Social Networking
Can I Be Your Friend?
Creatures in the animal kingdom, including humans all have ways to get aquanited and develop relationships. Some are more discreet and effective than others. Perhaps the most complicated are the ones that we human beings use.
Can I buy you a drink?
Back in what I affectionately refer to as “the good old days” people had to go out to bars and parties to meet others. Many times a lot of money and time was spent with nothing to show for it but a headache (or worse) in the morning.
Then Came the Computer
It is now possible for even the shyest of people to reach out and meet someone. Dating sites like eHarmony.com, Match.com, Computer Dating USA and countless others allow singles to meet without going through the hassles previously required. Next came the free social networking site My Space.com
My Space Success
Our son Gilbert met his lovely bride Ashley on My Space while he was deployed in Iraq and she at nursing school here in Hawaii. Their relationship was well underway before his first leave home when they met in person. There’s no other way that this could have happened.
That Led to “Sweet Sammy”
Yesterday (New Year’s Day) was Samantha’s third birthday. No way could that have happened long distance on the Internet. Another big My Space success was the site formed by Barack Obama where he changed politics and raised more money than any candidate in history, all by way of social networking.
What to Do?
Today Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter seem to be heading the field of hundreds of social networks sites available. The big question is, “Are they valuable or a waste of good time?” Like many others out there, I have been drawn in to a few of these and everyday I am finding more and more time being spent at the computer, but have yet to figure out how to get this stuff to pay off. Is this something I should be suggesting to my clients as a way to find more business? If so, which one is best? From what I have seen so far, at least for business, LinkedIn seems to have the most potential. I am certain that these would be a great source of occupation when retired, but I am not quite there yet, however I don’t want to be left behind as this technology evolves. What to Do?
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Ron; use them all. This is 2009; stay with the flow. I have seen your website and you have so much to offer; you need to get it out there.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Total waste of time;get back to work!!!
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
What a hilarious opening photo. I’ve met a few students at school that are not much different than that. Seriously, I have used MySpace for years and stayed in touch with friends that have moved on to the mainland and other schools. It’s been great.
There’s a big movement however over to FaceBook, and I am going there as well. I think it’s a matter of the technology getting better. I like the wall feature a lot.
I don’t know what to say about the business value as yet, but I hope it works as well as the social side. I will check out LinkedIn.
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
One does need to be cautious about the time spent. These networks can become quite habit forming and get into a lot of small talk nonsense, like chat rooms. With that being said there is also a lot of value to be had. Hits on my website went up dramatically by joining key groups on LinkedIn and contributing to pertinent discussions. Be sure to complete your portfolio and keep it current.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
You set a time limit. It could be an hour in the morning or a half hour. There is so much information on the computer and so many links to inspiration, I personally enjoy the time spent reading, researching and laughing at things people send me, via internet sites or coaching sites or just e-mails. It is better than sitting in front of the T.V. At least there can be interaction! Wishing you and all your clients an abundant,educational,green, healthy, gratitude filled awesome 2009!
Char
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
So far, I don’t hear anyone talking about getting real business ($$$) from these activities. Would love to hear about it if it’s out there.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:55 am
As a professional photographer I enjoy great success from the associations I have made on LinkedIn, but like anything else, you only get out of it what you put into it. Just like on the computer; GIGO!