There is an unsettling buzz about the future of Facebook. Some analysts report that Facebook usage is declining , or at least  slowing in some parts of the world  and if that is true, it is a problem of Facebook’s own making. The Facebook is foremost a place to connect with family and friends. Secondarily, Facebook provides a place for self-expression. Yet, for some years, Facebook has failed to effectively innovate on any of these fronts! As Facebook has moved through its IPO, it has increasingly lost focus on serving its primary customers. MORE >>

How to Become Powerful On Facebook from Mark Schaefer. wanted to let you all know that I’ve created a cool new eBook for you called “The Be-Attitudes: Creating Influence on Facebook.” Related Stories A plan to challenge the Facebook monopoly Dear Facebook. The Business Case for Buying Facebook Likes What’s next for Klout? eBooks facebook Power and influence on the web book on facebook facebook ebook facebook for business Facebook marketing facebook strategy 'The Be-Attitudes. MORE >>

My friend Mark Schaefer wrote a provocative piece in this very space yesterday about why Facebook will become the most dangerous company on earth. One of Mark’s central observations — that a public company must find ways to grow, and Facebook’s only path to do that is through you and me — was particularly insightful and, for some, alarming. I’ve been studying Facebook for five years as a researcher, and after seeing our most recent data on social media behaviors I can tell you this:  It’s scarier than you think. And by Facebook. MORE >>

Why does every social media strategy seemingly start with a company cajoling people to come “like” their Facebook page? In the “objectives” section, every  single organization stated something like this: “Our goal is to enter the conversation with our customers and engage with them on our Facebook page.” ” If the true goal is customer connection, why does it have to start on your own Facebook page? Do you ever connect with your customers on their home base Facebook page, blog, or LinkedIn account? Tweet. MORE >>

Facebook is going to become a publicly-traded company. The pressure of “public” The entire tone of Facebook and its strategy is about to change in ways that I believe could portend desperation and disaster. Maybe it will will take a few months, maybe it will take a year or more, but inevitably the marching orders of Facebook executives will be determined by this constant drumbeat of “more, higher, faster.” ” Now, what is the source of Facebook’s growing revenues? At least in the near term, Facebook’s prospects seem bright. MORE >>