*Don’t Insert Advertisement Here*

Every company tries to get ahead in this world and spread the word about their business by advertising or marketing of some type. It used to be going door-to-door with brochures and leaflets, but times, they are a-changin’. Nowadays, it is infinitely more efficient to advertise digitally. (That’s what we’re here for!)   These companies have begun to infiltrate social media as a means of advertising instead of utilizing it to share their unique and first-hand knowledge of their specific industry.   Facebook is where it got started, but it certainly hasn’t ended there.

For those of you living under a rock,  Facebook was created to connect people to other people, but has become much more than that. It is now a way for different companies, organizations, and groups to get information out into the world via the web so that whoever wants to see the information can do so (if the creator of the page allows it).   Even more than that, ads have steadily filled up the sidebars of every Facebook page.

Don’t get me wrong, the ads can be super helpful at times, like informing you that you can audition for an amazing dance team, or even how you can get a cute pair of expensive shoes for $15.   (I don’t know how, but I assume they can make it happen.)   Though I’m used to a messy room, even I feel confused by the clutter of the ads all over the page while trying to reconnect with an old friend through Facebook.   True, it is an effective way to advertise, but I’ve heard talk of some businesses trying to branch out farther into social media.

Facebook isn’t enough anymore, businesses now want to advertise on Pinterest and Tumblr.

If you are wanting to advertise on these sites, please reconsider. This is an awful idea, and here’s why:

Pinterest is a craft website. The people of Pinterest have created a community of do-it-yourself go-getters who are interested in staying on the frugal side of life. It brings out the crafty side in people, as well as displaying all of mom’s old tips to get stains out and do-it-yourself projects and interests in a pinboard-style web layout (hence the clever name). Ads here would distract from the point of Pinterest: to help focused people create things themselves amidst their busy lives for not a lot of money. Advertisements to buy things (even if at a discount) would be tempting to those trying to avoid the temptation to spend money in our recovering economy.

Tumblr is a different story altogether. Tumblr is, simply put, an inspiration blog. Each person controls their own Tumblr site individually, proving difficult to place ads on Tumblrs without the creator’s consent (which you won’t get, trust me). It’s all about being who you are and expressing yourself without judgement or the persuasion to be someone else. The Tumblr community has a certain respect for each other, and is willing to put aside differences and band together to stop something they don’t approve of. It is strength in numbers, virtually speaking. Your advertisements, meant to do no harm, would encroach on Tumblr’s personally-crafted space.

On both websites, advertisements would be rejected, whether helpful, important, or not. Instead, post something that would contribute to the individuality of either website. For instance, ‘pin’ a picture of your new posh-looking business cards to Pinterest, or upload a picture of the funny face your kid made when they first tried a lemon to Tumblr! Be an avid Pinner, or become Tumblr-famous, but please, leave your ads out of it! Enjoy Pinterest and Tumblr as work-free, stress-free environments existing solely for your personal enjoyment!

If you are looking for ways to have your company’s voice heard or projects seen via social media, there are other ways. There are ways that aren’t frowned upon, and in fact, encouraged.  Feel free to check out JDM’s services for yourself. Instead of plastering your logo on Pinterest or Tumblr , drop us a line and we’ll see what we can do to help guide your business in the right digital direction.