Social Media Monday—How Facebook Changes for 2015 Could Affect Authors
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Facebook is making some fairly major changes in 2015.
I know, you’re shocked.
Beyond that reaction, many want to know how these Facebook changes could affect Authors.
Truthfully, this time the changes aren’t just an inconvenience. These changes are going to cost money—serious money. Those in the know have been warning that Facebook was going to have to make some changes and monetize the site to keep shareholders satisfied. Here’s how it started:
They began the process with business pages. They rolled out the edgerank algorithm and limited the number of followers who see any given post.
Then, at almost the same time, they began offering the option of paying to boost a post. This allowed significantly more followers to see the specific post.
In 2015, they are about to charge businesses a monthly fee to advertise on Facebook through business pages.
There will be a tiered program of set monthly charges rolled out in early next year.
That may not seem like it affects many people, but it does.Facebook is the one who decides what is classified as advertising and what isn’t. They will have very specific guidelines for what constitutes advertising.
Here’s what it includes for writers and authors:Updates about a new book release.Updates about a book launch and/or event.Updates about Rafflecopter and other giveaways.Here’s what it includes for conferences, writers groups, ministries etc:Updates that include dates and/or registration information.Updates about joining groups, amount of dues, etc.Here's what's not—for the moment—being considered advertising:
Updates about blogging articles that interest you and your connections.Updates that pose questions.Updates that share quotes.Updates that share cartoons and memes.Updates that ask for opinions. (This one may be cloudy, especially if the opinion solicited is in regard to a book cover. I just don't know.)I don't know which side (advertising or just social) sharing updates about someone else's book will fall. I suspect that at this point, they don't either.
The good news with this is small, but there is some:Facebook is beginning this process with brick and mortar businesses not individual accounts.Certified notification will be given if an account is found in violation of the new advertising guidelines.At this point, there is no retroactive billing.And since I’ve already ruined your day, here’s something else to put on your radar.
More Bad News:Google is looking at instituting the same restructuring. They are farther back, but the changes are in the works, so get ready.
No, I don’t yet know how this will affect Blogger and Google Plus. But I know that it will.
It’s never a good idea to put all our social media eggs in one basket, and these changes are an illustration of that.
I know this post doesn’t contain everything you want to know about the changes coming. But I thought it was more important to give you a heads-up, than it was to wait until we had all the details. As I learn more about these changes, I'll share them here first. So stay tuned for next week's post when I'll give you some suggestions on how to restructure your social media plan in regard to these changes.
But for today, be sure to share your thoughts and your questions in the comments section below. I’ll try to answer what I can and give you my best guess on the rest.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESImportant Facebook Changes in 2015. Get ready now - via #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The free ride w/ Facebook is over & Google isn't far behind - via #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Facebook is making some fairly major changes in 2015. I know, you’re shocked.
Beyond that reaction, many want to know how these Facebook changes could affect Authors.
Truthfully, this time the changes aren’t just an inconvenience. These changes are going to cost money—serious money. Those in the know have been warning that Facebook was going to have to make some changes and monetize the site to keep shareholders satisfied. Here’s how it started:
They began the process with business pages. They rolled out the edgerank algorithm and limited the number of followers who see any given post. Then, at almost the same time, they began offering the option of paying to boost a post. This allowed significantly more followers to see the specific post.
In 2015, they are about to charge businesses a monthly fee to advertise on Facebook through business pages.
There will be a tiered program of set monthly charges rolled out in early next year.
That may not seem like it affects many people, but it does.Facebook is the one who decides what is classified as advertising and what isn’t. They will have very specific guidelines for what constitutes advertising.
Here’s what it includes for writers and authors:Updates about a new book release.Updates about a book launch and/or event.Updates about Rafflecopter and other giveaways.Here’s what it includes for conferences, writers groups, ministries etc:Updates that include dates and/or registration information.Updates about joining groups, amount of dues, etc.Here's what's not—for the moment—being considered advertising:
Updates about blogging articles that interest you and your connections.Updates that pose questions.Updates that share quotes.Updates that share cartoons and memes.Updates that ask for opinions. (This one may be cloudy, especially if the opinion solicited is in regard to a book cover. I just don't know.)I don't know which side (advertising or just social) sharing updates about someone else's book will fall. I suspect that at this point, they don't either.
The good news with this is small, but there is some:Facebook is beginning this process with brick and mortar businesses not individual accounts.Certified notification will be given if an account is found in violation of the new advertising guidelines.At this point, there is no retroactive billing.And since I’ve already ruined your day, here’s something else to put on your radar.
More Bad News:Google is looking at instituting the same restructuring. They are farther back, but the changes are in the works, so get ready.
No, I don’t yet know how this will affect Blogger and Google Plus. But I know that it will.
It’s never a good idea to put all our social media eggs in one basket, and these changes are an illustration of that.
I know this post doesn’t contain everything you want to know about the changes coming. But I thought it was more important to give you a heads-up, than it was to wait until we had all the details. As I learn more about these changes, I'll share them here first. So stay tuned for next week's post when I'll give you some suggestions on how to restructure your social media plan in regard to these changes.
But for today, be sure to share your thoughts and your questions in the comments section below. I’ll try to answer what I can and give you my best guess on the rest.
Don’t forget to join the conversation!Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLESImportant Facebook Changes in 2015. Get ready now - via #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
The free ride w/ Facebook is over & Google isn't far behind - via #SocialMedia expert @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
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