Lets Get Social…
Every where you look it’s “find us on Facebook”. Or “Follow us out on Twitter” of course there’s linkedIN, Google Buzz and others as well.
I know many people use these sites just to connect, some are using it for marketing strategies.
I’m curious what social sites do you use, and how do you use them?
Do you have a personal account and a business account?
I’ve been toying around with them to see what results I get from where. I pretty much just have one Facebook Page. I do have a “fan” page although I’ve not set it up all the way YET. You can find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/frankdeardurff.
As for twitter I have three accounts I did get my full name at twitter but it’s so long and difficult to spell so I have my default User ID that I use just about every where. You can follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/frank3d
I look forward to your comments on this one, to see if there is truly any “buzz” about all of this social media from you.
Hey bud, I’m getting to the social media space very slowly. I don’t use it. for any reason other than to have an account on both tweeter and Facebook.
Facebook is king. I’m taking advantage of FB groups. A great place to connect with those have similar interests. A great place to teach and share value. My main interest is video. I created a group called “video says it better”. Its important to start groups and join groups around topics you are passionate about. Social media is powerful, but it’s even more powerful when you take the online world and go offline to truly network and connect.
Frank I found you on Twitter! That is why I ended up taking your classes.
Social Media is a fantastic way to meet people who have like interests. Like Nick above says it is truly even more powerful when you get to meet the people in person that you have met online.
I started with writing articles, but did not do very well with it until I met Jeff Herring on Twitter. Then my article marketing grew and grew. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff in person last August and we made a video together of me hitting publish on my 200th article. Social Media has truly has changed my life.
I have both personal and business and I love engaging with other to learn and teach all about it.
Frank,
I have found that Social Media is a great communication tool as long as you keep from getting sucked in.
Here’s how I use it:
1. See whats going on with people I am connected to. (Find out about events, help them promote things they are doing, connect people together, etc)
2. Educate our followers
I find that we get TONS of feedback much faster when we blast out something important on Facebook, than from email. Both work great but people tend to check FB more often.
And most importantly…
3. Make connections I would not normally have made.
Because of the social aspect of Social Media, I have got connected to a ton of amazing people and built relationships from it. It’s more likely to get read and they pay more attention.
I have used Social Media to make a large number of connections that I will be doing joint ventures and cross promotions with this year.
The key is to not get sucked in. I personally suggest setting a time to and limiting how much time you spend on Social Media. It is a daily thing to use it right but 15-30 minutes max.
And… Stay away from Farmville!
🙂
Ely
Social media is not my “thing” – I feel like I have a full life already with my family and friends and my business so I don’t have a lot of time to spend talking to people I don’t know. If it is someone I know I either email them or pick up the phone.
I am particularly concerned about the impact on F2F relationships because I see so many people with their heads in their cell phones connecting with their “friends” (on Facebook) – when they’re sitting across the table from REAL friends & family.
I think it is definitely a reflection of issues in our society that everyone needs to “keep up” with everything everyone else is doing – almost a voyeurism. No wonder they don’t have anything to talk about when they meet F2F – they already know every thought and action someone has – long before they meet.
But while I don’t find it enjoyable and it doesn’t fit my personal preferences, I do recognize that I am in the minority – and either need to adapt or miss out. So yes, I have a twitter account and a facebook and a linked in account. And yes, I use them. But gosh, I’d much rather TALK to you – via voice or personal email without the entire world listening in!
Hey Frank,
I have heard a lot of comments from many people about social media. It seems to me the comments are pretty well split between those who love it and those who hate it and think its a waste of time.
Personally I am on Twitter, Linkedin, and Facbebook, but really do not have much time to be active on either. It seems to me to be an easy way to get sucked into something where one can spend a tone of time, but with questionable results.
So at this time I dabble in it and will see where it goes. It kind of reminds me of one of Isaac Asimov’s SciFi books where the robots do all the physical interacting and every person lives in their own home without any physical contact to any other living human being.
Hi Frank!
As you know, I’m an avid Facebook user. I think Facebook can be great resource for testing the waters of a new business. A lot of successful small businesses have started simply “by word of mouth” and what better way to keep your friends and colleagues up to date about the services your new potential business has to offer then by keeping them “posted” on Facebook.
Its a good way to acquire and do a few jobs just to see if the service your offering can be profitable without having to spend a lot of marketing dollars.
Also, correct me if I’m wrong here Frank, I have noticed that advertising on Facebook generally seems to be cheaper (cost per click), depending on your target market, then advertising with Google. Though you may not get as many clicks as you would with Google the clicks you do get are more relevant. You can target your customers/clients a little better since Facebook knows its users better then Google.
These comments are very helpful and informative. I don’t use social media as I should because I don’t have much time.
I was getting very involved in Facebook (at least I have my site tied in there) but then my account got hacked and I got soured on it.
Twitter is way too crowded for me to use well with my regular job and trying to create “stuff” for my business and take classes. I don’t think I’ve gotten any great ideas from twitter. it was helpful and useful during the two blog challenges we had last year but other than that?
Terrie
WOW – thanks everyone for the feedback AND tips. I’m still looking at the best ways to use social media just like everything else it is every changing. I was curious since this is a post about social media if anyone would post their “find me on” links LOL 😉
I agree with Nick and Carla using it as a “connection” to get to meet someone and follow up offline is great. And Carla I had no idea how you found me but thanks for sharing that AND for attending my classes.
Ely – Thanks for the detailed info on usage and I agree set time limits.
Jeanette – yes there is a time and place for everything!
Josef – I think I’ve read that one – been along time since I’ve read any Asimov.
Joel – I’ve not tested fb ads yet but I have some friends that have and it can be as cheap or cheaper if you test enough ads and pricing. (for the other posters here if your looking for help with your WordPress sites I think Joel is available for hire on assistance with them. correct me if I’m wrong here)
Terri – I’m glad you are finding something useful here. I agree Hackers are a kill joy no matter what the platform.
Hey Frank,
Great discussion.
I use twitter – partially to promote my ADHD info and partially just for fun.
I have a personal facebook account – which I really just use for personal stuff (>95% of people are really friends, or I worked somewhere with them, or went to school with them, etc.). I have just registered for a facebook fan page – but haven’t really set it up – but that is in the plans for 2011 – to build and grow that facebook fan page.