Social networking has past the threshold of becoming a part of the social fabric. Like Jeff Foxworthy’s “you know you’re a redneck when…” you can similarly say technology is part of the mainstream when…
It becomes a verb
I recently heard the phrase “he myspaced me” in a movie. Remember when Google became a verb?
There are worries about addiction.
Do you have FAD (Facebook Addiction Disorder)? Yes, it’s really called FAD. Google it if you don’t believe me. Does that mean Google addiction would be called GAD? And of course, Myspace addiction would be MAD.
They try to pass laws against it.
There are already laws restricting cell phone usage will driving. Check out my blog entry called “Have not Fear, Hands Free is Here! (http://biologyoftechnology.com/?p=7)
Up next are laws banning texting and updating your Facebook page while stopped at red lights. Yet there are no laws stopping me from getting behind the wheel while eating sushi with so much wasabi that my eyes are flooded.
If you don’t embrace it you get left behind
Remember when you were considered behind the times when you did not have a fax number on your business card? For that matter, do you even remember the last time you sent or received a fax?
This last one is what I want to underscore in terms of the social networking trend. You can no longer ignore it and you certainly can’t fight it. The sooner you embrace social networking the better off you and your business will be.
Every businessperson knows that when they pack their bags and head to a big business conference it is usually not the sessions when the real business takes place. It is at the restaurants and bars after the meetings where the real deals occur. Facebook is a virtual bar where you can make important connections that can lead to business.
For this post I am going to focus on Facebook. (And not just because the phrase, “focus on Facebook” is good alliteration.) Just to be fair, http://www.linkedin.com/ is the total business networking and you should setup a profile. If Facebook is the bar you go to at a business conference, Linkedin is the actual conference. And while http://www.myspace.com/ has somewhat realigned toward music and the young, it should not be ignored by its shear size and recognition.
So how can you keep face and harness the power of social media. Here’s a few suggestions to get you started.
Setup a Facebook Profile
A Facebook profile is a person. It’s easy and free. Go to http://www.facebook.com/ and get started. Your Facebook profile is about you. Be honest and personal. Setup the info on your profile with the same skills you would at a business cocktail party striking that balance between being interesting but not self absorbed. Upload photos of you, your family, your pets, and places you’re been. I suggest stirring clear of the “skin” pictures even if you have the bod for it. You might be able to get away with a family picture from a beach vacation, but don’t over do it. Do I even need to address that you should never post a photo doing anything with any type of bong or pipe? That’s the quickest way to loose face. It will come back to haunt you.
Setup a Facebook Page.
A Facebook page is a thing, such as your business or organization. It can also be an event or anything you want to showcase. Here’s how Facebook describes a page:
http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages
Checkout my Facebook page for TechAdvocate Solutions:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-GA/TechAdvocate-Solutions/49186883565
Feed your Facebook Page
You should setup your Facebook page so that it feeds from your blog. This blog feeds directly to my Facebook and Myspace pages. Check out my Myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/rhowington
Feeling a bit shy when it comes to social networking?
Let us help. Click on the following link and let us know how we can help you keep face on Facebook.
http://www.techadvocate-solutions.com/contactus.php
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