I have received a ton of e-mails from people who are upset that they are no longer on my friends list. They have also taken umbrage with the fact that I am now calling my “friends” – “fans” and that my “friends” list has been purged and is now closed for new friends.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think by changing my “facebook” to a “fan-page” that it would elicit such an emotional response – but it has – and now I’d like to take a few moments of your time to explain myself and be done with this. 🙂
Listen. Here’s the skinny: Facebook was taking up WAY too much of my time. Trying to navigate, engage and be part of a ever growing 3000+ friendship account was taking over my life in a negative way. So in an attempt to simplify how I stay connected to my readers – I moved everyone over to a fan-page.
It’s not that I think I am better than you!! I only called it a “fan” page because that’s how facebook categorizes these types of pages.
I deleted everyone from my “personal” friends list and now my friends list only contains my family and close friends.
I’m sorry if you were hurt in the “Great Purge of 2010” but removing you from my “friends” list is not a reflection of how I feel about you in my life.
I have such deep admiration and appreciation for each and every one of you who have spent your hard earned pennies on my books. Those who have supported me and my endeavors over the years are very dear to me and that’s why I went to each and every one of your profiles and left a message telling you about the fan-page because I didn’t want anyone to be left behind.
This whole thing is just me trying to simplify my facebook time so that I can have more time to be creative. Seriously. Facebook was KILLING my creative time and that’s not something I want. I want to continue to educate, motivate and inspire vegans … and I can’t do that if I’m on facebook 24-7.
I hope this puts to rest any un-easy feelings and if you would like to join my fan-page please join HERE. I would love to see you over there …Â 🙂
Oh dear sorry to hear people got upset by this. <3
Well, I’m just delighted to be your fan 🙂
Thanks guys. 🙂
Gah, people are so sensitive.
Sorry you’re getting grief over this!
I can only imagine what it’d be like to log into Facebook, and check the Status Updates of over 3,000 people each day. It’d be INSANE. I have ~250 FB Friends, and that’s more than enough for me to keep tabs on…i couldn’t imagine over 10x more than that…it’d be my whole day just to read…or you’d have to ‘Ignore’ the vast majority of people…
For those who are upset, take a moment and put yourself in Sarah’s (undoubtedly fabulous) shoes…what would you have done?
I totally get why you did this. I’m sorry so many people are upset by it. :/
Wow, I get the change completely, I can’t imagine why anyone was upset. Also, I *am* a fan of yours, as are many people, so I don’t think that is a misplaced term at all…. Sorry people were drama about it *shrug*
Hey, I just became vegan at 53, and I think you rock. I AM a fan! Thanks for you’re hard work and enjoy Hawaii!
Linda in Colorado
Sarah,
I wanted to day that I completely respect your decision to create a fan page. You have helped me out a ton over the past few years. I especially appreciate you personally sending out postcards to hand out at my go vegan forum my senior year of high school. You deserve a personal life with your crazy life. I adore you and wish you luck.
Love you lady,
Ana
I understand how easy it must be for your account to have become such a time drain… I was so floored that you sent me a message telling me/inviting me to the new page that it was really obvious this wasn’t meant to slight anyone. You don’t know me from a hole in the wall, but I own some of your books and appreciate all that you do (including the fact that you let me, someone you don’t know, into your life!).
Sarah, you do so much for the vegan community. I’m happy to be a fan and hope you continue to bring us awesome vegan goodness.
Wait. I’m confused. Are you breaking up with me? !?!?!
I thought it odd that you even friended me to begin with, but cool nonetheless. 😉 It’s somewhat of the norm for personalities to have pages anyway.
People will have something to say no matter what. Your initial email stating the change was understood and I look forward to following you on your fan page!
Cheers.
Facebook can be such a huge time suck, and I only have a little over 100 friends! What you did sounds more than reasonable. I was super-excited to see that you had a fan page. I’m sorry you got such negative feedback.
Sarah — I think you made a wise choice. Sarah needs to take care of Sarah and not become a slave to the machine. Keep up the spark of vegan creativity and keep being SARAH!
i hate facebook and deactivated my account after only a few weeks of the madness. facebook is the devil. but i loooove following you on the twitters, dearie!!xo
Totally makes sense to me! 🙂
Beautifully said, and oh-so-reasonable, Sarah. So sorry to hear that some folks were actually upset about this. Listen, I hate to break this to you, but you ARE a public figure and we ARE your fans. The not-entirely-insane among us fully support you!
No go forth and create! 😀
Go for it! Simplify! All the power to ya! I am enjoying being your fan!
See. This is what I was talking to you about, social networking can take over your life and then when you try and take control back everyone gets offended. I think it was a smart choice to redo your facebook pages. The deed is done, people can deal with it. If they’re your real friend they can call you. E.K. out – Boo-yah!
THANKS E.K.!! 🙂
3000+ people should be on a fan page and I’m glad you have done this to take time to be creative. Computers can suck so much time, in fact whole weekend mornings. 😉