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09/06/2007: "Web 2.0: Will Social Networking Help Your Business?"

Do sites like Facebook help the business person? Specifically, do they help the freelance copywriter? My take so far is mixed.

Since I no longer seek out business, I don't go into a social network hoping to find clients. I only select a few personal clients to work with throughout the year. But I do like to join the Facebook community and one other business-related social network to keep up with the trends and concerns and also to meet up with others in my field which whom I can share thoughts and ideas, problems and issues of concern.

If you join one of these social sites, you have to be careful. Whenever a prospective client or employer or anyone else wants information about you, they'll do a Google and find your social network profile. If you're out troweling for members of the opposite sex (or the same sex), you could suffer permanent damage. Not because you're doing anything wrong. But because business people are expected to carry themselves above the average Joe. People don't expect to see the big guy in the power suit and the power office in his boxers out looking for fun and games. It sort of puts a dent in your image.

I don't think these sites are conducive to getting clients. And the "friends" you have on the sites can't compare to the "real" friends in your life who you turn to in the good times and bad; the people who will laugh with you and cry with you and be there for you. And it's sad to see so many people think these virtual friends are the real deal.

So I guess the bottom line is this: join a social network. But be careful in the image you present. If you want to let your hair down and find a mate or something else, do so in a really private part of the Web (if there is such a place) and make sure your privacy settings don't allow anyone in but who you want in. Quite a few people have been damaged by a profile that was left unattended and the privacy settings not so private.

Facebook is a great place to reunite with old friends and even family. I've found some old friends from college on Facebook and some other old pals. It's a great place for entertainment and networking. But it can be very time consuming too.

People tend to go to these sites for free information and ideas. I'm very careful about what I provide in the way of information. I'm not about to give away what I get paid for. Nor should you.

But give Web 2.0 sites like Facebook a try. It may give you some competitive advantage. It may even get you some business. Just don't go into it expecting that. You might be disappointed.

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