BOUNDARIES ARE IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL NETWORKING (03/01/2009)
Many design, construction, and real estate professionals have been asking our thoughts on the popular social networking site called Twitter. Some question if it’s worth their time and effort. It’s a good question, but there is no simple answer. Twitter is not for everybody and if an Architect feels that there are better places to spend his/her time to get a higher ROI, then that’s probably where he/she should spend their time.
Social media and networking sites are growing at astronomical rates. According to social media author and guru, Paul Gillin, there are more than five hundred social network and media sites. Since his book, The New Influencers, was published, there probably have been thousands of new social media and networking sites established. It’s impossible to be active on all of them and marketers of design, construction, and real estate services should identify the ones that make the most sense for them and stay with them.
Best selling author and Internet marketing expert, David Meerman Scott, has a great post on why he doesn’t use Linkedin. He gets what he needs from sites like Twitter and Facebook and has elected not to be part of Llinkedin. Personally, I get a lot of value out of Linkedin and am very active on it. It doesn’t mean that he’s wrong or I’m wrong. We’re simply two different people with our own individual agendas.
Scott’s point, however, is a good one. There probably isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not invited to social networking sites like Plaxo, Fast Pitch, Ecademy, etc. Participation in all of them is impossible and it’s ok to say “no” on occasion. Choose social networks where you feel you can get the best value for your time, keep your focus on these sites, and avoid the temptation to spread yourself too thin.
