Wow, I am just getting into this whole social networking world; blogging, twittering etc. and this is what I was trying to figure out. How to manage it, enjoy it, and not get overwhelmed. Thanks a million.

Ed

SM is a tool like any other. It’s easy to become obsessed with a tool and over use it.

Thanks for the reminder!

Great Post. Using Social Networking is a huge key to building your business and growing your networks. I believe it can be overwhelming for some and that is why your schedule is great.

Thanks
Stefanie

A social network like Twitter is, in my opinion, ideal for going heavy on the social and light on the network – one can then filter off new acquaintances to other networks as appropriate.

LinkedIn is where one might suggest potential colleagues/partners/clients join one. Facebook might be the place to invite potential social friends; MySpace used for leisure-time acquaintances related to a hobby or particular passion such as sport and so on. People who are giving out buying signals would be steered towards ones own website/blog or physical premises.

Apart from obvious spammers, I follow everyone who follows me on Twitter and unfollow only those who have unfollwed me and are not interesting to me when I read their tweets. I follow about 100 people who have never followed me because I find them interesting for one reason or another.

I follow you, for example, Chris, although you don’t follow me and nor would I expect you to. I have noticed that it is very easy for people to become too obviously intent on promoting who they are, or what they are selling, on Twitter and am under the impression that this stance backfires on many of them.

To me, Twitter is like a large informal cocktail party – one goes hoping to hand out a few business cards but knowing that one must be sociable for anyone to take an interest in what is printed on that card. There is no point in spending money on printing only to have your cards dropped into the nearest wastebin… It is impossible to judge a book by its cover or a potentially profitable relationship by first impressions on a social network, in my opinion.

In the short time I have been on Twitter I have made sales to the last people I thought would buy and failed to make a single sale to those whom I had flagged in my mind as likely clients…

Wesley
The Geek Entrepreneur
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GeekEntrepreneu

This article was right on time for me. I was getting ready to start a conversation on the Authority Blogging forum about how to use Twitter.

Lot’s of spam and folks just promoting their “thing” without any effort to establish a personal connection.

I’ve just started clicking “unfollow” and other tactics.

Actually even just checking your time table it still looks like you could lose a fair chunk of time maybe up to a full day a week.

How true, you certainly need a ‘plan of attack’ when it comes to social media. I use FriendFeed now and it is great because you can put all your social media in one place(even RSS feeds)and know exactly what is coming through.
Here’s to living life to the fullest
Anne

@Erica – I think any social situation has a potential for guilt for some of us, we have to realize when it isn’t warranted and I think most of the twitterquette comes down to “treat others …”

@Jeff – It’s always evolving so we need to keep sucking and seeing I think

@DoreenatDMS – Time zones, yeah they can help or hinder I find myself constantly chasing the clock seeing as I have clients spread from Aus/Nz to Hawaii

@Joanna – Yup, we just need to be aware of what the results are that we are aiming for, or is it just social?

@Michael – Totally, and I think simply learning is a good enough pay off. My network of contacts makes me feel like the dumbest person in the room, which is EXACTLY how I want to feel

@Miguel – Don’t worry, the popup is going, just was waiting on an answer from Aweber about something

Hey bro, what’s with the pop-up? That’s annoying my friend, I all ready receive updates to your site. Yeah, find what works for you but try not to waste time when you could be writing fresh content. At times, we all get carried away. Stick to the plan, if you have one or batch process your social networking times. Time yourself is needed. Thanks for sharing!

-Mig