Special offer

How Facebook Helped Overthrow a Government - And why are you not using it?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Home Experts

 

Congratulations to the people of Egypt! We all are well aware of the recent history-making take down of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981 and has brought on a level of political corruption unfathomable to even today's standard. But how aware is everyone on Facebook's and Twitter's role in all of this?

Wael Ghonim is considered the modern day "V" (that's the character in the revolutionary movie V for Vendetta, a once anonymous freedom fighter and Google marketing exec. Yes, the power of the Internet is so paramount it is hard to even grasp at times. Wael claims to be nothing more than a voice. He credits the front line soldiers (the real protestors) to the successful resignation of Mubarak. I encourage all people (particularly those employed in marketing) to read the article "The Facebook Freedom Fighter" on Newsweek.com. If this much attention and recognition can be brought to overtake tyranny, imagine what it can do for you and your business!

I am amazed to still find people are not on facebook. I can understand people's hesitation with Twitter (though you have to get used to using it), but facebook is our people directory, our community, our voice, our connection to family and friends, our likes and dislikes, etc... Facebook is our life. As crazy and radical as this sounds, think of this:

Besides people and their bios, we have the following connections on Facebook:

  • Photo albums
  • Videos
  • Relationships
  • Businesses
  • Interests and hobbies
  • Suggestions
  • Ads
  • Causes
  • Product descriptions
  • Opinions

The list goes on and on. Facebook took every aspect of our lives virtual. The recent success in Egypt shows what Facebook is capable of achieving. I think this is an incredible story and an incredible lesson for all of us to understand and accept how we communicate in the future. I used to look for someone's web page when interested in a product. Now I Google and facebook. IN fact, I enjoy the facebook page more than most companies web page (since I can interact with other consumers of the product)! Once again, congratulations to all of the people who helped bring down Mubarak and congratulations to Facebook!

Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

It's amazing to think about the connections that have been made with Facebook that weren't possible only just a few years ago.

Feb 13, 2011 03:27 AM
John Saari
Worcester, MA
"The Mortgage Buddy"

Great post John. Social media is "revolutionizing" the world and if we embrace it correctly it will do the same for our business.

Feb 13, 2011 03:28 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Savvy post!   

Feb 13, 2011 03:40 AM
Chris Mayr
D3 Interactive Marketing - Orlando, FL

About a year ago I started prosteletizing (Spelling?) the importance of Facebook as a search mechanism and becoming the first interactive business and personal directory.  People laughed.

Everybody thought I was crazy but a few customer bought in and said, "I am not sure if you are right but you make a convincing argument."

People use Facebook as a way to research you, your business and the world around you.  

A new use that just popped up last night.  A person was at a client of mine's restaurant.  They posted that they had been there for 10 minutes without service.  The owner had facebook updates posting to her phone and found the user in the restaurant and got them service immediately.

Feb 13, 2011 05:55 AM
John Benson
RE/MAX Home Experts - Philadelphia, PA
Broker/Owner - Philadelphia Real Estate

Thanks everyone. I sometimes have to sit back and really evaluate how I am using facebook. As a consumer, foe example, I prefer the facebook business page to look at products. PLus, the business pages tend to provide up to date info in posts as compared to the company website. What I really like is the conversation and opinions I can view on the wall of the business page. I can see what others are saying as wel as interact with them. It's like being in the actual store. Pretty powerful stuff.

Feb 14, 2011 12:36 AM