Are You A Facebook “LIKE” Exchange Victim?

I recently wandered into an Internet Marketing forum which seemed at first glance to be advanced. I was hoping to pick up some brilliance to bring back to you. Not so. While I did find a couple things I am going to write about, most was the same regurgitated blah blah blah.

The thread I chose to investigate was a “leave your Facebook page link” and this way everyone who reads this will leave their link and we all “like” each other. Sounds like a great idea. Not a new idea by any means as link exchanges and traffic exchanges have been around forever.

My problem here is that people all of a sudden forget that link and traffic exchanges are mostly crap. Why in the world would this be any different just because we are talking about Facebook?!

Link exchanges will ultimately lead you to bad neighborhoods and traffic exchanges generally convert, well NOTHING. So, did my research into “LIKE” exchanges show me they will work better? Nope. Let me give you my opinion first. I know that’s what you all wait for anyways. 🙂

Traffic VS. Meaningful Traffic

As far as I am concerned, anyone can get traffic to their website or blog. You can pay for it, seo for it, socialize for it, whatever. The end result is what is important. I don’t just want traffic to my blog, I want returning readers.

I want my readers to share my content, learn from me, vote, submit, like, etc…..whatever action is taken is a conversion. I don’t just need to sell something to have traffic convert. To me, a RT is a traffic conversion.

Traffic that hits here one time and never returns is useless. It does nothing for my rankings, my social proof, or ego for that matter. I am running a business and we all know that without “customers” businesses close. Blogs without readers shut down.

The Facebook “LIKE” Results

No mind blowing numbers here. Just a test I performed to see if I could get results. Out of 80 links placed by members of this community, I “liked” all 80. I then waited for my massive fan page liking to begin. *crickets chirping* Didn’t happen.

Of the 80 links (and still counting as more are being added everyday,) 9 people reciprocated The Friendly Blogger with a “LIKE.”  WHAT??!

I read the thread (that rhymes!) and almost every single person left their link and said, “I have liked all of your pages, here is mine.” Liar liar pants on fire. 🙂 Finally, a lot of the fan page links left were for, you guessed it, bad neighborhoods. Your fan page should build naturally as well. Sure,  most of your fans will be in your same niche, but the occasional off niche will like you too. This looks natural and genuine.

Let me also say, this is not some bogus IM forum, it is a highly respected networking site used by people in every field, every day. My problem once again, is that when dealing with Internet Marketing, there a lot of bogus claims and selfish weenies.I have un-liked most of the pages now and feel better about my page in general not being liked for the sake of a reciprocal like.

The Bottom Line

A colossal waste of time! My advice to you is DON’T DO IT.  There is no difference between link and traffic exchanges and the Facebook exchanges. It’s just a new medium. The arena may have changed, but the rules of the game have not. Do not get sucked into the allure of having tons of fans.

Fans are the same as traffic. You want fans who will add to your social proof by sharing on their walls, sending to their friends and possibly linking to your stuff. I personally want my Facebook fan page to bring in real visitors who convert into traffic for my blog. In order to do that, you need to self promote your links. But you need to do it in places that will provide results. You can start that process right here:

• Promote Your Business or Blog Here

Okay, let me hear it. Have you been a “LIKE” exchange victim? (ohh, I “LIKE” that term.)

Have you had any results from it…good or bad? Please share this with your fans, tweeps and readers…even strangers will work too!

*photo courtesy of luxury4play.com*