You Gotta Have Friends
Teeg wrote a great article today!
In the article, You Gotta Have Friends she tackles the question of whether online friends are “real” friends!
My opinion is that yes, they are.
I will qualify that by saying that there a lot of acquaintances as well, just like there are off line.
We all have friends who we regard as closer than others.
This is not necessarily because we favor one over the other, but is more likely because there are more common shared interests.
As far as Facebook, Plurk, Myspace, and other social networking sites are concerned, I tend to regard people that I meet as real friends.
A lot of times I have felt that I have been added to their customer, or prospective customer lists, to be sent advertising messages via the inbox, or wall.
When this happens consistently, they change from friend to acquaintance, to “non friend” very quickly…
Social networking is not necessarily social advertising, and most social media sites have very strict guide lines on this.
While most friends will take an interest in what you do anyway, constantly advertising is not on!
Taking advantage of other peoples’ goodwill just to make a sale can cost you your membership, and that is a high price to pay.
The important thing about networking is that you don’t promote a product, you promote yourself. Your products will then sell anyway, if they’re good enough!
Why not connect on Facebook?
Simply click on my profile picture to add me as a friend.
Of course, one site that is going gangbusters at present is Plurk, a site that has taken the message formula pioneered by Twitter, and improved it beyond recognition.
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And I am so glad I met you… I have learnt heaps and know I can ask you anything and you won’t think me completely mad or dumb!! I enjoy your musings and your Plurking fun. With friends like these… only the best will come. xc
charlies last blog post..eco-safe
I agree. I met my best friend online several years ago (has it really been THAT long?!). We’ve never met face-to-face, but we’ve held each other’s hands through some long, lonely days over the telephone and through email.
Thanks Hope! I love hearing true stories like yours, and am glad to have met you online too!
Cheers,
Allan
Likewise Charlie! It’s been really great getting to know you too…
Thanks for the comment and yes, the best is yet to come!
Cheers
Allan
Same here!
Great post, Allan! I agree with you on all your points. I “unfriended” someone on Plurk for the first time the other day b/c all she seemed to want to do was “share” her most recent blog posts. I never saw her interact with anyone. A real turn-off, as she seemed to have forgotten the “social” part of “social media.”
By the way, thanks for the reminder to get a Facebook account. 🙂
Cheers,
Marjorie
G’day Marjorie,
Nothing worse than when they forget about the social part – you just becoame someone to advertise to!
Don’t forget to look me up when you get to Facebook 🙂
Cheers!