Sure, social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn are good for some things. You know, like stalking exes and talking trash with your friends. But recently there's been a spate of articles proclaiming that social networking is practically a requirement for small business owners or entrepreneurs seeking funding.
While it's a premise we've that questioned before—we're dubious—the New York Times (finally) put into print today what we'd been thinking for a long time. In an article about whether business-oriented site LinkedIn could help Hollywood network better (the jury's still out), the Times notes:
"The company bills itself as 'the world's largest and most powerful business network' but is known to most people as the Web site they begrudgingly visit every few months to approve be-my-contact invitations."
So true. At least in our experience—which is why we decided to ask whether any of the social networking sites have done anything to help (or hurt) you professionally? If it has, let's hear about what went down. If it hasn't helped you in the business world, we want to hear about that too. Give us your responses in the comment section below!
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I have a facebook account and it has never once helped me professionally and I doubt that it ever will. The only connections that facebook are good for are hello's from out of state friends, who I do not know well enough to call and of course, stalking exboyfriends! Call me old fashioned, but I think it's who you are personally connected to (as in they have spoken with you,respect you, know more about you than what you disclose in your "profile," or knows someone else who can vouch for your great character)in life that gets you ahead professionally.
—Jess
12:41, August 29th, 2008
I try to avoid tainting my professional life with social networking sites. I think this is an area where everyone wants it to work, and there's certainly potential, but no one wants to put themselves out as an early adopter while there's still the Myspace stigma. Even once it does catch on, I don't think it's going to supplant the handshake as the gold standard of relationship building. For both traditional and practical reasons, there's no electronic substitute for looking someone in the eye to get the measure of them.
—benpirie
12:35, August 29th, 2008
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