Is Social Networking Getting Totally Out Of Hand?

Mel I agree with you on a lot of this - I'm also thinking you are a full service SEO client?  Personally I think people should focus on activities that they are comfortable with  and know that they will spend time on.  Even though I'm extensively involved in social networking - I really have a difficult time friending people I do not know - there is nothing wrong with that.

There are some of us here - I'd be the first one to admit - who are kind of mutant real estate agents - I really like the web/SEO side of things. So while the typical agent's sole purpose is to help people buy/sell real estate - for me it's not so simple and not something I plan on doing alone.

There are some really powerful ways to use social networking to create local community which should lead to buyers/sellers and more (non-search) eyeballs hitting your site.  Again, depends on your interests.

The key to social networking or any other business promoting practice is to understand both the desired effect and the likely effect of participating in the practice.  Social networking certainly has its place in pushing your marketing message out and drawing potential clients in, but it is not the next best thing since sliced bread--probably. 

When a new marketing trend gets enough traction to be noticed by a wide audience, it's probably something you should investigate.  But too many of us are stricken with the "herd" mentality and we choose to follow the masses as they meander randomly nowhere--when we would be a lot better off by taking the time to develop a rationale and sound strategy for implementing the new tool effectively in our business.

I'm still having a hard time seeing how Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter can benefit my business.  I'm not saying that they can't, I'm just saying that before I jump in and invest time and money, I want to think through how I can best integrate these tools into my business objectives.  Once I can see the value for me, let me "friend" away and tweet to my heart's content!

I agree with you Mel. I go through phases of using the social networks often and then other times I cannot be bothered with them. A friend of mine joined Facebook recently and he mentioned that he was going to erase his page. He didn't want to add another responsibility to his life. I can understand that point of view.

I do enjoy Facebook to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. My purpose for using it is for fun. I really don't login there thinking that I will get business from it. For generating business I believe there are better ways to spend my time.

Thanks for the comment Marc. I certainly hope that all is well with you in Sarasota. Pat and I are up there quite a bit going to her son's restaurant Zoria in Main Street. Let's link up some time!

Mel, being such an Internet junkie I sometimes think there's something wrong with me for not embracing some of the social networking sites with the vigor I think I should.  I have yet to Twitter and to me Facebook is a lot of noise.  I'll go on my page and see all of the stuff my "friends" are writing about and the silly tests they're taking (OK, I found out I'd be a poodle if I were a dog) and I lose interest.

I like my websites and my blogs and I'll put up profiles on different social sites but I just don't have the time or interest to spend on all of them.

Fully agree with you!!!

I like the honesty of this post.  Yes I feel that alot of people are using "social" networking for "business" networking.  Which is fine but at least be more honest about it.  Maybe I just haven't been using social networking right yet though.  I can see how it could be a useful tool for prospecting your sphere of influence if done correctly but at the same time you have to be careful with bothering your friends and family with commercial solicitations...