Use Facebook Not Advertising

Companies still spend waste millions of dollars each year on advertising that’s ineffective, untargeted, and worst of all, ignored.

Instead of doing that, look at what the folks at IKEA did, using only existing technology on Facebook…and something you could implement too.

If you can’t see the video, click here.

What’s in the video

The video got taken down before, so I’m sharing a little more of an explanation for you now.

A new IKEA store was opening, so they created a profile for the store manager and uploaded 12 pictures of showrooms full of products.

They created a simple contest: The person that tagged their name on a product first won it, creating a greater demand for more picutres and buzz for all their friends. The store manager also engaged with folks who wrote on his wall, creating a more personal connection with the customers.

Naturally, the demand for more pictures grew as more people wanted to win more stuff, causing the pictures spread to thousands, via profile pages, the newsfeed, and links.

It got people to personally promote IKEA by adding themselves to a virtual IKEA catalog, that got shared with all the friends.

A new IKEA store was opening, so they created a profile for the store manager and uploaded 12 pictures of showrooms full of products.

Naturally, the demand for more pictures grew as more people wanted to win more stuff, causing the pictures spread to thousands, via profile pages, the newsfeed, and links.

It got people to personally promote IKEA by adding themselves to a virtual IKEA catalog, that got shared with all the friends.

So…What’s stopping you and your business from doing something this simple yet this effective?

Hat tip to @mitchjoel for sharing this video on Twitter.

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Tagged as: advertising, facebook

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How it should be done…marketing through Facebook | mattrutherfordDOTcom: November 28, 2009 at 1:43 am

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Todd Nilson November 29, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Inspiring use of Facebook, Phil. It’s sometimes so tempting to think about what kinds of *extra* functionality we’ll need in order to promote ourselves or our businesses via the social networks, but this is a great reminder that the basic functionality is pretty darned powerful in an of itself.

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Danielle December 4, 2009 at 10:04 pm

Hi Phil!

I’m so intrigued by the post title… but the video isn’t available anymore. Can you summarize what it was about, or tell me where I might find the video other than YouTube?

Thanks!
Danielle