Are social networks worth the effort?

Author:

Chris Crawford

Date:

26 May 2009

Are you bombarded with requests to join Linkedin.com, Facebook.com, MySpace.com, Twitter.com, and the whole host of online social networks? If you’re not bombarded with requests to join, are you at least curious as to what these things are and if they are worth the effort?

The next generation of Internet applications is touted to be so-called Web 2.0, which promised new ways to connect with people and organizations using the Net. Sure enough, these “social network service” providers started cropping up and have become standard technology applications among many. Knowing about them, knowing which ones are worth the effort and knowing how to maximize their return are three distinctly different things. Let’s explore these questions in the order presented …

WHAT ARE THEY

For a description of these various services and their pros and cons, visit Wikipedia.org and look up “social network service.” According to Wikipedia, the way these things work is they allow users to create a profile for themselves, and can be broken down into two broad categories: internal social networking and external social networking. The translation is that you can sign onto one of these forums, create your profile and depending upon their features you can either let anyone see your information, or you can pick and choose who can.

WHICH ONES ARE WORTH THE EFFORT?

This, of course, is a personal choice. If you are a socially gregarious person, you might choose the mostly social networks such as Facebook or MySpace. If you are more business oriented, you might choose LinkedIn, which focuses on career-related aspects of networking. If you are a cell phone texting addict, you might choose Twitter that refines this activity into high art.

HOW TO MAXIMIZE THEIR RETURN

If you decide you want to build a network of business contacts, go to LinkedIn.com, register as a user, build your profile and look around for groups that reflect your career interests. Search around for people you know, send invitations to join each other’s networks and build your contact list accordingly. Give recommendations to those you know are trustworthy, and ask the same in return. I have seen these networks of business contacts produce paid contract work and even job offers when some have lost work in these tough economic times. If your interests are more social, choose one of the social networks and do pretty much the same thing.

OK, I’ll be honest … I don’t use Facebook or MySpace because these do not reflect my interests. I do use LinkedIn and have a respectably sizable network that includes three professional association groups and mutual recommendations. I think it’s also worth a cautionary note that social networks can be dangerous places for children without adult supervision; depending upon your child’s age, be sure you have administrative controls over their social network accounts and have a clear understanding that meeting anyone introduced to them online without your permission is not acceptable.

For adults, the way I can explain it best is that social networks are like belonging to a country club. What’s the use of joining if you don’t play golf or eat in the dining room? Business networks are like a membership in your chamber of commerce. Where’s the value of membership if you don’t attend mixers, have a ribbon cutting or otherwise get involved in chamber activities?

Speaking of business organizations, it’s a good idea to join your chamber of commerce, and it’s an even better idea to join and become active in the Redwood Technology Consortium. Meeting other local business and technology enthusiasts, and sharing experiences are great ways to improve the community and get things done

Crawford is president of Justice Served, a court management and technology consulting firm working with courts and justice agencies worldwide. He is an active member of the Redwood Technology Consortium and is Chairman of the Board for the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce.