Are You a Fake Networker In Social Media?

bradley will

“It is worthless to have lots and lots of friends…” Seth Godin talks about how many people are now seeing social networking as a scoreboard. Social networking is valuable when real, but a huge distraction when it is fake. Would these people ever go out of their way for you and let you sleep on their couch? Because, that is what real friends do.

What are your thoughts? Are you connecting by real things? Are most people just fake networkers?

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Categories: Social Networking
Tags: Seth Godin
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dhutson

Funny you should mention it. I just wrote a long, crabby post re Twitter that touches on this issue of fake networking. Too many people are using it and other forms of social media no differently than traditional mass media. It's getting in the way of true social engagement and the kind of targeted communication that makes these tools so powerful.

Anyway, you might want to check it out here: http://www.bit.ly/15Z0cV

stevesoucy

Absolutely excellent article to post Brad. I'm maintaining relationships with people who go out of there way to help others, because that's what I've seen them do a lot of.

I'm talking about people just like you!

Karen Brown

I like what Seth has to say, and as usual, it makes complete and utter sense. why treat social media as a place to do broadcast spammy mainstream advertising when it is such a tremendous place to make genuine connections. I have been connecting and making online friends for about six years now, mainly through forums. Many of those people i have met in person - some i have travelled to the US to share their hospitality, many I have visited several times in Melbourne. All are genuine relationships that i cherish - and when i have found someone online who lives anywhere near to me, I have usually managed to meet up with them in person. The power of the internet to connect us to like minds is a wonderful thing, and not to be taken for granted.

Aaron McKenny

It's interesting, I don't feel that Seth really answered the questions. The questions were:
* Is social networking valuable? and
* If so, for what kinds of businesses?

I would agree that there is likely diminishing marginal utility of each network connection if you connect with everyone who has ever heard of you, at least in the short-term. However, in the video he emphasizes his stance that this form of networking is worthless; I disagree with his assessment.

As a business, as a marketer, I would want my name and business information everywhere. I *especially* want this avenue for communicating with people that may recognize my name and business, but not know me very well. Will my messages to 'friends' I'm not close with yield similar results to those I am close with? Absolutely not, but if the friends visit the site frequently and see my updates on a regular basis, it may have a similar effect as watching commercials on tv... it creates exposure and awareness.

So to answer the questions, I would say: Yes it can be useful, and the companies for which this is appropriate are companies whose products and services are targeted at regular users of the social network be it students, industry professionals, whatever. Thoughts?

Wm. Salowitz

I think he is right on. Big networks happen where there is content, attraction and interaction. Great clip!

greggwitt

A-socialMEdia-men :)

vincenthunt

Incredible...

This has to be one of the most profound perspectives on Social Networking that I have seen in a WHILE. I think we have always known this, but I feel that many get lost in the "sexiness" and speed of todays Social Media driven Social Netwoking environment. The message here is clear... Slow down and build networks that matter.