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Post by:
reviewsnap
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RE:RE:RE:The business value eludes me
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At: 05/21/2008
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It definitely takes a balance of time and if you don't have the time it's hard to benefit from the social networks. However, if you can put time into them and maximize their capabilities you will find them very beneficial. Another B2B social network site that I like to use is called Konnects. It's similar to LinkedIn and can also be beneficial.
> > I hear you, Kathy. Some of my colleagues use LinkedIn much more than I do and find lots of value, but I'd kill the MySpace account. That's for younger folk and music fans and not the best B2B site. I'm still trying to get my Facebook account up and running because I have heard positive things about that social networking/B2B site.
> >
> > It definitely takes a balance of time and investment to get any value, but it's as much as you're willing to put in. The LinkedIn Q&A sections are great and I'm making more time to use the service. You may want to use that while you look for content management solutions.
> >
> > > I have looked at LinkedIn and MySpace, set up accounts, etc. However, faced with time constraints, I'm at a loss to develop any presence on these. I have, however, been contacted by people who want to sell me things. Is anybody profiting from these?
Chris Arringdale
VP of Marketing
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Post by:
Jonathan Goodman
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RE:The business value eludes me
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At: 04/21/2008
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Hi Kathy, I'm one of the colleagues that Kevin referred to, and I'm one of those folks who would probably try to get your attention via LinkedIn in a business deal or sales context (though only if your contact settings permit such contact - you have control over that).
LinkedIn: It's hard to say how or whether I've profited, though I highly value the social networking tools in which I've invested my time. I began with LinkedIn almost three years ago and converted to a paid account last fall. For me it's one more communications tool beyond the phone and traditional email. I also make regular use (many times per day) of the People Search function so I can better understand the individuals with who I am or wish to do business. Also, I hope others will do the same with me. If every sales person read my LI bio before calling me, we'd have much more efficient and effective discussions.
Facebook: this began as a purely social tool for me and remains that way for the most part. I had hoped to keep my "business life" out of it, but before too long business contacts began 'friending' me. So I just offer them a limited profile so that don't have to suffer through pictures of my dogs.
Twitter: I began to experiment more with Twitter in the past few months. I was very skeptical of Twitter but it's proven it's staying power and provides an interesting back channel of communication that fills a gap among blogs/podcasts/press releases/emails/phone calls, etc. So I think Twitter or tools like it are here to stay.
Finally, with all of these tools, they tend to have a snow ball effect. Or according to the most recent Fast Company, the networks grow by an effect called a viral loop! Think about that one. For the individual, they won't be immediately effective and they take time (over long stretches of time) to cultivate.
But just like with your professional networks in the situation where you're looking for a job, you want those networks to be already in place BEFORE you actually need them. My opinion is that sales and marketing professionals, along with recruiters and other business communicators, need to cultivate an online presence with these tools for needs foreseen and unforeseen.
> I hear you, Kathy. Some of my colleagues use LinkedIn much more than I do and find lots of value, but I'd kill the MySpace account. That's for younger folk and music fans and not the best B2B site. I'm still trying to get my Facebook account up and running because I have heard positive things about that social networking/B2B site.
>
> It definitely takes a balance of time and investment to get any value, but it's as much as you're willing to put in. The LinkedIn Q&A sections are great and I'm making more time to use the service. You may want to use that while you look for content management solutions.
>
> > I have looked at LinkedIn and MySpace, set up accounts, etc. However, faced with time constraints, I'm at a loss to develop any presence on these. I have, however, been contacted by people who want to sell me things. Is anybody profiting from these?
Jonathan Goodman
VP, Business & Membership Development
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