The ABA on Facebook

[Pathfinders]

I thought I would let you all know that I created a “Page” for the ABA on Facebook. See it here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Bantam-Association/54295239068

And if you’re not on Facebook yet, I encourage you to join!

Cheers,

Laura

[Patrick]

Someone please help me to understand, because I just don't get the point. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up with computers, although I'm not that old either, but doesn't ABA already have an online presence, a website? Can't you contact anyone at ABA already through that, and get any information that you need? Why the redundancy? There's got to be more to it than I can comprehend, than just the desire to go through a popular venue, rather than an "old fashioned" website, however passe? Is there an actual purpose, a benefit of going through facebook, that we don't already have with the conventional website?

[robin416]

FaceBook and MySpace are so popular with the younger generation they are more likely to stumble across the existence of the ABA through one of those sites.

I only learned of the ABA's existence through some friends, I didn't know to go looking for a website for an organization I was unaware of. This opens the door to another avenue to its existence.

[Bob308]

My first reaction was the same as Patrick's, I was puzzled and was going to call one of my 20 something sons to explain it to me. But then I got to thinking like Robin and feel what the heck, it is still advertising and to the crowd that we want to encourage. It doesn't cost anything-right? So why not?
Us that are older can Google- the younger crowd can Facebook.

[Glenda L Heywood]

thanks

[Evy]

does this not take yahoo accounts?
you can email me privately at
frizzlebird5@yahoo.com
Glenda L Heywood

Some sites don't take free accounts like hotmail or yahoo.

[7961]

Facebook does allow you to bring exposure to things. To use Facebook as a way to bring publicity to the fancy I feel is a rather good idea. It can't hurt. From what I see by no means is it geared just towards a "younger" audience. I am 32 and still would still prefer primary electronic communication with email. I am fairly new with facebook and still do not have the hang of it all.

[Pathfinders]

Hi Folks,

For those of you not using any social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter, I should probably explain the benefits (although Robin did put it in a nutshell.)

Yes, the ABA has a wonderful website, but it's rather static, if you will, not at all interactive. And yes we have the wonderful ABA Message Forum where we can chat, (thanks Matt!) And a Facebook "page" for the ABA is another way for ABA members to interact with each other more (when we're not at shows), upload photos or videos of their birds if they like, hold discussions (and yes, they can do that in other places on the Internet), and otherwise mingle online. And oh yes, it's absolutely free!

Part of the reason I did this was that Facebook is growing rapidly, and many brands of all sorts (products, non-profits, artists, etc.) are moving to establish a presence there. Not everyone knows about this site, not everyone knows about the ABA website. But lots of people know about Facebook, and those who use Facebook frequently seek out pages and groups like this.

As well, as Robin states, Facebook is a common way for young people to find new information about groups like the ABA that they might not otherwise find. Perhaps a friend of theirs is a member, which they can see on their friend's Facebook page. That might encourage them to become a member too, which is never a bad thing.

Frankly, I couldn't see a downside, and could see a number of benefits. Of course, no one is required to join either Facebook or the ABA page on it, it's just an added way for members to mingle and communicate, which I thought would be a good thing.

Laura

p.s. Those of you on Facebook can find me there using "Laura Wamelink Haggarty" in the search. Happy to "friend" you!