Changes Around This Joint

I started this blog in 2010. It would be fair to say that I’ve grown a lot. I’ve certainly experienced a lot of things that I never would have guessed at. Things have changed. In fact, sometimes I’ve pushed changes with excitement. But there have been a few things that I have resisted. But I’m finally caving.

The first thing that’s changing here, isn’t really here. It’s over on Facebook. TorontoBeerBlog.com has a page.

TorontoBeerBlog.com is on Facebook. Welcome to 2004

TorontoBeerBlog.com is on Facebook. Welcome to 2004

Okay, let me say why this still kind of bugs me, and what I promise and on and on.

I have long resisted getting a page aside from my personal profile on Facebook. Initially, I felt like I would be punching above my weight, somewhat. I just didn’t see that I was that important or in-demand to need the extra control that a page provided. Then, when I could kind of see how a page might be useful and reasonable for a guy writing a not-too-badly-read beer blog would be, I still resisted. Part of what I love about the beer scene in Toronto is that if you happen to be in a bar, and a brewer or publican or somebody is there, you can generally approach them and find them to be welcoming and friendly. I equated that, on Facebook, to being the difference between a personal profile and a professional page. Even if there were times that I would find myself wondering “who is this person commenting on my picture of my feet in a hammock”? I liked the way that people felt like they could talk to me, online as well as in person. Then things during last year’s fsat kind of blew up, and I actually needed a page and didn’t have one, or the time to pull one together. After it was over and I’d decompressed, I decided things probably would never be that “big” again, so I didn’t need it. And that’s where I’ve been for nearly a year.

Even in the times when I was aware of the usefulness of a professional page, I was still leery. I actually kind of hate it when friends start a professional page for themselves. Often this is what happens:

  • Friend on Facebook announces exciting new business venture. Let’s call it Henry’s Hammock’s. Henry is excited and has blindly invited *every* person on his friends list to like his page.
  • I grudgingly like his page, because he is so damn excited and I want to see his like count go up so he feels good about his effort.
  • The next day, I see this string of posts in my timeline:
    • Henry: Check out this new hammock design I’m selling at my hammock business!
    • Henry’s Hammocks: Check out this new hammock design I’m selling at my hammock business!
    • Henry: Henry Liked Henry’s Hammock’s Status Update: Check out this new hammock design I’m selling at my hammock business!
    • Henry: Henry Shared Henry’s Hammock’s Status Update: Check out this new hammock design I’m selling at my hammock business!
    • Henry’s Hammock’s Liked Henry’s Link: Henry Shared Henry’s Hammock’s Status Update: Check out this new hammock design I’m selling at my hammock business!
    • Henry: Hey everyone, check out my new Hammock Business Henry’s Hammock’s. Don’t forget to click the old “like” button 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉 😉
    • Repeat above 6 more times before dinner
  • Oh FFS

I really really worry about having a profile and a page…..

That said, it’s happening, and for some very good reasons, most of which involve marketing, which is something that I’ll touch on next time. For now, suffice to say, I’m able to track my followers much better on a page, and will also be able to run much more effective marketing campaigns than my imaginary friend Henry.

I do solemnly swear that I will only post legitimate beer-related stuff on the TorontoBeerBlog.com page. And not just links from the blog, but articles and pictures of interest to beer folks who would be following along. I will probably certainly still post occasional beer stuff on my personal page, and definitely will still post fresh content from here on both sides, but there will be very clear differences between the content on the two. And if you ever feel like you’re always getting the same thing twice, I will not only not judge you, but will completely support you unfollowing one or both accounts. We good?

So, for now, go ahead and like https://www.facebook.com/TorontoBeerBlog. If you don’t really know me, or have always felt weird seeing pictures of my kids and stuff, feel free to unfollow my personal page. I won’t be offended if my personal count goes down a bit.

Oh, and I will still be using my Twitter, g+, Instagram, Pinterest, Zomato and Untappd accounts for both personal and professional use, so keep on following (or start now) on any of those that work for you.

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