OMG. Where’s my Facebook Page!

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard a number of stories recounting folks who woke up to find their Facebook page had been disabled.  It you’re using Facebook for marketing your business, this could spell disaster.

• Continued prohibited behavior after receiving a warning or multiple warnings from Facebook
• Unsolicited contact with others for the purpose of harassment, advertising, promoting, dating, or other inappropriate conduct
• Use of a fake name
• Impersonation of a person or entity, or other misrepresentation of identity
• Posted content that violates Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (this includes any obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit photos, as well as any photos that depict graphic violence. We also remove content, photo or written, that threatens, intimidates, harasses, or brings unwanted attention or embarrassment to an individual or group of people)

Sometimes, however, its a bug.  Many of Facebook’s recent problems were caused by a bug.  Facebook has since identified and eliminated the bug that causes a “small percentage” of users, all women, to be disabled.  Maybe they need to get a flu shot so this doesn’t happen again.

Solutions for Facebook Disabling Your Business Marketing Page

First, Pay Careful Attention to Facebook’s Terms of Service.  Don’t violate these terms by spamming or inviting people you don’t know to be friends.  Don’t post the same link every 5 minutes.  Facebook is a social sharing site and Mark Zuckerberg is pretty adamant in his belief in the social graph as a way of describing our friends.  Don’ take this for granted.

Second, Don’t Panic. Sometimes, this is simply a mistake.  Even Guy Kawasaki (one of the big tunas of social media) had his Facebook disabled.  You should contact Facebook to determine the problem and they may turn your Business Facebook account back on again.  Most times, from the stories I’ve heard, the accounts are disabled temporarily then turned back on.

Third, Don’t Put all your Eggs in one Basket. Diversify —  this is good advice when it comes to social media even without the danger of losing your entire social media marketing strategy if Facebook disables your Business page.  Try to use each form of social media for what its best at.  I use LinkedIn as my primary social media because I focus mainly on B2B markets.  I use Facebook as a way to engage my friends — who are mainly other academics and social media folks.  I use Twitter as a microblog to post cool stuff I hear about social media and marketing.  I host an event called “Ask a Marketing Expert” every Friday on my open Facebook page.  I set up the event, invite Friends, and try to lure experts who have expertise in particular questions.  I use LinkedIn to connect with other social media, marketing, and academic types (because they are more generous in allowing me to make connections).  I invite LinkedIn connections to come to “Ask a Marketing Expert” of Facebook.  Many of them do and become friends.  This links my social media efforts to leverage my Twitter and blog posts.  And all this without spamming or inviting people I don’t know to be friends.  So far, the strategy is working great.

Finally, Remember Facebook won’t be around forever. The next great social media platform is probably already out there somewhere.  Keep your eyes open and maybe you can get in on the ground floor of that platform and ride it to the top.

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