<p>It is likely that all those who live in “open” societies [all but N. Korea and Myanmar] have heard of SN even if they call it by another name.</p>
<p>I first heard about it at Linked In, and at Associated Content, we have been advised to “carry” our writings over to these two SN sites to spread out the readership of our materials–as we get a few more pennies a month when more people read our articles.</p>
<p>Ladies and gentlemen, a few pennies a month or even a few dollars a month is not what you want for a profitable business; you want sustained increases in business that total 3-5-10% per mo–though some of you will be happy to get those increases per annum!</p>
<p>I have nicknamed Social Networking as akin to an electronic bar [watering hole] without the booze. A place to get together with friends and rarely, a client.</p>
<p>At the site called Linked In, where I first became involved in Social Networking, with a claimed membership of 400,000 members– a few of those who post regularly claim miracle benefits from SN. One claims a new client [no profit $s offered] and another claims Dell Computers has gained from it. I will give them both their claims. One new client and perhaps 5 new clients. 6 new clients from a messaging/dynamic that has traveled around the world especially since the government upheaval in Myanmar and Iran.</p>
<p>6 new clients out of 6 BILLION people. Let’s go another step further. Let’s presume that of the 6 billion people who have heard of social networking, that ½ a billion have used it. I have even used it without knowing what I was doing. I did not INTENTIONALLY involve e with Social Networking–but I have intentionally involved with any place that seems as if it can lead to new customers.</p>
<p>Taking a break; When we use TV, radio, magazine and other media for advertising, our medial sales people can inform us of how many readers/listeners will hear our message and of those, “statistically” how many will make a call-send an email.</p>
<p>IF those media did not work, they would go out of business. They work.</p>
<p>They are specific media to both inform and entertain while bringing in customers dollars to repay for the cost of the messages and bring the advertiser more profits.</p>
<p>Social Networking has no known focus. No recognized business plan. I am sure it has both–but without those SN creators volunteering same, we can only guess what their operating models are.</p>
<p>It is a fact that there are mini ads at Linked In. I don’t remember seeing same at Face book or Twitter but perhaps they are hiding somewhere.</p>
<p>I need to invest my time in profit oriented activities. Some times, I risk investments of time to see IF a process/activity can earn me new customers. In my own analysis of time investment with all my SN activities, I have subtlety mentioned my services and have posted them at Linked In. The response to those has been zero.</p>
<p>Biz Talk is 100% SN–for now. I have not read one word where one person has gained one penny directly from [traceable] SN activities.</p>
<p>Therefore, ladies and gents; as a business consultant, let me caution you about time investments in Social Networking; be very careful about it. I have even read where some enterprising young people are offering their services as SN experts. I have offered to let them take over my 3 SN sites. All they want to do is teach me how to use them. I have already “hooked up”/subscribed to them. I do not need someone to show me how to do that. I need the mysterious experts to bring my “existence” on any SN site to the public and show me how it brings me customers ready to hire me! Other than that, SN is of no direct value to me and I can’t see any further relevance to me.</p>
<p>My hypothesis is that SN is not just in its infancy [fact] but that its mannerisms and ways available to bring CUSTOMERS to SN message posters [like me] are still being worked out. I want someone to bring me customers via SN. IF you or it can’t, I will revert to my local bar and grill for MY most enjoyable way to social network.</p>
2009-10-22T15:43:22Z
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true
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35769
social-networking-is-not-what-you-think-it-is
2
2009-10-22T10:58:50Z
2009-10-22T18:00:24Z
SN is on all our lips; it is an attention grabber; it is also
a time eater. I want profits and customers bring me profits.
I see no DIRECT correlation between SN and new
customers.
Social Networking Is Not What You Think It Is
1
2009-10-22T18:00:50Z