Social Networking

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Renee Cerullo

A big trend on the web is Social Networking. Here is a quick list of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

  • Connect with lots of new people, just as with real-life networking.
  • Get the word out without an intermediary, such as a pesky reporter or columnist!
  • Establish yourself as an expert in a field.
  • Stay on top of your field and your competitors.
  • Connect with your own customers.

Limitations:

  • Can consume a huge amount of time.
  • Most connections will never convert to paying clients or customers.
  • A zillion of your competitors are out there.

Managing your social networking visibility can be a full-time job – in fact, many companies employ people just to be doing that. But you have a business to run.

Filed under: Social Computing | Tagged: ,

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6 Responses

  1. Charlie Wertz, on May 27, 2009 at 8:34 AM Said:

    Just a couple little comments here.

    I just signed on to facebook a week or two ago. I can see very quickly that this will be a great time waster if I am not careful. Watching the “wall” is seductive. I’ve also acquired a very diverse group of “friends:” family members, friends, professional contacts, and former students. Their postings are varied – from technical to banal – and I can’t imagine what I’d post that would interest them all.

    LinkedIn seems much more appropriate for professional contacts.

    Two asides: It looks like we are trying to get this blog going again. I hope this shot is successful. Also, I believe I once had a student named Renee Cerullo and I wonder if this post is from her.

    Reply
  2. Brett, on May 27, 2009 at 9:37 AM Said:

    Good points Renee.

    I think most companies believe that the social media is a magic pill that will take their organization to the next level.

    But truthfully it is a long term relationship building tool, similar to face to face networking. I wrote a blog about it here.

    http://brettburnsworth.com/2009/04/social-networking-demystified/

    Signature: Search Engine Optimization Buffalo

    Reply
  3. S. Navpreet Jatana, on May 27, 2009 at 9:48 AM Said:

    Renee, thanks for sharing the article. I recently blogged on the role of social software in business and agree there are compelling drivers as well as real challenges to creating an “Enterprise 2.0″.

    On the one hand, social networking encourages employee engagement, enhances collaboration, helps create a sense of community. On the other hand, it is difficult for businesses to measure the impact in hard dollars, comply with records retention laws, and come up with rules for employee participation.

    I welcome your thoughts: http://www.jatana.com/2009/05/04/social-computing-in-the-enterprise-social-software-considerations/

    Reply
  4. Thought on Social Networking « Charlie Wertz’s blog, on June 4, 2009 at 5:59 PM Said:

    [...] Filed under: Uncategorized — Charlie Wertz @ 4:59 pm Recently, Renee Cerullo posted an item regarding social networking on the WNY Technology Blog. Subsequently, S. Navpreet Jatana commented and provided a reference to [...]

    Reply
  5. Still more about Social Networking and Iran « Charlie Wertz’s blog, on June 21, 2009 at 4:17 PM Said:

    [...] Still more about Social Networking and Iran Filed under: Uncategorized — Charlie Wertz @ 3:17 pm This continues the discussion regarding social networking. See this one and this one. [...]

    Reply
  6. akp982, on October 27, 2009 at 3:29 PM Said:

    great article very helpful :-)

    I have spent a long time trying to prefect social media to try and spread my websites and well myself.

    Thanks for writing up

    Reply

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