promised. However, this will never be the case with Facebook and here is why:
If Facebook started charging money for its services, they would lose me as a frequenter of their website. I like Facebook and I utilize its tools when I can, including super sweet status updates that amaze my friends and make them think I am cool. However, I am not so crazy about it that I am willing to spend more than a penny to have access to it on a daily basis. Just by losing me (1 infinitesimal portion of their vast network,) they lose access to any/all future information that I am going to provide them with. Forget your current info, they already have that, no turning back, the internet has it FOREVER. Like any person though, my tastes change and I could start listening to a new band or claim in a status update that I "Just went into Bed Bath and Beyond for the first time and it was AMAAAAZING!) Facebook uses these keywords and sure enough, the next day, I would have a recommendation on the side bar to buy the new song from a band or some great deal on soap at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Facebook loses that opportunity to advertise to me and suddenly maybe BB and B doesn't want to spend quite as much on advertising because now one less person is seeing their ad.
This all ties back to the ad. Facebook doesn't need to sell TO you, you are already in, they need to sell YOU. Your value isn't in the $9.99 a month that they would charge, it's in the millions of dollars in ad revenue that you provide. You are the product. Don't get mad, be happy that you are being shopped around like some prize to be won. Advertisers want your eyes on their product, and darnit, you are going to give it to them by ignoring what they have to say and playing Farmville instead.
Conor
