Lets dig into the controversy about using Facebook to grow your business. Most business owners still think it is a pretty silly social networking site that doesn't really have much to do with attracting "real" clients who will buy from you. Guess what ...they are RIGHT. Social Media is a place to build trust , its not about buying. At least  its not about buying right now. Once a business owner understands the purpose they can also learn how Facebook DOES provide return on the investment of time and the very small financial investment in things like ads. A recent study found that  78% of consumers trust peer reviews and only 14% trust advertisements.  Can you see KA_CHING  in those numbers It is crucial to be involved in your community. Ready to put the KA-CHING into your Facebook fan page? Client Response: My decision not to use Facebook has nothing to do with it being a social networking site. I won't use it because the owners will not guarantee privacy of personal information. In fact, they have stated publically that they believe all info should be available to everyone in this social networking age. As a woman who has been stalked in the past (a very frightening experience) and who is concerned about abused women trying to hide from abusers, I am absolutely opposed to this stance. I find it naive and arrogant. I welcome your comments. Reply: I completely agree with you and love the approach you are verbalizing about Facebook. AND I think there is an alternate to consider. First I too have been stalked in college and ended up putting the guy in jail , so I understand about the need for privacy, having escape plans from ones home and other settings  and completely agree with your stance. I have also had the experience of living in the Middle East – seven countries in fact and as a white girl  - very much the minority, I am keenly aware of the need to be cautious and keep my ears and eyes open as well as not to lead others directly to me and my home. If I were consulting with an abused woman I would advise they use a pseudo nym on facebook and every other marketing medium if they need to be  marketing on facebook at all. If your business doesn’t require marketing then don’t put your name out there as your real name. On Facebook , remember you don’t have to  use your real name or have a real picture so it is pretty easy to be anonymous when necessary.  In advising  individuals with that type of concern I would agree with you that I would not even be on facebook or any other social medium. Further I would advise people who are concerned about being stalked in the future,  that they had best get a Po box or alternate address – in the US this is pretty easy and can look like a regular street address. The much greater concern in the US is that if I google my maiden name, the TOP response on a goolge search is my full address for over 20 years history ( 7 addresses) , my children’s full names, my husband and my families addresses – all from the department of motor vehicles. TALK about scary! I am very glad that my name I use now is not my legal name so is not contained in the government databases as is my maiden name. So its back to being a pseudo name EVERYWHERE.