It was a little over a year ago that I started my social media journey. My engagement on Facebook increased and I learned how to use twitter. As a result, I met lots of great people who are now friends across platforms and LIVE. Earlier this year I started this blog. What an adventure it has been.
My purpose for entering the world of social media was to meet new people in the hopes that some would become friends and some might become business partners.
Along the way, I have learned an enormous amount, found untold resources, made some life changing relationships and met some fun, caring people.
Also, along the way, I have spent time that could have been better spent elsewhere. How did I let this happen? Why did I let this happen?
Actually I think it is the combination of the fact that the online world probably has more “Bright Shiny Objects” than any place else on the planet coupled with my desire to build or to strengthen relationships. Thus, when people asked me to join them on ____________, I did.
What’s happened is that I joined and, in most instances, have not even completed the profile. Or, if I did that, I didn’t do much else. Because of that, I keep feeling “guilty” that I am not following through. Quite honestly, I should have followed my own advice and said NO. To do something which causes me to feel less than good, is against my beliefs.
To me, if online resources make your efforts more effective, easier or you otherwise see value in them, by all means, do them. If you don’t, stop.
Recently I wrote about 3 EZ Tools to Expand your Presence that make a difference. What I like about them, is they are easy to set up and to use. In fact, since I wrote that, I have made several scoop.its and now love the service. For me, those are keepers.
Unless you have been living in a cave, for the last month you would have been aware of the brouhaha over the change in the algorithm of Klout. In fact, so much was written about it, that I created a scoop.it on it. The reason I bring it up in this post is because of the inordinate amount of time people were spending in an effort to increase their scores.
In hindsight, I’m thinking we should write Klout a Thank You note because many people stopped, looked at what they were doing, thought about it and how it related to the big picture of what they wanted to achieve, realized it didn’t and gained back control of large blocks of time.
People realized they were letting a third party, a marketing company, decide connections, interactions and amount of time they needed to spend to reach/maintain the score they wanted. Along with many of my other friends, I deleted my Klout profile weeks ago for a variety of reasons. Ironically, two of those people Pam Moore (@pammktgnut) and Jure Klepic (@jkcallas) were listed today in an article by Forbes on top influencers in Social Media. Congratulations Pam and Jure on a well deserved honor. You two do Social Media Right!
While Klout called itself the “Standard of Influence,” I don’t believe many are in agreement with that tag line. Coming over the horizon is a new service called Kred which will tell you about influence, however, in an entirely different way. This Bright Shiny Object I am going to learn and to participate in actively. Why? Because it is all about building communities in areas that are of interest to each person. Kred seems to be about building relationships and communities. It also looks at your activities offline as well which I like. After all, we are far more than the time we spend online.
In terms of some of the other platforms I have joined or been asked to join like commonred, commun.it, circle.me, connect.me, etc. I simply can’t do it. While no doubt there is benefit to each of them, when I look at the trade off for my time, it’s not. Heck, even Google + doesn’t do it for me; Happily, I had no problem whatsoever when a group wanted to get together with their G+ business pages. Yikes! When will the demands on our time end?
What prompted this rant, besides my own increasing awareness, is that I noticed in a private group on Facebook, someone suggested that everyone go “Like” someone’s blog. People were dropping their URLs into the stream and many will no doubt spend their time visiting blogs to Like a particular post. To me, that activity neither builds a relationship nor a blog.
It seems to me that I am better off engaging with the people who matter to me, nurturing those relationships and networking with each other. Last night I was on a tweetchat with @DabneyPorte and @MamaBritt, smiled the entire time and felt good when it was over. Why? Because those ladies know how to build a community and to encourage support among the members of the community. That’s why I joined the online world and participate in social media—I want to meet people, support people as well as find new friends and business associates along the way. Plain and simple, my interest is people—meeting them and engaging with them—not in learning a laundry list of tools and platforms.
How about you?
Do you ever feel that the online world is draining your time?
How do stop the drain?
Are you overwhelmed by the number of new platforms launching almost daily?
Do you join and drop or do you continue to juggle an increasing number of balls?
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janet@janetcallaway.com
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The title of this post really caught my eye. I did’t just derail, I crashed & burned! Because I couldn’t (wouldn’t) outsource anything, I was managing all the social media until it seemed like it was becoming a full time job. But wait! I already had a full time job and it was suffering. I now blog in a much more limited fashion. Instead of being knee deep in facebook, twitter, and all the “see and be seen” forums, I just dangle a toe. I’m happier because I’ve found more time to have quality relationships both in and out my beautiful silver laptop. Those relationships are the ones that deliver both to my heart and to my business. For me, word of mouth is the best marketing strategy. Of course, I do need to use social media, but the balance I’ve found is liberating.
Keyuri Joshi recently posted..iPadding Children. Critical Information for Parents
Keyuri, aloha. Thanks for letting me know the title caught your eye. As it happens, I can remember when you felt you were in a downward spiral and stepped back from your blogging. Keyuri, you were so wise to do so.
It is so easy to get caught up in the “shoulds” we seem to hear from everyone. We all have to find our market, our voice and do what’s best for what we want to accomplish. Congratulations to you, Keyuri, for finding the balance that works for you.
Recently one of my blogging and tweetchat friends wrote a post which contains some excellent information and advice you may well want to share with the parents you coach. Bruce also runs #DadChat, which is not just for Dad or even parents, for that matter, every Thursday evening. Should you want more details, let me know. Here’s the link to his post which I enjoyed so much:
http://www.brucesallan.com/index.php/mycolumn/470-money-money-money-and-more-money
Good to see you, Keyuri. Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful weekend. Aloha. Janet
Aloha Janet.
What a small world! I know of Bruce Sallan from a LinkedIN group that we share.
I appreciate you sharing his link.
Keyuri Joshi recently posted..iPadding Children. Critical Information for Parents
Keyuri, aloha. How great that you already know Bruce; he’s terrific. His blog has many great tips and his tweetchat is lively.
Keyuri, do let me know if you enjoyed his post as much as I did. Enjoy a Spectacular Sunday. Aloha. Janet
Indeed I did Janet! Left him a comment too. He speaks about parents being a role model. It is a powerful role with incredible influence.
Aloha.
k
Keyuri Joshi recently posted..iPadding Children. Critical Information for Parents
Hi Janet,
I was lucky not to get caught up into trying to actively raise my Klout score. My regular job keeps me busy enouugh, and I do my blogging and social media activities on the side. That meant that I was forced to do the things that were most efficient to me. That meant focusing on the practical things of actually increasing my followers and engaging in a productive fashion.
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Rich, aloha. From your comments, I suspect that even if your regular job did not keep you so busy it seems unlikely you would have been caught up in the Klout chase. Rich, you are much better off for where you focused. For me, it was sad to see so many people chasing something that did not bring them closer to what they wanted–unless having a high Klout score “just to do it” was what mattered to them.
Enjoy a fantastic weekend. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, My Klout score is a complete mystery to me. I have no idea why it goes up or down, so I don’t try to manipulate it because I don’t know how to!
I’m like you, I’ve been dipping my toe into various social media start ups. I register, but I probably won’t go back unless prompted to. The reason I sign up for them (usually at the recommendation of a trusted colleague) is because of Triberr. I signed up for a tribe in the beginning when I hadn’t heard of Triberr, but trusted someone and was the second person in his tribe. Triberr has been not only an incredible source of traffic for my blog, I have met dear friends through Triberr, including you, Janet!
You’re right, though, the various sites have become a time drain. I’m not sure how many more sites I can check in on before Social Media begins to completely overtake my time!
—By the way, your image is very powerful. My husband was on a train that derailed a few years ago. He wasn’t hurt but others were. My girls and I watched the news coverage via the helicopters above the scene. We saw my husband talking on the phone with us! Still very scary, even years later.
Have a fantastic weekend, Janet!
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Carolyn, aloha. WOW! What an experience that must have been. So glad that your husband was not hurt and my apologies for an image that dredged up unpleasant memories.
Carolyn, I am so glad I wrote this post because as I was typing it I was thinking matters through more and more. And then, as often is the case, as I have been responding to comments, I became even stronger in my convictions.
Better to do a few things well than lots of things poorly. Carolyn, blgos, twitter and facebook are my favorites so that’s where you will find me. Look forward to seeing you in all those old familiar places. Hope you and your family are enjoying a Spectaculaar Sunday. Aloha. Janet
No need to apologize, Janet. Whenever I mention that my husband was on a train that dereailed, people are always surprised (not that it comes up that often). It’s such a rare occurrence, thankfully, that it surprises people when they hear someone who was on a train that derailed. Compare that to a car accident, which are much more common.
In my most humble opinion, Janet, you are aces on Triberr as well!
What is your opinion on signing up for new social media sites? We wouldn’t want to miss out on the next Triberr, Twitter or Facebook. Do we sign up and hope for the best or do we ignore them at the risk of missing out on the next Big Thing?
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I participate in the things that interest me most and leave the others for someone else. There is a finite amount of time so I do my best to focus mine carefully. Can’t say that I am always successful but I am pretty good about not taking on more than I can handle.
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right you are, Jack. No matter how talented we are, none of us can make more time.
Hope you and your children are enjoying a wonderful Sunday together. Aloha. Janet
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Janet, it’s something I am wrestling with very much at the moment!
I too have tended to follow the crowd, signing up for most things I am invited to in case I miss out on the ‘next big thing’. I am trying to be in too many places and as a consequence I am feeling that I have lost the essence of what the social media world meant to me and that I’m no longer really enjoying being a part of it.
So thank you for letting me know that I’m not alone in this, you have motivated me to do something about it and a number of accounts will, I think be closing this week so I can concentrate on getting back to basics, having some fun and connecting with people in a genuine way.
Thanks for a great article and for getting me back on track
Tony
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Tony, aloha. Good to see you. Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know where you are on the journey. Interestingly enough, a friend who started the journey at about the same time finds herself in the same place.
As it happens, Tony, I am so glad I wrote this post because as I was typing it I was thinking matters through more and more. And then, as often is the case, as I have been responding to comments, I became even stronger in my convictions.
In my opinion, it’s better to do a few platforms well than lots poorly which, as I think about it, reflects negatively on you thus destroying a part of what you want to accomplish. Tony, blogs, twitter and facebook are my favorites so that’s where you will find me. Look forward to seeing you in all those old familiar places.
Best wishes for a terrific week ahead. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Hi Janet,
You got my attention! I had to quit wasting my time as well. It’s been a couple of months since I got off the roller coaster. We started this about the same time and you took it to a much higher level than me, but I too was completely caught up with the shiny objects.
I now have to find a happy medium. It looks like you have. Developing relationships takes time just like off-line, and I’ve met some wonderful people, but have not accomplished what I set out to do.
Connie
Connie, aloha. So good to see and to reconnect with you again. Since both of us are “information junkies” the lure was strong. While I am glad for what I have learned and experienced, it’s time to focus on what matters–the people and the relationships.
Ironically, Connie, this morning when I checked my e-mail and received a notice of a special webinar “TODAY ONLY” I thought of you and how we used to always make sure the other knew about each new webinar. As I have for a quite a while, I did not even open the e-mail, I just hit delete.
Connie, we have the tools and the knowledge we need to accomplish what we want. It’s time to focus on our goals. Look forward to talking with you in the not too distant future. In the meantime, thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know where you are on the journey. None of the others who started with us are on the journey at all. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Aloha Janet!
There are times I wish we didn’t have so many social medias, and just 1-2 would be good enough with limited number of good friends to build our relationships. However, that is not to be, and with so many new social networks coming up it sure gets tough to be all over, all the time!
I guess we do need to pick the places we want to be in, depending on our friends circle or where our acquaintances may be, though that again depends on our reach. While I am on most of them, there are still others I have not tapped on as yet, just because of the time restraint to handle so many.
Yes indeed, the klout score sure seems to be playing games with everyone. It goes high one day or just dips so low another, though I hardly care about it much now.
Thanks so much for sharing your views with everyone, and hope you are having a wonderful weekend as well.
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Leena, aloha. Good to see you. While being everywhere no doubt works for many, it simply doesn’t work for me. Perhaps if I invested the time, I could figure out a system to make it more time effective. However, Leena, I need to look at where the bulk of my target audience is and go there. Because of what you do, I can understand why you need to be present on more platforms.
As it turns out, Leena, I am glad I wrote this post because as I was typing it I was thinking matters through more and more. And then, as often is the case, as I have been responding to comments, I became even stronger in my convictions.
For me, I feel its better to do a few platforms well than lots poorly which would reflect negatively on me and hinder what I want to accomplish. Leena, blogs, twitter and facebook are my favorites so that’s where you will find me. Look forward to seeing you in all those old familiar places.
When you think about it, if you can’t build a relationship with someone and you interact with them on 3 or 4 places already, it’s not too likely that if you add 4 more you will interact with them any better.
Hope you and your family are enjoying a Spectacular Sunday. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Everyone needs to rant now and then Janet! I mean we all have opinions on certain things so I believe if you want to stay true to yourself you won’t be able to keep your opinions to yourself. Aren’t the best blog posts suppose to start a conversation?
I deleted my Klout account a little while back as well. I’m more than a number and I’m not obsessed about getting mine high. I have more important things to do and I believe I already have a great community as it is. Can it always be better? Maybe, maybe not because like you said Janet, we’re here to build a community so how can we do that if we don’t have time to actually build those relationships. You are always trying to be everywhere at the same time just to keep up. It’s exhausting.
I try to get on Google+ but I have other things to do so I stay on the sites I enjoy more when that time is allotted.
I also can appreciate people wanting more recognition when they are just getting started but they will soon learn that trying to get your numbers up isn’t going to keep regular readers. That’s what you are aiming for because that’s how relationships and businesses are built.
Thank you for sharing this Janet and for letting us know how you feel about these issues. I can most definitely relate young lady.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I’ll be catching up with you again soon.
~Adrienne
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Adrienne, aloha. It’s human nature, I guess, to want to know how we “measure up” to others–be it “at large” vs someone in particular. The unfortunate thing is that newbies thought raising their scores meant they were doing social media right. Rather, it meant they were doing what worked for Klout’s business which is not the same as each individuals. Alexa ratings get to be the same chase. People become more concerned about doing the “right” things to lower their score rather than looking at the relationships they are building or where they take the people they interact with on their blogs. As Steve Scott would say, it’s the conversions that matter.
Adrienne, I think this is my first true rant post and I have to tell you that I am very glad I wrote it because as I was typing it I was thinking matters through more and more. And then, as often is the case, as I have been responding to comments, I became even stronger in my convictions.
In my opinion, it’s better to do a few platforms well than lots poorly which ends up reflecting negatively and hindering you in what you want to accomplish.. Adrienne, blogs, twitter and facebook are my favorites so that’s where you will find me. Look forward to seeing you in all those old familiar places.
Hope you are enjoying a Spectacular Sunday. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Janet,
It is interesting to see this whole Klout fiasco. It seems with all the negative publicity they have made a pretty big gaffe in their system.
I know I have a Klout score, I have even looked at it once or twice. But it is something that has nver concerned me.
First of all I just don’t do social media well enough. I am constantly on the “i need to do more” side. Constant enough that I may as well admit to myself that i will probably never connect with it as much as I could/should.
But I think you have it nailed….engage with the people that matter to you….they are really the only ones who matter anyhow. who cares if it advances some arbitrary number.
Does it work for you and achieve:
1. Direct results
2. Deeper and stronger connections
Steve recently posted..Niche Affiliate Income Results [Update #1]
Steve, aloha. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Ironically, when I was responding to Adrienne, I referenced you. This is what I said to her:
“It’s human nature, I guess, to want to know how we “measure up” to others–be it “at large” vs someone in particular. The unfortunate thing is that newbies thought raising their scores meant they were doing social media right. Rather, it meant they were doing what worked for Klout’s business which is not the same as each individuals. Alexa ratings get to be the same chase. People become more concerned about doing the “right” things to lower their score rather than looking at the relationships they are building or where they take the people they interact with on their blogs. As Steve Scott would say, it’s the conversions that matter.”
Steve, what I was so appreciate about you is that you do know where you are going and you stay focused. You have a large and tight community. You engage with the people who matter to you–those who are interested in what you have to say as well as those who add value to the great discussions you always have going on in your comments section.
Writing this post was therapeutic for me and as I responded to comments my convictions became stronger in where I am going to spend my time. Happily, I see that this topic resonated with a few others who are now going to get themselves back on track.
Best wishes to you for a wonderful week ahead. Until later, aloha. Janet
Janet,
I, like you, deleted my Klout account a long time ago for several reasons, One of the biggest reasons is because we are so much more than a score. We are more valuable than that. There are some people that I find extremely influential and they can not spend much time on SM, so their scores were low and I thought that was unfair.
I definitely have wasted some time on SM–more than I should have. But, for the most part, I feel most of my time is valuable. The connections that I have made are uplifting and have made me a better person.
I also did join many networks that are on the back burner for when I have more time–but for now, I simply can not keep up with them all and I am ok with that.
Hope you have a great week Janet!
Joanne Cipressi recently posted..Change Starts with You
Joanne, aloha. Thx so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. You’re right, Joanne, we are far more valuable than a number.
What I especially appreciated about reading your comment, Joanne, is how it felt in peace and harmony. You know who you are, what matters to you and are creating the life that matters to you. Congratulations. No wonder you always look so smiling and serene. (Do go to gravatar and upload your picture so everyone can see your beauty and your calm.)
Best wishes for a joyous week filled with abundance in all things that matter to you. Until next time, aloha. Janet
It is clearly a balancing act as Social Media can suck up your time. But, learning everything new, for me, is a bit much. I’ve yet to really learn/do Google + or Empire Ave and I don’t know if I want to. ChimeIn is cool and I was there from before their launch but I’m not sure I can allocate the time needed beyond what I now do hosting #DadChat, tweeting, and maintaining my Facebook Page with 12 posts per week. That doesn’t include writing for 12Most (15 to date), my own weekly “A Dad’s Point-of-View” column, preparing and broadcasting my radio show, writing and helping do the “Because I Said So” comic strip each week, and the occasional conference where I’m fully consumed for several days.
Plus, I ski 30-40 days a year – that’s where I am right now. Life is busy, fun, and there’s still not enough hours in the day!
Bruce Sallan recently posted..NEWS OF THE MOMENT
Bruce, aloha. If we could only figure out how to manufacture more time . . . Thanks so much for skiing down to comment on this post: I appreciate it. Bruce, life is meant to be enjoyed, savored and experience and, from what I observe, you seem to be doing an excellent job of that.
Bruce, writing this post was therapeutic for me because as I typed I thought through what I was saying. Then, as often is the case, as I have been responding to comments, I became even stronger in my convictions.
For me, I feel its better to do a few platforms well than lots poorly which would reflect negatively on me and hinder what I want to accomplish. Bruce, blogs, twitter and facebook are my favorites so that’s where you will find me. Look forward to seeing you in all those old familiar places, in our tribes and on chats.
Let’s face it, Bruce, if a person can’t build a relationship someone they interact with them on 3 or 4 places, it’s not too likely that if you add 4 more you will interact with them any better.
Happy trails to you. Wishing you an abundance of powder and a fabulous time. Until later, aloha. Janet
P.S. In My Grass is Greener post I linked Keyuri to your Money post. She came back and said she was already connected with you on LI. Small world indeed.
Hi Janet,
I consider myself fortunate for not knowing anything about Klout at all. Because of that I did not have to get caught up with all the hooha with their changes at their moment. There is a good lesson here for us all – why are we allowing other people to determine what’s important in what we do. I think we are all the most important judge of our work as long as we are true to our purpose and passion of life.
My current social media involvement is just Twitter, blog, and a bit of stumble upon. Beyond that I do not have the time for much more. I suppose that Facebook would eventually surface somewhere. I find that spending too much time on social media is just not as valuable as inter-personal connections with real life loved ones in our midst. This social media circle will no end though.
Jimmy recently posted..The Needs of Our Souls for Inspired Living
Janet, your timing is perfect. After having looked at my Klout score for the first time in over two months, I was puzzled at first because my score had dropped over 20 points, along with all the other measurements. Then as I started to figure out what was going on I came across all the discussion from you, Pam, Jure and others I just got angry. Angry at Klout for wasting my time and at myself for caring about it.
I have since disconnected from Klout, (who knows if I unplugged everything) and marked it all up as a valuable reminder. EVERYTHING you do in life should have a purpose, and if not, don’t waste your time or money.
Thanks for helping me get perspective back!
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Hi Janet,
I was immediately drawn to your post title. Klout was suggested to me by a blogging friend and like some of the other comments, I really don’t know what I would need to do to increase my score. I’m focusing on twitter and Facebook for now and just watching, listening, and reading blogs like yours to get information on any other social media that is worth my time.
Blogging, answering emails from parents concerned about their children and supporting others in spreading awareness is where I want to spend my time. I like to use social media to spread my reach, but it can easily take up too much of my time.
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Hi Janet,
In the past I am sure I have voiced my frustration to you about the never ending release of new social media related tools and sites.
Janet much of this was related to my fear of not being able to keep up. How easily we fall into “competitive mode”, no matter how far we may like to think we are along the path.
You are right when you say that there are just far too many bright shiny objects online, however this will never come to an end. In fact I believe it will only intensify. The only way one can deal with this is by dealing with oneself.
It’s fine knowing what is available but one does not have to be a part of it all. We can choose! Decide what is in alignment with oneself and one’s goals and then focus. Less has always been more because then the focus is on quality.
In fact Janet you may have observed that I have pulled back a lot from social media recently. This won’t be permanent but I wanted to feel the relief of regaining control and letting go was the way for me to do so. While I have been doing this I have had time to just relax more, observe and chat to a few people along the way too.
I recently chatted to a guy who has a very successful business ($10 000 per month), He has only ever used and still only uses….. believe it or not, “My Space”. He told me that when he thought he was close to exhausting all the opportunities there he may look further afield. That was a huge eye opener for me.
Janet, as a small kid I remember telling my Mom that everybody was my best friend. I still remember her sitting me down and saying how proud she was that I wanted to treat everybody as such.
She added that while this was a noble intention, it was not practical. Best friends were called this because they were special and required extra effort and time. It was simply not possible to have too many best friends as I would run out of time. If this happened none of them would get the special time and effort required and then none of them would be my best friends.
It was a simple lesson about making choices and committing to those choices. It is a lesson I learned that day which is probably why I am still so close to and have remained in contact with three of my childhood best friends for 40 years.
If you ask me it’s a lesson that also relates to social media!
Wishing you a fantastic new week!
~Marcus
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Hi Janet,
love your rant, thanks a lot for sharing your insights. I focus on a few social media platforms – the big ones – and that’s about it. I reject any invitation to the next shiny object even though I might miss out on something. It’s not my business to help Google+ to beat Facebook, is it ?
I also refuse to look at metrics, especially when the data is processed by someone else. Alexa ? Klout ? I mean, who cares ? And if someone cares, should they ?
The sad highlight in the past days were the canned messages I – and many others – received because people wanted us to vote for them in a certain blog contest. I mean, votes in contests have to come naturally and not by spamming people, right ? I was shocked because even good friends got trapped and did so…
Of course, I am all about promoting, but is this the correct way doing it ?
Keep up your great work !
Be blessed
Oliver
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Janet, I loved the Bright Shiny Object comparison. Being social is definitely a time sink, and the return on that investment from a bottom line standpoint can have a long lead time. However, the return on investment in the RELATIONSHIPS can be immediate w/some great long-term effects. I count you on that list of people I engage with weekly…and come away better for it each time.
Regarding the promotion of a member URL within a private group, I have recently been a culprit in doing that. I have company infographics that did not go through my blog to a syndication site. Instead, these infographics are posted directly to the syndication site. That means my tribe that is on Triberr/etc would not see the URL in my feed. Since that tribe has been built on a foundation of trust, I did promote the URL. Of course I also “apologized” for the self-promotion and mentioned that I would be happy to not do further self-promotion in the future if it violated an unwritten agreement.
At some point, I/we have to be willing to ask for tribal promotion. Our best advocates are the ones with whom we have the best relationships. At least, that is what I keep telling myself…:)
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Janet, this info was very helpful. I am just two months into this blogging venture and am awestruck at the depth of it all. In addition I am already feeling the pinch of time to keep the site current, and I still don’t have several of the connections I could/should have. Step by step……I am accepting it’s ok to grow as I know……….. and hopefully make good calculated decisions about the who-what-when along the way. Your sharing your experiences just further help “greenies” like me.
What I do know is I love to write…have lots to say ’bout lots of stuff…..and really enjoy learning/sharing with others. Blogging is perfect for it, and I get to relax in my p.j’s to do it. How cool is that!!!!!!
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Nice job, Janet. It is so awesome that this sounds like it came from my own brain. In fact, I laughed because I even wrote something a while back that was complete with derailed trains and all. Great minds think alike.
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Janet, aloha
Talking about me I have entered in social media from last many months and I enjoyed lot but my policy is to mostly keep it upto social concern only and do little business if I fill right.
And due to this it works for me as entertainment in between works which make me refresh and sometimes I get business also.
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Hey Janet,
Good morning.
It is a very interesting post. With your kind of experience, I am sure what you are trying to tell makes a lot of sense.
I know many people will not like it but blogging to me is like a Business with a lot of human touch. Blogging grows because you connect with people and they connect with you. It has a particular aim for e..g teaching, sharing and learning. It has to have deep focus other wise person running the blog would be inclined to close it sooner or later( I know many have). Thus it is has got everything that a business needs to survive with additional responsibility of being social.
Now people need to measure their blogging net worth which includes how much influential they are. For some people, it matters a lot. Thus companies like Klout have so much prominence.
In my opinion, however every network we join in brings additional responsibility on our limited time. If it is really serving the purpose,it makes sense to continue otherwise we are better off keeping away from them.
I have been invited to many such networks and I have not been able to join them. It makes me guilty but then business sense tells me to optimize my time to the networks through which I get the most engagement.. I want to be on all networks I have been invited to but I cannot with the limited 24 hours I have.
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At the end of the day, you have to pick a platform and strategy and move forward. You can adjust overtime, but just keeping up with the new technologies is a full-time challenge. What is important is that you are consistent on whatever platforms you plan on, and that your platfom fully support your brand (and messaging). Maybe an option is to set aside a certain amount of timer per week (2 hour), to explore new platform options – but that is it. This way you limit your efforts and focus on what is really important – your brand.
Good luck – and happy holidays!
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There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages of social media. We just have to learn to control ourselves on where we should be spending much of our time. Thanks for this very useful post.
Great insight, Janet!
I work full time, hold board positions on 2 professional associations, blog, support my blog in social media and have a personal life! My life is full enough without adding the newest, latest and greatest social media network.
Whenever the newest social media network is unveiled, I give it some time to see if that new network will actually add value. I held off signing up for Klout for months, and did sign up evenutally but haven’t done too much with it.
My influence is not a product or service- it’s all about living a great life. How the heck does that even get measured anyway? I’m less concerned with the number of people I’ve influenced and more concerned with the individual I’ve influenced and the relationship I build with that individual, which is not something Klout or any other site can truly measure.
Whenever these new services, networks and features show up, I am content to be patient and determine if it’s worth the investment of my time and energy.
Have a grateful day!
Chrysta
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