Check the back door of your office, because online social networking may have snuck in while you wer…
Check the back door of your office, because online social networking may have snuck in while you weren't paying attention.
Online social networking, sometimes called Web 2.0, is creeping quickly into our world. Where most web sites are like a one way conversation, online social media are like a conference of thousands. Social Networking in Plain English Your customers are using LinkedIn, Twitter (huh?), YouTube, FaceBook and MySpace to get connected.
The Rundown
LinkedIn is the leading Web 2.0 resource for business. It started out as an online resume service, but now there are discussion areas where you can ask experts, or demonstrate that you are one. Start here, set up a profile, and load a picture. I'll even be your first friend, . I'm sure Tim Fahndrich, AJ Nash or Ryan Albritton will accept your connections, as well.
Twitter is a fascinating if not annoying web version of text messaging. You can poke your nose into the life or conversations of any participating Twit. (They aren't really called Twits, but I think it's funny, so it stays.) You can Tweet (really) your followers, and interact with the Tweets of those you follow. I follow thought leaders in other industries for insights. See just how annoying this technology can be at twitter.com/KyleSexton.
We've all dismissed MySpace as "just for kids," and now these kids are expanding into FaceBook. I've seen members with profiles on both of these. My advice is to evaluate whether or not you have an audience here before moving in.
The Alternatives
So you want to dip your toe before you jump in? Blogger is a great free service for you to start blogging. Link it to your web site in a prominent place. Schedule your blogging. This blog will also become an article in two different publications with different audiences, so I'm not taking extra time by blogging, I'm saving time by blogging. Read that last part again.
The Consequences
Some of you will read this article and do nothing. Many of you won't even get so far into the issue as this sentence. In my best God-voice, here this. Get on LinkedIn. Join the LinkedIn Group belonging to the Salem Chamber, so you can connect to other members without showing up for anything. Participate in public discussions on the issues relating to your community. Most importantly, become comfortable with Web 2.0 before Web 3.0 come knocking on your back door, too.
Online social networking, sometimes called Web 2.0, is creeping quickly into our world. Where most web sites are like a one way conversation, online social media are like a conference of thousands. Social Networking in Plain English Your customers are using LinkedIn, Twitter (huh?), YouTube, FaceBook and MySpace to get connected.
The Rundown
LinkedIn is the leading Web 2.0 resource for business. It started out as an online resume service, but now there are discussion areas where you can ask experts, or demonstrate that you are one. Start here, set up a profile, and load a picture. I'll even be your first friend, . I'm sure Tim Fahndrich, AJ Nash or Ryan Albritton will accept your connections, as well.
Twitter is a fascinating if not annoying web version of text messaging. You can poke your nose into the life or conversations of any participating Twit. (They aren't really called Twits, but I think it's funny, so it stays.) You can Tweet (really) your followers, and interact with the Tweets of those you follow. I follow thought leaders in other industries for insights. See just how annoying this technology can be at twitter.com/KyleSexton.
We've all dismissed MySpace as "just for kids," and now these kids are expanding into FaceBook. I've seen members with profiles on both of these. My advice is to evaluate whether or not you have an audience here before moving in.
The Alternatives
So you want to dip your toe before you jump in? Blogger is a great free service for you to start blogging. Link it to your web site in a prominent place. Schedule your blogging. This blog will also become an article in two different publications with different audiences, so I'm not taking extra time by blogging, I'm saving time by blogging. Read that last part again.
The Consequences
Some of you will read this article and do nothing. Many of you won't even get so far into the issue as this sentence. In my best God-voice, here this. Get on LinkedIn. Join the LinkedIn Group belonging to the Salem Chamber, so you can connect to other members without showing up for anything. Participate in public discussions on the issues relating to your community. Most importantly, become comfortable with Web 2.0 before Web 3.0 come knocking on your back door, too.
Comment
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Comment by Tim Fahndrich on December 4, 2008 at 9:27am -
Nice article Kyle. I especially like your "I'm saving time by blogging" comment. While it does take time to blog ... the alternative is a lot more time spent. And, with all of the social networking sites working in tandem, there are some really cool ways to post once but be everywhere at the same time. Feel free to connect with me on all levels;
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/timfahndrich
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tfahndrich
Facebook: http://profile.to/timfahndrich/
© 2009 Created by Kyle J. Sexton
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