Is Social Media Just Another Platform For Selling

My Thursday Social Media Rant

I love Jack’s pub

Apart from the fact that there is great food, music and some really good beer, it’s where a lot of my friends and family gather too!

I find it a handy place to meet business prospects for lunch, as it’s right in the center of town.

While I am there on social occasions, if I meet someone that may be interested in my business services, I give them my card, and take theirs as well.

Because of the surrounding noise and activities in the place, I don’t actually do much business there.

Jack’s place is a social hub, where people gather and have a great time, get involved in conversations and… socialize!

Twitter, Facebook and Myspace are social hubs too!

The only difference is that it is online, rather than in a bricks and mortar business.

I enjoy all of these sites, plus more such as Plurk and Friendfeed, because, like off line social venues, they all have their own flavor.

I do get upset though!

Some people seem to think that all I want to do on social networking sites is get their links and advertisements.

Some even promote programs that ‘grow your list on Twitter’ and so on!

For goodness sake, the only list that I joined on Twitter was their list of members!

A marketing list, in the traditional email or postal mailing sense, is supposed to be opt in, and I don’t remember opting into any marketing lists on social media sites!

As I have said before, if I have joined anyones’ list, then by default they’ve joined mine as well.

While I don’t mind the occasional bit of shameless self promotion, and sharing links, I am getting tired of constant streams of ads all the time.

This week has been one of ‘unfollowing’ a number of people who have overdone it.

What do you think?

Is Twitter, and sites like it, for social networking, or is it just another platform for people to sell stuff to everyone else?

I’d like to hear your opinion!

/end rant