Image: Facebook
One of the main technological advances that has risen to prominence during the pandemic are teleconferencing platforms. Be it for professional or personal purposes, chances are, you would have been well-acquainted with such mediums like Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
These organizations have experienced exponential growth in recent months and understandably, Facebook has jumped on the bandwagon, putting its own spin on things. They felt like there was room for improvement in the realm of video conferencing where they could add to their current Facebook Messenger service.
Facebook recently launched its latest videoconferencing feature, Messenger rooms, which allows up to 50 people to video chat simultaneously with no time limit for FREE. It has been whimsically dubbed "The Zoom killer" by those in the industry and it is easy to see why. Facebook has created a platform that is user-friendly, where you are allowed you to bypass the annoying obstacles of having to download different apps or create new accounts to use a videoconferencing tool.
Upside of Facebook Rooms
One of the main downsides of other video conferencing platforms is the perceived hassle required to create an account on an entirely foreign platform. People have bemoaned having to learn how to navigate the platform in order to be able to video-conference. Facebook aimed to remove all the trouble associated with video-conferencing. They strived to ensure that their platform was as foolproof as possible, catering to all walks of life.
It took me by surprise when I found out that a Facebook account was not necessary to use the platform. In fact, you need not even download any of Facebook's apps to access it, you simply click on the link which will redirect you to another browser. I have spoken to numerous people who have used it and am yet to find someone who has encountered a problem while joining it. Its accessibility makes it even more attractive for businesses, where the last thing you want to deal with are technical issues.
You need not even add your invitees as friends beforehand which makes it all the more professional for work purposes. It has certainly been the easiest video conference tool to navigate and is excellent at getting tons of people together in literally seconds. Did I mention that it is free to use and has no time limit on calls? Unlike Zoom, which has a time limit of 40 minutes and up to 3 or more total participants for their basic plan.
How does it help Businesses? The pulling factor that Facebook Rooms has for business owners are client research. Like the chat and bulletin boards of ‘old’, Facebook Rooms offer a wealth of information around topics that interest your fans. For example, rooms of dog owners for pet stores, tech rooms for IT companies, parent rooms for family-focused businesses etc. Since, there is no need to add individuals as friends before hand, there is less of a commitment and customers can simply exit the room if they wish. This leaves businesses with new opportunities to reach out to new clients.
It is significantly better than Zoom in this regard, as it allows the creation of rooms for people looking for a specific service. Businesses will be able to look for such rooms and directly communicate with the customer. This will eliminate the need for businesses to source for customers as they can now have a direct consultation with an interested party.
Facebook Rooms look to be the new golden standard in tele conferencing, it's user-friendliness and simplicity makes it attractive for all. The lack of prerequisite commitment is all the more alluring for potential customers Businesses need to be wise to this, they must make the switch over and set up base at Facebook Rooms. They would be foolish not to. The opportunities are endless and in the new normal we have come to experience, this is a real game-changer.