Changing ‘Become a Fan’ to ‘Like’ on Facebook is going to have a huge impact, and is going to be very important for your business when using the Page on the Facebook Platform.

Right before Easter, ClickZ published the story that confidential emails had been send from Facebook to the largest agencies, letting them know that they were going to make a language change for Facebook Pages. Instead of the well debated ‘Become a Fan’ the future holds the most used Facebook word, ‘Like’.

Now the change has not been made yet, but we can hardly wait.  This is one of the biggest issues we have had when consulting companies in using Facebook pages. ‘Become a Fan’ of something like a bank is just hard to imagine getting people to do. Over time, the issue surrounding ‘Become a Fan’ has been less debated, but no doubt that it has and is keeping people from joining a page.

5 reasons why the change will increase your business potential on Facebook:

• The term ‘Like’ is the most popular word on the Facebook platform, it’s even become a term on other online communities and people have started to use it offline as a Facebook imitation.

• Facebook research shows that people are more likely to push “Like” instead of “Become a Fan”… BIG surprise! Grand National Bank – I am not a fan but I do like what they do.
• Your communication offline will be much more appealing – you can now use the term “join us on Facebook if you Like what we do” instead of “join us on Facebook – become a fan of us”.
• Your products or services can get a life of their own – I might not become a fan of sausages but I sure like them.
• Integration on your site, blog or other online activities will be much smother with  “Like” buttons.

The sum up and key reason is no doubt better communication on Facebook and on all other on and offline activities.

And now remember – the change is not going to be valuable without putting resources and thoughts into developing the right strategy, listening and involving your “Likers”, consistency and patience – and of course great and relevant content.

See the confidential email on Slideshare (via Allfacebook.com)

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Tags: Become fan, business potential, Facebook Page, Language change, Like