We’ve recently had a very interesting discussion on the VA forum about the use of photos on websites and that then grew into a discussion on social networking. Is SN good or bad? Is it necessary or time wasting? Does it work?
And then recently on LinkedIn a question relating to the same thing was asked and I thought I’d share with you my response there and some of my response at the VA forum.
“Spam is probably the ‘worst’ part about it. Geez people/spammers, get a life! But apart from that I love the social side of connecting with people and learning about them. I love meeting people that I might not have met during the normal course of my business day.
“Social networking takes me out of my office and into the world beyond literally. I can tell you that I’ve been given opportunities I never would have had, if I hadn’t taken up social networking and it alone was responsible for my being asked to speak at a conference last June in Niagara Falls – I live in Australia. So I’m a real advocate for social networking.
“I currently use Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin as my main tools which are added to existing tools of blogging, discussion forums, attending local networking events close to home and so on.”
Most of you know I spoke at the Forum on Virtual Assistance (FoVA) in June but might not realise that it came about because of a webinar I was giving last year on Linkedin for VAs to a US/Canadian audience. They knew about me because of my involvement with forums and different networking tools like Linkedin.
Below is a partial copy of my response at the discussion on the VA forum:
“Many of us choose to use the new tools as they become available because we need to keep ahead of our clients. I know that my own clients were the ones that drove me towards blogging, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. I’ve tried several others too but decided that they weren’t worth pursuing. And my clients expect me to tell them about these tools and how to use them and what they could mean to their businesses. It’s been through client demand that my own service provision has become what it is today.
“So, for those of us who want to use the Social networking tools, it’s a great fit! That doesn’t mean everyone has to or should. It’s not about ‘having a case’ because it’s not about ‘for or against’. It’s about what’s out there and what’s available and if people want to use those tools, then they can go ahead and do so.”
So, what do you think? Good or bad? Do you use Social Networking or don’t you and would you like to share why?
Mary H Ruth says
To me, there’s no doubt that internet communications are a vital part of commerce of all kinds, and their importance will continue to grow. Social networking is a part of internet communications, and needs to be learned and used by all of us, just as our society adopted the telephone over a hundred years ago.
For businesses, social networking is is just another term for customer relations – something all businesses, by definition, have to do.
Diane Coville says
Glad you found Social Networking, Kathie, because that’s how we found and met you….and can keep in touch to know how and what you are doing. I specialize in Social Media Marketing for clients and love the results I get for them. One client got so many opportunities in the form of Joint Venture Partnering that he asked me to “stop” for awhile so he could catch up! Although people have been connecting through the Internet for many years, Socia Media has provided huge opportunities for people and businesses that would never have happened otherwise. Making the decision to enter the Social Media world is a great choice IF you have thought out a strategy for how you are going to do it, what your expectations are and how you are going to reach your goals.
Eileen Williams says
I’m new to social networking so I’m still getting my feet wet so to speak. I can see how people spend hours tweeting and posting and I’m not sure if it’s worth it. However, if I take a look at your numerous successes, I just might have to change my mind!
Beverly Mahone says
I do enjoy social networking but I think it can be OVERWHELMING at times. I believe the key is to be consistent and engaging but sometimes I think you can waste time “tweeting” and getting nothing accomplished.
Debbie Barth says
I love social media. Let’s face it, we do use social media to promote our businesses and that is a part of it. I do dislike getting DM’s in twitter with links to sites, etc. I find this cheesy. If someone wants me to send a link, or I ask for a link…fine…but geez…how about a little courting and spooning before ….
Is it worth the time that it takes to build relationships in social media groups…for me personally…yes.
My example is our radio talk show coming in October appropriately entitled Three Wise Girls (ok, that depends on who you ask). I am co-hosting this show with two remarkably talanted ladies, Linda Alexander and Dori DeCarlo. I’ve followed Linda on Ryze for a few years, and met Dori on Perfect Networker last year. We just clicked…started our own power circle call…and now are going to be doing a talk radio show together. This, all because of social media. Without it, we would most likely have never met.
I also get calls concerning my two businesses and the services that I provide because of my interaction with other members in twitter, facebook, etc. Social media allows you to “put yourself out there”, be visible, and create credibility that others are really looking for in terms of doing business with people on line.
As with anything, social media has it’s pros and cons. That’s true with anything we do. Trust me, I don’t like everything about social media, but on the other hand, without using social media, I would have never found myself surrounded by so many talented, professional, really classy and warm-hearted people. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t be commenting on kathie’s blog today, without actively participating in social media. Now that’s one for the “plus side”
Debbie Barth
Cindy Freland says
I just started social networking on Facebook and Twitter a few months ago. I like it but Twitter can be very complicated. I’ve taught myself most of it. I like it because it allows me to connect with people that I wouldn’t normally connect with. It also helps me get my business information out. Even though I hate spamming, you can include little notes and questions to get people to check out your profile and possibly look at your website.
Cindy Freland says
I have another important thing to say about all advertising, it takes time. You cannot expect things to happen overnight. You have to be consistent. For example, I have been tweeting just about every day for about a month, maybe longer, but I have recently gotten two people who are interested in calling me about my services. In all those tweets, and it’s been maybe 800, I am finally getting responses.
Malick says
My conviction is that social media is good for overall personal business improvement. However it should be taken with a pinch of salt, rather. I posted about this with a youtube video:
http://committedexpertise.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/waste-of-time-social-networks/
Malick Md PMP