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Hi, I’m Barry Tallis, and Barry Tallis, and Barry Tallis. No, I don’t have a split personality, these are all pieces of my online identity, or profile. As the Community & Collaboration Evangelist at Jive Software, I spend a lot of time in online communities and social networks. There are quite a few out there as well: Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace in terms of generic social networks. Then there are all the specialized social applications like Twitter, del.icio.us, Flickr, etc. Each one of these sites maintain an online profile of you, as part of your login.
With all of these social applications out there, and thus, associated profiles, I imagine there are those out there who are confused on what social application to use and maintain their profile with. So, to kick of the first of a three part series on “Leveraging an Online Profile”, I’d like to provide a brief overview of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and what value they provide.
Facebook is a social networking website that allows users to join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. It is primarily focused on “social interactions” outside the context of a corporation, though there are a number of companies using it as well such as Accenture, PWC, Serena, Intel, and Microsoft to connect with fellow employees. The site Facebook Advice provides some great advice how to get personal and professional value from Facebook.
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. It is mainly used for professional networking. The purpose of the site is to allow registered users to maintain a list of contact details of people they know and trust in business. Users can make connections with other users and be introduced to new people via those connections. Guy Kawasaki has a great post on how to use LinkedIn.
Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send updates, otherwise known as tweets, which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. Updates are displayed on the user’s profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them, by “following” that user. Businesses such as Cisco Systems, Whole Foods Market, Dell, Zappos.com, and Comcast use Twitter to provide updates to customers.
So, what does this have to do with maintaining an online profile? I feel that the success of each of these social networks is directly proportional to the value of your profile, and the profile of those you are connecting to. Each one of these social applications has a general purpose, so therefore, your profile should mirror the value you want to get out of each one of those applications. If you are more focused on networking and looking for a job, then your LinkedIn profile should be more complete and up to date. It should almost be more of an online CV or resume. Once you land that job, you can evolve it to be more focused on networking.
If you are more focused on social interactions over professional networking, then you should spend more time completing your profile on Facebook in order to network with those with like-minded interests.
For example, I’ve had my job at Jive Software for 4 years now, and I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon. Thus, my LinkedIn profile hasn’t been updated for quite some time (in fact, as I was writing this post, I checked my LinkedIn profile and saw that I didn’t even have a profile picture!) I haven’t used it for networking much, but that is beginning to change as I’m speaking more and making more connections. I encourage those who I connect with to link to me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, so they can get a full sense of who I am and what I do.
So, now its your turn. How do you use Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter? Is there one that you favor over the other? I’d love to hear your stories of how these tools have helped (or hindered) you.
Next week, we will look at some of the potential dos and don’ts of online profiles, especially in the context using platforms such as Facebook as an extension of a company’s intranet.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Hi Barry,
I also use all three networks. Facebook has primarily been my “Personal” network, only shared with friends and coworkers while my LinkedIn and Twitter profiles have been largely for professional and personal use. I think the main reason is that I’ve been using Facebook since its inception, which had a much different purpose at that point. It’s interesting how things have evolved over time as Social Media moves to the forefront of everyone’s minds.
-Bill
Reply to billbruno
August 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
nice post Barry. I’m a Facebook primary, linkedin for collection purposes and really that’s it
Reply to aaron
August 12th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I use linked in mainly for business and I just added Facebook, also for business, but the more personal side of my business. I recently added twitter, just to see how it works. I’m thinking about publishing my shorter copywrting and integrated marcom tips there. My challenge is getting more followers… I’m not into uploading my contacts and blasting messages. Perhaps that’s the wrong thought process. Interested in know what you think.
Reply to Joan Damico
August 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I use LinkedIn primarily. I like that I can control the content and presentation. Since I deal in branding, it allows me to control my brand better than Facebook. Facebook is a great way to share photos and happenings with friends. When college friends insist on sending me cocktails left and right on Facebook, I worry about the impression that could leave with potential clients!
Reply to Lida Citroen
September 11th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I agree w/ Lida, I use Facebook to post photos - it’s super easy to upload, edit & share w/ friends & family.
As for Linkedin, I’ve been a member since 2001 & have always found it useful for staying connected & networking w/ business contacts.
My wife won’t allow me on Myspace
Reply to Anonymous
October 10th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I’d like to hear some LinkedIn success stories… cases where people have actually been positively impacted in either their careers or business. Is it just replacing existing communications (an InMail instead of an e-mail?) or are people really improving their networks with it?
Personally, I feel that it doesn’t give you much control. It isn’t very clean, and you don’t have any flexibility. I prefer Facebook because it is more personal, gives you more control, and is much cleaner.
Reply to Mike
October 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I agree on the use of Facebook as completely social, including my kids! Linked In is strictly professional contacts so far, but my struggle is finding the value in TWITTER! I created an account and maybe I just don’t understand, but I’m not sure what the draw is……..can anyone educate me?
Reply to Sue Kunisky
November 4th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Yes, all the social networks can be overwhelming to say the least. I don’t understand how people do it all - work, home, social, and online communities.
I find that LinkedIn works well for me because it keeps me connected professionally. Facebook has been a really nice way to keep in contact with family and friends. I have a very large dextended family and they live all ove the USA. keeping in touch with them is enjoyable and shortens the distance between us.
Twitter on the other hand is a bit different. I haven’t used Twitter, but the way I understand it is that youcan write short notes throughout the day and everyone who chooses to listen to you sees the message.
It is different from Instant Messsaging (IM) in an IM is generally sent to one person, where a Twitter is available to more people.
I would imagine that Twitter would be useful for virtual teams if you are working on a project. people can quickly converse to the group or say they stepped out for a moment. It might work for families as well or any kind of group that wants instant access to each other.
I love being part of communities and participating. My main difficulty is finding the time.
Reply to CarolFarnsworth