Virtual ‘like’ ups brand value

[1]

Vinita Michael Joseph is a jewellery design graduate from NIFT. One can find all her latest creations on her website and her Facebook (FB) page, which already has over 300 likes. How useful is a virtual ‘like’ on FB? “When a member ‘likes’ an image, it shows on his/her timeline. This in turn is viewed by others on their friends list.

It multiplies the reach of the posts on my page. It helps in creating brand awareness,” she says.
“A ‘like’ that doesn’t come from someone truly interested in connecting with a page benefits no one.” So begins a recent blog entry by FB security team. It thus seems that FB is emerging from its state of denial about the true value of “likes”. However, youngsters who promote novel ventures on FB have a different opinion.
“FB page is Web 2.0 equivalent version of email newsletter subscriber list, only that it’s much less intrusive for subscriber. Number of fans and ‘likes’ definitely serve as an opportunity for a brand to build trust and impress by good customer response,” says Vinayak Garg, founder, doctoratclick.com. Doctor At Click is a web-platform that helps patients get a second medical opinion online from specialist doctors on diseases like cancer. Agrees Kamal Thakur, general manager, marketing, Hill Post, an independent newsportal, “Nearly 40 per cent Hill Post’s regular visitors are the ones who routinely hit the ‘like’ button on our page, drop comments and share posts on their wall.”
As Rahul Khandelwal, founder, Unlearn Formulae, puts forth, “Number of ‘likes’ on FB may create the initial hype for start-ups, but then it’s all about your hard work.” Unlearn Formulae is an initiative to teach students mathematics better and make it a greater part of life.