Comments on: Social Networking: Frequently Asked Questions

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:45:45 +0000

Another great article. Can I suggest this article again – List of Business Networking & Social Networking Sites for Freelancers – I hope that your readers find it useful.

Thanks.
Rachel

By: Freelance Writing Jobs » Blog Archive » Increase Productivity by Decreasing Distractions

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:49:56 +0000

[...] off some of my social networking contracts – Now don’t get me wrong, you know I’m big on social networking. I did cut out some things though, including some forums where the participants and I aren’t [...]

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:51:47 +0000

Hi, Stephen–actually, my comment was with reference to Deb, although it really applies to most people (my name isn’t that uncommon, so I imagine I’d be slightly harder to track down unless someone knows my age or approximately where I live, but still!)

I don’t regularly check online directories–my mom is very into genealogy, though, so she’s used that sort of thing to track down distant family members and such. I really don’t see them as being a lot more dangerous than phone books, and it’s nice to be able to find those distant family members and long-lost friends. I just think assuming more anonymity than we actually have is a bad idea.

By: Stephen Tiano

Stephen Tiano — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:54:26 +0000

Melissa, blogging on MySpace brings more of a response than on your own blog? On-topic response about a professional topic?

So far, in my experience, it’s commenting on other blogs and participating on forums that cover the topics I’m interested in—freelancing, publishing, book design, typography—have enabled me to interact with more people on those subjects in an intelligent and meaningful way.

MySpace seems like a place to hangout, kind of a virtual bar—which I really don’t get; I mean, if I want that atmosphere, than I want to be with my friends and really having a drink.

As for LinkedIn, the only really responsive people are these “open networkers”. And while they are responsive, as well as big seekers of networking opportunities, they are never into any of the areas that are of interest to me. They’re professional networkers. So, while LinkedIn is not exactly a waste of much time, it’s pretty useless nonsense in my experience. Of course, YMMV.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:04:52 +0000

I’m signed up on LinkedIn but haven’t seen any business come from that way. I am pretty active on MySpace and I’ve gotten a fair amount of traffic and interest through that venue. Plus I blog on MySpace, which is a great way to feel out a readership or topic and get tons of comments. Thanks for bringing up this subject.

By: Stephen Tiano

Stephen Tiano — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:58:09 +0000

I do, as a matter of fact, check different directories on occasion and when I come upon them. Are there any in particular that you’d recommend, Melissa?

Micah, I thoroughly agree with that. I’ve linked to this one, as a matter of fact and, Deb, would ask that you reciprocate.

By: Micah

Micah — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:53:52 +0000

The linking through other blogs is something that works well for me. Otherwise I meet people through here

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:52:12 +0000

Have you checked online information directories to see if you’re listed? You don’t have an extremely common name, and frankly, a LOT of people are listed even if they never put their names out on the internet themselves, since those directories draw on paper sources of information. My full name, address, and phone number was listed when I was a teenager, years before I put my name on the internet professionally.

It’s not really something I worry about a lot personally–most people are in the phone book, after all, and that rarely leads to disaster–but most of us aren’t as private as we like to think.

By: Essential Week in Review

Essential Week in Review — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:09:47 +0000

[...] at Freelance Writing Jobs offers up a good series on social networking. Her Frequently Asked Questions about Social Networking piece is particularly [...]

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:09:06 +0000

Steve,

I’ve yet to get any business from LinkedIn, but it took a few seconds to set up, so it isn’t a “big” waste of time. Some of my clients are on it, and asked me to join. Heck, I figure it’s at least as worthwhile as spending time on Craigslist — Jodee does a great job, but sometimes there are items that may be a fit for me there, but not most others on this forum.