Social Networking is hot, and we are exploring much of it and will report back on what we see and hear. The difference between what is available and how these sites are actually used can be enlightening. I keep getting invitations to join someone’s network at LinkedIn. And I do, if I know them. And I have a profile up. But I can’t say I know how to use it, except for gathering people into groups. Clearly it’s terrific for job hunters, head hunters, and generally finding/sourcing/re-connecting with contacts and colleagues. It also appears that there is something about the “footprint” you leave behind with the size of your network. Bigger is better — better connected, newsworthy, probably influential. It’s a branding thing.
But I’m not sure about how to pro-actively use all of that to better the business — mine or yours. We emailed a random sample of our clients, colleagues and friends in the biz world to see how they were using the program. Most folks said that they had a profile up, but didn’t really use it at all. Others said they used it to research people. The majority said that they weren’t at all sure how what to do with it, but kept accepting invitations to join other peoples’ networks. A vicious circle.
Seth Godin has a great post recently on the topic of Facebook – he’s an ardent fan. Read thru to the comments as well. Facebook has just recently “monetized” (my husband cringes hearing that marketing-speak) and the news is getting mixed reviews. As Social Networking and Facebook and other Web 2.0 toys ramp up, I’m wondering who is really using what methods to stay connected for business. How many of you have profiles in Facebook? Other sites? I’m still exploring Facebook to see what makes sense for our business, our clients and me personally. I’d love to hear your feedback.

We are a techno-geeky household, creating future online junkies and media consumers. We have one if not two screens in every room, videogame players, TV sets, multiple laptops, a computer per child, Gameboy. It seems to be endless. That picture at the top (infant w/ binky in front of a screen) mirrors one we have of each child at about six months old. I wonder where social networking and real networking (like conversation) collide. Probably at our dinner table…where we actually talk!While the debate rages on (how much is too much for young minds – that debate), I’m aware that we have become a media-centric and -aware family and proud of it. Both adults blog, the oldest child is already wrapped up in YouTube and Petopia and Twitter. Googling is part of the homework ritual. I would think that we are are not an unusual demo for families of Suburbia.I’ll be blogging about media, new media, emerging media, blogging, Web 2.0 and 3.0, communication, community and family. And random thoughts.[tags]Elymedia, media, direct marketing, success, interactive, marketing, media planning, media buying, lead generation, customer acquisition, email, e-mail, mailing list, list broker, ecommerce, e-commerce, clicks, strategy, measurement, Internet, productivity, results, advertising, cross-channel, multichannel, channel, launch, customer, service, CRM, segmentation, analysis, strategy, enterprise, development, brand[/tags]