If you’ve been on Facebook for any length of time then I’m sure that you have been a victim of Facebook spamming at one point or another. It is becoming quite an issue in the world of internet marketing due to the increasing popularity of the social networking giant.
For me, the spamming has started to drive me just a little crazy and I’d be willing to bet I’m not alone. So here is a list of a few things that I feel are spammy so that you can try to avoid it in your own marketing efforts.
1.) Pitching your business in a friend request
I don’t know how many people I’ve ignored over the past week or so because the first contact I had with them was to be pitched on their new business. When making a friend request, it should be about introducing yourself and putting your best foot forward. NOT shoving your business down someone’s throat. The whole point is to use Facebook to build relationships with other people.
If you were attending a party, you wouldn’t go up to someone new and say “Hi my name’s Angel and I think that you should join my new and amazing Hot Air Balloon MLM!” If you wouldn’t do this in real life what makes you think it’s a good idea online?
2.) Posting ads on other people’s walls
I realize that some people think that this is ok, however in my opinion it’s just annoying. I’m all for posting messages to the person or maybe even sharing a cool quote or article but only if that person wouldn’t mind you doing so. I think that the only time you should post blatant advertisements on a wall would be in certain groups that allow you to do so. Otherwise, keep all of your business related info on your own page.
3.) Abusing the chat feature
Recently, I made the decision to not show as online when I’m signed into my account because I was getting bombarded with business pitches. While there are a few people who actually use it to chat, most people only seem interested in using it to get you to join their new thing.
Since we are all primarily in the same internet marketing niche, if I was looking to join a new deal then I know where to find you. Otherwise, please stop pitching me on everything under the sun.
Thank you 
P.S. These are simply my own observations, no offense intended.
P.P.S. Feel free to leave me comments and let me know what you think and don’t forget to RT this post as well!
with all of the controversy over the Facebook changes and spam issues, this is a blog post that needs blasted throughout the Internet. Quite frankly, I am tired of having to sift through my Facebook to find value and have fun. Great post – ty!
Tampa SEO´s last blog ..Tampa Internet Marketing
I’m tired as well! Maybe it will catch on
Hey Angel,
I totally agree with you on this one.. I just think that those individuals don’t seem to get it yet.. Facebook is for building relationships, providing value, service to others etc.. Who knows what kind of relationships will rise from out those new friends on FB.. I have learned so many great people on FB who also have become my business partners..
But let’s not forget that we are here and we DO understand. So we can help others to see the true potential of Facebook and stop them from spamming.
~ Farzad
Farzad Taghavi´s last blog ..Top 15 Ways to Build Your Subscriber List
I’ve met some truly amazing people on facebook. Some have become business partners but there are plenty of them that simply became good friends. Both are fine by me
Thanks for stopping by Farzad!
Angel,
This post is HILARIOUS in that for everyone one of your examples of spamming I am sure that it has happened to me at a minimum of 10 times each already.
I think what most spammers forget is that even if their opportunity was so great then why in the world would we join them? If they haven’t developed the basic skills of Attraction Based Marketing what do THEY have to offer us?
Any reasonable person would just run a search on the company and then join whichever leader was the strongest at that point.
Keep up the great work Angel since I really do love to come here and experience all of the great value you have to offer.
To Our Massive Success,
John Chatman
Attraction Marketing Strategist
John Chatman´s last blog ..What Is Your Internal Thermostat?
EXACTLY John! What makes them think that I would join them after they have been spamming me about their business? I’ll never understand it. Thanks for stopping by
Your comments are always appreciated.
Well said, Angel. In fact, I wrote about this just recently, because someone who I “unfriended” after spamming me just hours after his friend request was accepted, was so incensed that he wrote me a scathing private message.
I tend to look at things like spamming immediately after a friend request, which tells me the only reason they want to befriend me is to pitch me. Also, I look for other signs, like no picture (or a fake picture), a business/product/website name as their profile name, or constant requests like group/event invites, etc.
If you’re interested (and please delete this if you feel it’s inappropriate), but here’s my blog post I’m talking about:
“The Facebook Fake Friend Fallout”
http://bit.ly/aDL30F
Thanks again for a great post.
Michel Fortin´s last blog ..How to Become a Recognized Authority
I had someone who freaked out on me after I unfriended them for spamming as well. They decided it was ok to say some pretty nasty things about me on twitter yet they were the one that was constantly spamming my inbox and wall. Some people simply will not learn.
I really enjoyed your Facebook post so thank you for including it. I’m sure my readers will enjoy it as well! It’s a pleasure to see you here and you’re welcome anytime
Agreed. It’s this sense of entitlement people have, which I talked about when I posted about Twitter and its really bad autofollow process. That is, people who expect a follow-back only to spam me, or to usurp free advice/service, and blame me for being discourteous when I don’t follow back.
I don’t mind helping friends. But your personal profile (just like your blog) are not democracies. They are yours. And you have every right to protect your turf — and your friends, too — just like anyone else.
In other words, if that person posted such nasty things about you just because you “took away” their privilege of spamming your friends (because posting on your wall for YOUR friends to see is spamming not just you but your friends, too), then it proves just how much of a friend they were — or were trying to be.
Yes, a friend indeed. Thanks, but no thanks. Friends like those we can do without.
Michel Fortin´s last blog ..The Facebook Fake Friend Fallout
I completely agree about them not being democracies. We all have the right to delete items or people that are posting things that we don’t approve of. So they can get indignant if they want, doesn’t bother me in the least.
Great Article Angel. I posted a followup on my blog cause this is one of those “spread the word” type issues.
torian´s last blog ..How to use Facebook to Ruin Friendships and Annoy Friends
Thanks so much for the shoutout Torian
It’s much appreciated and I’m glad that you enjoyed my post.
Facebook Spam is getting old now. I personally get tired of all the direct messages that start with “Hello” and then the great line…. “have you heard of….”
Great Post Angel..
Jeff Mitchell´s last blog ..Mark Hoverson Review – The Biggest Name In The Attraction Marketing Game
I get tired of them too. I used to respond to them but now I just delete them and move on.
Hey Angel,
Great Post, I think this a good post, and funny at the same time, because I see it everyday. I like the one were people now are just sending you a message with Youtube link only and nothing else.
Look forward to more post.
Thanks,
Joey McDermott´s last blog ..4 Simple Steps to Recruit your Prospect Part 1
Yea I’ve been getting a lot of those, but I think they may be viruses that has infected someone’s account.
I agree 100%–there are ways to stop the spammers–you can unfriend them for sure. I have had some folks ask for money…I have no problem reporting those folks. Thanks for some great tips
I’ve gotten people ask me for money as well. I had one guy that started going through my friends list and asking them for money too. He got unfriended
Angel, you have definitely hit the nail on the head here!
I also ignore countless friend requests who vomit their biz opp on me before we’ve even said hello!
And there are still those who just don’t get the whole ‘social’ part of social media, despite endless reminders and unfriending.
But with posts like this, we’ll hopefully get the word out and be able to turn our FB chat back on again LOL
Bliss and blessings,
The goddess known as Jacqui
Jacqueline Gates´s last blog ..The Goddess Guide to Finding your Purpose
Yes, for some reason, people completely forget the “social” part. Maybe they will catch on one of these days.
I couldn’t agree more. A true leader doesn’t need to be pitching there business all over the place. It really is about building a relationship , that’s why it social media. I think its just that when people don’t see each other they forget to use proper etiquette.
Althea Martin´s last blog ..What’s New with Carbon Copy Pro?
It could be that lack of physical connection that enables people to completely forget their manners. I think sometimes social media is making everyone just a little less social.
Hey Angel,
Awesome Post – Thanks for the advice. You didn’t have to leave me hanging though! What plugin is that social sharing feature you have at the bottom of each blog post. I have two plugins but neither one are as “pretty” as that one!
God Bless, Curt
Curt Bizelli´s last blog ..Get Creative with Your Niche Marketing & Personal Branding!
Hey Curt,
Sorry about that! I received a phone call and got sidetracked. As for the plugin, I think you’re referring to the one I’m using called SexyBookmarks. I’m also using the Onlywire plugin as well.
Hey Angel,
How did you get those trackbacks to appear separately like that? I’ve been denying them on my blog simply because they would show up in the comment section.
`CURT
Curt Bizelli´s last blog ..Get Creative with Your Niche Marketing & Personal Branding!
I have no idea lol. It’s just a feature of my template, sorry.
Thanks Angel. It was in fact the Sexy Bookmarks I was referring to. I also installed CommentLuv. Not sure if its working yet or not though.
Curt Bizelli´s last blog ..Get Creative with Your Niche Marketing & Personal Branding!
I love this article Angel and agree with it 100%. I have deleted friends for spamming as well. My real friends don’t pitch an opportunity or invite me to their 200 different games they play everyday. Real friends communicate with me and share real ideas.
I agree with Lea… this post needs to be blasted all over the internet.
Stephane Therrien´s last blog ..What An Article Marketing Writer Needs to Know
I’m so tired of Mafia Wars and Farmville I don’t know what to do!
Love the post – we are so overwhelmed by spam, it’s not even funny. Yet spammer somehow think they are entitled to it.
Ana/YourNetBiz Training
Ana YourNetBiz´s last blog ..YourNetBiz Mentor Ana Hoffman: Guru-ness Not Required to Find YOURNetBiz Success
Can’t stand the spamming. It’s the reason I no longer spend much time on FB
Great post Angel! I haven’t used the chat feature in almost 6 months now. The people that pitch me in a friend request are the last to get accepted. I must say that I rarely get people pitching on my wall because I tell them not too when I accept their friend request. Stop the Spam!
Christine McIvor´s last blog ..Organic Search Engine Optimization
Very timely – very accurate! Angel, you’re an angel for sharing this info! I would sometimes cringe when I accepted a friend because I was afraid they were keeping the floodgates closed until the moment they get the notification that I’d accepted them.
Then they’d unleash the puke!
But, that’s subsiding. Now, I just take in in stride.. keep them as a friend and hopefully the content of people like you, and Edward, and Nancy, and the list goes on… will rub off on them. coz their barf doesn’t rub off on me.
Keep up the awesome content!
Paul Klaszus´s last blog ..The Hardest Work We Will Ever Do
It reminds me of the story in the Bible that talks about the sowing of the seed in the field. In the same field both the good plants and the weeds grew up side by side. It seems all of social media is kind of like this. There are some great aspects and then there are always those people who are simply out to spew their stuff all over all of us.
Marketing on facebook and twitter etc… is so much more about building solid relationships than simply “advertising” your opportunity or product online. I never do business without some sort of trust being established first…I don’t know why some people find that concept so hard to grasp but instead just try to bully their way into my space.
I don’t like it either.
Thanks for the great post!
Wow these are some very good tips you have here Angel! Thank you for sharing these with us. Today it is important not to spam your business name over the internet, because your business can be severely punished by this.
Josh´s last blog ..Your MLM Downline
Thanks for saying what a lot of people feel. I teach direct sellers how to be successful working from home. I am happy with my business and have great services for work at home businesses. Yet, I get SO sick of constantly being solicited for business opportunities. Even via phone, many direct sale professionals, (actually, I guess that is the point that all are not professional) call up and spam me with recorded messages about their opp and go to their website. Who on earth would sign up for a bus opp from a recorded message!!?? Thanks, I included the article in the blog carnival this month at the http://www.BestBlogReview.com
Deb Bixler´s last blog ..Over 100 Entries = Direct Sales Sweepstakes
Thanks Angel…..great stuff here. We do need to treasure FB and not abuse our friends there.
Bill Cowan´s last blog ..Self Help Books to Get You There
Hey Angel,
Great post, the chat box drives me NUTS! So much I hide when I’m on. BUT it can be effective when done right.
Awesome post, keep it coming!
Ryan Yokome´s last blog ..How To Overcome An Over Promising and Under Delivering Downline!
Angel,
Thanks for giving the forum for us to express here with you.
RIGHT ON!!! On points 1, 2, and 3 – agree, agree, agree…concur, concur, concur. I am using some of the same “hide in chat” strategies. Did you know there are some MLM companies actually training their distributors to stalk people in chat. I call it stalking, they call it “prospecting”. I’m amazed that so many MlM leaders do not get the fact that the industry is about relationships, building the relationship first, providing value to the individual and then when the time is right, introducing them to the opportunity. OK, I’ll get off my soap box now.
Krista
Angel – Thank you for saying what we are all thinking and getting tire of! I am totally with you – if I wanted to join something I would let THEM know! Great post!
Glyna Humm´s last blog ..My New Favorite Timesaving Toolbar!
Hey Angel,
Great post. I have lived through these exact same points in my journey.
I can totally relate to them. I strive to treat all of the people I meet (Spammers or not) in the same way I want to be treated.
Thanks again.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
Hello Angel,
A great article. Here is my favorite quote in the article:
“I don’t know how many people I’ve ignored over the past week or so because the first contact I had with them was to be pitched on their new business. When making a friend request, it should be about introducing yourself and putting your best foot forward. NOT shoving your business down someone’s throat.”
Keep up the good work and glad to have you as my friend in Facebook and the “TSA” Tribe.
To your success and have a fantastic day!
Always great information when your talking facebook.
Love to hear the skills you posess with connecting with people and showing yourself to be a true leader.
Andrew Gallagher´s last blog ..Awareness Of The Simple And Successful Characteristics Of An Entrepreneur.
I love this post, Angel! What spammers don’t realize it that any leads they get from this method are low quality. High quality partners seldom, if ever, respond positively.
Teresa Ivory´s last blog ..Confidence: Another Gift from My Dad
Great post. I agree so with all your examples. I would like to add those people who invite you to their event every week! Even though you don’t want to be bothered with the event.The invitation is there every week. Or another one that happened this week. I am not sure what it is for, but this person send me half a dozen personal messages asking me to vote for her in some kind of contest. I unfriended her right away.
karin´s last blog ..Unlimited traffic to your website from comments – is your blog setup properly?
Sorry Angel, forgot to tell you that you should read my blog post from this week. You have a nice comment system installed, but all the links are no-follow, so having the latest blog post mentioned is totally useless. You can simply overcome this by installing a “no no-follow” plugin.
karin´s last blog ..Unlimited traffic to your website from comments – is your blog setup properly?
Such a very good article and very timely as well.
Clint White´s last blog ..Phone Etiquette For Your MLM Business
Nobody wants spam.There is a new person I just befriended on Facebook that I just hid from view because all I see from her is stuff about her MLM.My message box is slammed from pitches too.Every now and then is okay but not so much please. Great post.
Beverly Monical´s last blog ..Interview With Perry Lawrence aka Ask Mr Video
Hi Angel,
Yep. I’m one of the ones who finds this totally annoying. I can’t imagine they really get very far either. I really like how you related it to spamming someone at a party right when you meet them. Not cool.
Thanks again for sharing.
Debbie Stevens´s last blog ..Why I Love What I Do
Angel, you go girl. I agree, yes we all want to make money, but please take it easy in the social sites. Selling is only communicating . Don’t just speak at someone but develop a relationship. That way they could enjoy buying more and not just be a one time buyer so you’ll leave.
David Solomon´s last blog ..Continuity Programs for the Company Owner
Hi Angel,
Thanks for this. Always good to hear common-sense guidelines. Much appreciated.
Alan
Alan Eames´s last blog ..Residual Income
Timely words!! There is soooo much spamming going on. Nice to have someone SPEAK oUt against it!! Keep it up!
Christel Klaszus´s last blog ..WHATCHA gonna do?
Great Post! You have hit the nail on the head here. I hate the spam and have seriously thought about blocking these people.
Bill