Dear Colette,
I have a friend who works for a multi-level marketing company and often posts her invitations to upcoming events directly on my Facebook page. It’s awkward because I want to support her business, but I resent having to go in and hide these invites from my timeline.
What do you suggest?
-Tagged Out
Dear Tagged Out,
I can relate to what you’re going through as I had a similar situation. A colleague would tag me in notices and photos for her upcoming events. I truly was unsure if she was doing shameless self-promotion, or if she really was unaware of how to set up a Facebook events page and invite people. I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt the first time it happened, framing it as she is just enthusiastic about her event and wanted to share. But the second time it happened, I took action because I realized it wasn’t a fluke, and I didn’t want my personal Facebook page to be used as part of her ongoing marketing strategy. In the bigger picture, we can give people a pass on something that happens once, but when the “pass” turns into a pattern, we need to address it quickly or our silence can be misconstrued as permission.
I addressed the issue by sending a polite message: “Hi Jill, I appreciate you and would prefer you not tag me in a Facebook event or photo unless I’m truly present. Are you aware you can send announcements by creating an “event” on Facebook and then invite people? Will I be seeing you at (upcoming conference)? Sure hope so!”
In my case, the matter was resolved and the relationship maintained. I’m sure you’ll be equally successful when you speak your truth to your Facebook friend.
