Scratching my head about the Wal Mart group
I’m finding that Twitter is not a replacement for blogging. It’s more like an incubator, where ideas get to slosh around a bit in the petri dish of the internet before becoming full-fledged blog posts.
Which is probably why Jeremiah’s twitter this morning is at the root of this post (as well as his own, excellent post on Web-Strategist):
Wow the Walmart group in Facebook
continues to get rejected and trashed http://tinyurl.com/2zsob3
He’s right, of course, it is getting trashed. Out of curiosity, I clicked through to check out the group - after all, if Wal Mart is doing something big and clumsy in Facebook, I ought to know about it so I can properly make fun of them.
The thing is, I really don’t think the group is that bad. I mean, it’s not great - there’s not a whole lot of value to be had from the fact that it’s a Facebook group, but it could be a lot worse. They’ve got a cool list of tips on keeping off the Freshman 15 (doesn’t matter - you gain them regardless), some obligatory links to their products (which are relevant to incoming freshmen), and a slick little “room setup” tool/thingy.
They don’t have a message board, which I think is a ridiculous oversight, since this is a group, after all (where can they interact? just the wall…), but I don’t think that having a message board would necessarily change the tone of the wall posts in the group.
“Its hip and chic to hate Wal-Mart,” says one wall poster - but if that’s the case, is there anything Wal Mart could do help themselves out?
What do you think? Why is Wal Mart failing so horribly in Facebook?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Wal-Mart is doing poorly on Facebook because it’s just not cool for a college kid to have any kind of affinity with the brand. It’s like publicly bragging about a connection with Hanes underwear or Union 76 gasoline. Who wants those kind of brands in their friendspace?
The only FB Wal-Mart proponents seem to be in the southern states, and mostly because they appear to see an attack on Wal-Mart as an attack on Ol’ Dixie and Amurkun Valeews.
Wal-Mart’s group sponsorship isn’t much different than what other brands are doing online, but because it’s one of the first on FB, we’re all picking the effort apart. It’s not the most progressive effort ever, but certainly not the worst.
That’s the joy of Twitter. It’s a great diversion, but yet makes one think. And despite what people think - there is interaction there. Jeremiah is the one usually doing the inspiring, so it’s cool to see my tweet inspired him!
@Jason I’m Connie_Bensen there if you or anyone wants to follow. I will follow back.
Thanks for sharing, I’m gonna pop along again. I already follow jowyang and enjoy his suggestions.
Chris Hambly
@audio
@Connie followed!
also, notice how everyone has adopted the “@name” twitter-style grammar for blogs and commenting? That will be solved with threaded comments, of course…
@Eric, I think you’re largely correct, (although, joke or no joke, I’d hesitate to be so flippant about the people defending Wal Mart. There are some valid points to be made.) I’m trying to think of a scenario where Wal Mart can get past the general feeling of resentment I know exists on college campuses…
I commented on Jeremiah’s interesting blog regarding Wal-Mart’s online presence in the social media network Facebook. Jeremiah’s inclusion of Facebook comments in his blog resembled throwing pebbles at a giant. This reveals the disconnect between the packed parking lots of Wal-Mart, and actual respect for the company.
I piped in on Jermiah’s blog that a “single mom” should be the voice to start a constructive conversation that would enhance Wal-Mart’s presence online. Thoughtfully, Carol Benson of Digiscrapinfo.com, was gracious and agreed with me on the “female” aspect of a favorable voice for Walmart. However, I still hold onto my original thought, “Single Mom”. Afterall, a “single mom” is still “all woman” but has added responsbilities, (some) self-sacrificing, and usually has to pay a whole lot of attention to what she buys and how much she spends.
My opinion is that Wal-Mart should choose not a SINGLE single-mom, but several single-moms. Stores are crammed with diversity. Ethnically and class wise. Lower, Middle, and Upper Class all spend money inside the great walls of Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart wants to be successful in Facebook, it should have “many faces”.
With poverty levels as such, single mothers and fathers, (I hate to discriminate) are individuals that benenfit the most when it comes to economizing. At Christmas, the Wal-Mart Toy Flyers are treasured by struggling single parents. The aisles are crowded with frugal families who want an FAO Schwarz holiday for their children, but need to be able to pay their rent or mortgage 6 days after the event. Wal-Mart does keep the holiday affordable, so customers will hopefully have a Happy New Year!
With that said, there is also those who are not confined to a budget, but enjoy the thrill of the hunt for a great bargain during the holidays. Those “well-to-do’s” go to Wal-Mart, too!
There are children’s school items, crafts, electronics, music, movies, household products, pet supplies, clothes…the list goes on and on. There are budget priced necessities and affordable dreams in the Wal-Mart. Focusing on the positive is supposed to make everything “better”, right?
Wal-Mart should hire someone, (my vote is still for the single-mom) who knows how to start a conversation about “getting by” or even “getting ahead” by shopping at Wal-Mart.
As much as some love to hate Wal-Mart, constructive conversations can be had about the good, the bad and the ugly of the company that will benefit not only the company, but the consumers as well.
Whoops! Please correct my mistake, I typed Carol instead of Connie comment. My apologies!
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