Has Social Networking got out of hand?
A month ago I was thinking social networking is going crazy. What do you think?
At that time I had received a number of invitations to attend new networks that have been established. I must be on everyone’s invitation list – it’s getting out of hand! And perhaps it is.
However, just recently I relented and decided to join a couple more networks, actually about 3 or was it 4? Ning.com really seems to have lent itself nicely to brand new networks on an almost daily basis and it’s so easy to set up and use. And you can create your own templates or use one of theirs. Many applications to add or build onto the network makes it easy for those who just don’t have an IT person in the background to install and set up software for them.
So I’ve joined 3 author’s networks (as learning from my peers is a great way to improve myself as an author as well as promote my books) and another business group called Sta.rtUp.biz. Over 20,000 members at that one and if you consider joining, be prepared to be bombarded with lots of comments on your page within a short time of joining – they encourage people to welcome all the newbies. To me it amounts to spam but you can delete the comments on your own page and leave what you want there. And there are some excellent forums there for people in all types of businesses. I’ve already made some worthwhile connections and only been a member a very short time. And somehow I’ve gained a lot of points although I haven’t yet fully worked out what they’re for. Some kind of ranking system for active networkers I think.
Anyway, if you check the menu to the right you’ll see a list of my social network pages under the “Connect With Me” blogroll category. Feel free to pop in and pay a visit if you desire!
social networks, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Ning, Authors, Christian women, business groups
Kathie…I am always getting invitations from someone who has invited me to join something. One of the things I would like to cut back on in the new year is networks, will leave a “presence” on some, keep working on the one I moderate, and focus on really communicating on only a few. It is most definitely getting overwhelming, and can be a real waste of time if not used wisely.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Claudia
As much as I believe social networking can help me promote myself as an author and help sell books, I do believe there comes a point where I have to say “enough is enough.” I am OVERWHELMED with social networks. I added several in 2008 and feel bad that I don’t keep up with all of them the way that I would like to.
My advice is to pick networks where you can cultivate friendships and business relationships and don’t get caught up into the frenzy of being a “social butterfly.”
I must admit I too am overwhelmed by the networks. I have a lot of invitations I have not taken advantage of because I feel like I’m doing too much already. I’m sure I’m missing out on something important, but, until I learn to master what I already have, I think I’ll just stay a few steps behind.
I must admit I too am overwhelmed by the social networking thing. It would consumer an entire day — day after day — if I allowed it. Working and living full-time in an RV, I am alone a large portion of the day. So I have come to view my networking time as similar to “water cooler time” or a quick coffee break down the street. It breaks up the day for 15-30 minutes at a time. If TV is boring in the evening and I have no projects due, I may devote a couple of hours to it. That’s it. I HAVE started separating networks into “social” and “professional” groups. And I have eliminated several which just didn’t seem to be going anywhere. As with real world social groups — you have to try them, evaluate them, and wither work them or drop them.
It is overwhelming, but also a good thing.
Can’t join everything, I too see it as a virtual water cooler, productive playtime. Things are learned, ideas shared, relationships strengthened, business conducted.
I can’t join everything I’m invited to join. Twitter is the place I’m most likely to be found. Love any tools that help us keep up.
[...] keeps popping up constantly then I will spend time with it to learn it. Hence the different social and business networks that I now belong to. I can’t join them all – I just don’t have the time, but I have [...]