Smartmobs brings to light a divide between companies using social
networking tools such as LinkedIn, Ryze.com,
et al to recruit for professional positions, even executive-level ones — usually in conjunction with the more
traditional HR approach of tapping into 'non-virtual' social networks.
But some are questioning the usefulness of these sites in general, saying they make finding contacts more difficult
rather than more effective. Count Corante's Stowe Boyd among the latter, having recently started a campaign to
unlink
himself from
the dozens of social services of which he is a member, citing essentially a too-low signal to noise ratio in the
contacts he's received through the services.
What's your take on this? Do you participate in social networking as a business tool, or do you find it of little
value? Have any of you considered or started to unlink yourselves from these services?
How do you use social networking sites - or do you?
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Most of these early social networking sites are tools built by geeks for geeks. I predict that by the middle of this year 05' we will start to see much more intuitive GUIs as the face of products that less-geeky users actually think they NEED. Early adoptors always help pave the way but too often get caught up in the mixture of material the road is made out of instead of the destination.
Posted at 8:05PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Matt
4. I've also signed up for a number of networking services, but every time I sign up, it gets more and more tiresome...or perhaps I lose the motivation, to fill out a brand new and exciting profile for myself. What typically ends up happening, is that I just end up browsing other users and of course, hardly ever get in touch with them, unles I really sit down and write that profile AGAIN and AGAIN.
At the same time, I still find them useful. Perhaps the problem is, there are so many, its difficult to determine which one will be truly useful (hence the lack of motivation to spend excessive amounts of time on all of them).
5. I've also signed up for a number of networking services, but every time I sign up, it gets more and more tiresome...or perhaps I lose the motivation, to fill out a brand new and exciting profile for myself. What typically ends up happening, is that I just end up browsing other users and of course, hardly ever get in touch with them, unles I really sit down and write that profile AGAIN and AGAIN.
At the same time, I still find them useful. Perhaps the problem is, there are so many, its difficult to determine which one will be truly useful (hence the lack of motivation to spend excessive amounts of time on all of them).
6. Call for evidence on the benefits of online social networking
Over the past two years a number of online social networks have sprung up. While there is plenty of information about the value of real world networking (business clubs, social clubs, exclusive schools etc) the subject of online social networking for business and academia is relatively new.
Platforms like
- Academici.com (research and higher education)
- Cap-up.de Germany
- Ecademy.com UK
- everyonesconnected.com USA
- Flickr.com - photography / USA
- Itsnotwhatyouknow.com / Knowmentum USA
- LinkedIn.com, USA
- MeetUp.com, USA
- openBC.com, Germany
- Orkut - invitation only, USA
- RYZE USA
- SmallWorld.net
- Soflow.com UK
- Spoke
- Tribe.net USA
- viaduc.com - francophone network
- Zerodegrees USA
have attracted millions of members spending varying amounts of time and effort in social networking online. The question arising out of billions of hours spend online are:
- Is there value in online networking?
- Who is achieving value?
- How is it achieved?
For research in Business studies at the University of Liverpool I am calling for anecdotal examples on which I would like to investigate any possible economic benefits and how/why it was achieved through online social networking.
If you would please take a moment responding with some (free text) examples of benefits or failures of social networking.
If you prefer not to submit your example to this forum you can also contact my on: networking@exactresults.com
All examples submitted will be dealt with in confidence. Thank you for your cooperation.
Posted at 8:05PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Klaas Brumann
7. My take on this is that Social Networking sites are crucial to my business, yet from this vantage point I can see how easy it is to wind up in the high static/low connnection rate. My advice is to find UP TO 50 sites that YOU have a personal interest in, and stick to a schedule of ONCE or TWICE a week (no more no less) participating for at least 3 months. The problem is the mentality - most people want immediate results, but it is those that are visible over a consistent period that become 'famous' or at least well known at any particular site. At the end of 3 months, you should know which sites are worth your time or not, maybe even sooner. Cut out the losing sites and double your energies on the winning ones! Establishing yourself at 25 highly targeted sites will bring high quality contacts for you and your business, and if you provide excellent service, then the beauty of word of mouth kicks in, leaving you free from marketing to handle business.
K hope this helps!
~Julie
1. I have joined several social networks over the past year or so and some have stuck and some have not. Sometimes it is a matter of finding the time necessary to learn new tools or community functions. For example, I was a "listening" member of WebJay for quite a while before creating my own playlists. Now I spend more time creating playlists. Some networks require more effort or commitment, for example 43 Things or SmartCommons. Some, like Linked in, are fun initially, but are slow to return real value. Some, like del.icio.us become standard "watering-holes." Isn't it the same with all social groups? Most come and go, some remain.
Posted at 8:05PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Markus Sandy