Friend Vs. Client: The Facebook Fan Page Challenge

Aug 24th, 2009 Written By Cheryl Smith

become-a-fan What would you do? I recently received an invitation to become a Facebook fan of a friend’s new business, which just happens to be in direct competition with the business of a brand spanking new client.

I want my friend to succeed in his business. I’m excited for him because he’s following his passion. I can lend some muscle to his marketing efforts simply by becoming a fan. My acceptance would show up in the news feed of a lot of people. I can also suggest his fan page to other friends.

My new client, however, is in direct competition with my friend. This guy has been in business for a few years and is ready to take it to the next level. He’s asked me to help him with a marketing plan that includes some social media components. I’m looking forward to working with him and helping him grow his business.

If I accept my friend’s invitation, my new client will likely see and it could potentially negatively impact the trust relationship we have. If I don’t accept, my friend may wonder why I’m not supportive of his effort.

Social media provides us with great opportunities but it also presents us with a few challenges we’ve not ever had to navigate before.

What would you do? How would you approach this with your friend? With your new client?

http://www.joelslife.com Joel Smith

Cheryl that’s a tough one. I could argue both ways, but for the most part I would lean toward explaining to your friend why you can’t accept them as a FB friend. If they are really a friend, while it may be a difficult pill to swallow, they will probably understand.

For me personally, this is one of the reasons that I tend to make FB personal vs business based.

Hope my thoughts help.

Joel
http://RickWolff.com Rick Wolff

Maybe you could take this question to your client. Your candor would be appreciated. You could explain (for his benefit too) that “friend” and “fan” are initially Facebook software terms. Depending on the kind of industry, you could be a conduit for “coopetition”, finding ways of benefiting both companies at nobody’s expense.
http://blebon.blogspot.com Bruno

I think the best thing in these situations is to have 2 accounts: a personal one and a professional one. Btw, will your client spy on you on Facebook? dunno
http://www.nancyloo.net Nancy Loo

Accept if you are truly a friend and fan. Declining for the sake of a client makes it seem that you only value those who pay you. We live and operate in a sophisticated world. Just because we eat at McDonald’s one day doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy going to Wendy’s or Burger King, too! (I eat too many cheeseburgers.)
http://theworldismynetwork.com Paul Monaco

My quick response heavily influenced from my brick-n-mortar background is to openly support your original client as well as your (now) competitive friend.

Being in the food distribution business we service competing businesses regularly. Imagine if we only supplied to restaurants that weren’t competing with any of our other customers? We’d be out of business ourselves.

You did describe the newcomer as a friend rather then client but with your support that may change.

Support them both and as they flourish take pride in being the common denominator in both successes.
http://ChrisCree.TV Chris Cree

Cheryl,

You present this as a loyalty question, but I don’t think it really is. There is a great big difference between becoming a fan of a page on Facebook and working for a client. Surely your client can see that difference, even if you have to help ‘em by explaining the difference.

As a professional it is your responsibility to keep up with industry trends. Being a “fan” of a competitor of your client is one way to keep up on what they are doing. If your client was smart he’d become a fan too.

Oh, and I don’t really agree with the folks who advocate two Facebook profiles. Most entrepreneurs are too busy already and barely will set aside any time to keep up with one profile, much less two. A page for their business and a personal profile, sure. But I don’t think having more than 1 profile is really a good idea.
http://www.joelslife.com/ Joel Smith

Cheryl that's a tough one. I could argue both ways, but for the most part I would lean toward explaining to your friend why you can't accept them as a FB friend. If they are really a friend, while it may be a difficult pill to swallow, they will probably understand.

For me personally, this is one of the reasons that I tend to make FB personal vs business based.

Hope my thoughts help.

Joel
Asf713

Block our clients, and professional connections from seeing your wall

Friend Vs. Client: The Facebook Fan Page Challenge

The SImplify Journey

Latest Comments

Recent Posts

Tag Cloud

Pages