Social Networking Framework
- Think of social networking as electronic versions of chatting with a neighbor in the grocery story and meeting a colleague at a coffee shop. The difference is that:
- You choose whom you happen across at your virtual grocery store, and
- In that virtual coffee shop you further develop relationships with multiple colleagues, at the same time, when you choose.
- Social networking tools, in particular, provide an opportunity to strengthen your network both offline and online.
- Find offline events through your online network. If our network includes individuals who have similar interests as us, we are likely to be interested in the same offline events.
- Promote offline events with online tools. The viral nature of social networks will help promote offline events.
- Get to know folks online that you originally met offline. This is particularly useful for folks geographically spread out. Advocates who meet at a conference can use social networking to provide practical and emotional support to each other while spreading their message.
- The number of social media tools can be overwhelming. Find a few that meet your needs and do not feel guilty for not using the latest and greatest. Unless you love experimenting with new tools, let the early adopters work out the kinks and promote the greatest new tools.
- You cannot control others' talking about you but you can choose to be part of the conversation.
- As with offline networking, one must mix personal and professional lives.
- You define your online persona. Interact online the same as you would with a colleague in a coffee shop.
- Mixing your personal and professional will help you develop a strong network. We are all more likely to do business with folks we know and trust.
- The more an organization's representatives understand how to use social networking professionally,
- The more easily each can integrate not only promotion of the organization into their social networking but also,
- The more easily they can encourage their network to become actively engaged in the organization.
- Largest non-youth social network. Remember it was created for college students but it has such useful functions, professionals are now using it.
- Further develop relationships you already have.
- Facebook’s focus is upon the individual, that is users with
Profiles. One must have a Profile in order to create or join a Group or Page. - Purpose of Group or Page is to A) Message the members. B) Drive traffic to an external site. C) Promote an event. All utilize the viral effect witin Facebook.
- Unobtrusive way to disseminate information and initiate conversations.
- Users must be sure to mix in non-issue posts and conversations or
will quickly lose Friends. Users define what they are comfortable
sharing with their Facebook friends and what they are not. - Privacy Settings can be adjusted to control who sees what on your Profile.
- News Feed Options can be adjusted to control what you see in your News Feed from your Friends.
- Facebook's current Terms of Service give them license to all user's content.
- Professional online representation of you.
- Opportunity to find your connection to specific individuals/companies/organizations.
- Groups provide an opportunity to A) Message members. B) Increase visability through associate with Group members.
Niche social networks
- Ning is most popular web-based platform for niche social networks. Its free, easy to set up and easy to use.
- Many other social network platforms, both web-based and install ready.
- Niche social networks are often a comfortable place for social
network newbies. Most have an admin who controls registration to the
site, ensuring those who participate will provide value. - Purpose is to have a place where specific issues are discussed. The resulting support may be practical or emotional.
