Comments on: Reviewing Social Networks? http://www.socialtech.biz/blog/reviewing-social-networks empowering business through the social web Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:59:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Tom Lewis http://www.socialtech.biz/blog/reviewing-social-networks/comment-page-1#comment-6 Tom Lewis Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:05:17 +0000 http://www.socialtech.biz/?p=37#comment-6 I think social networks reflect the different types of socialising we do in real life, and therefore there is room for many different niches on the web. In life, I have social circles which revolve around friends, and other which are more work-based. Any major hobbies/ interests or niche areas of my life probably involve slightly different networks. It's the same on the web. Before the "social network" sites sprang up, I'd chat to friends on messenger and email, to work contacts on the phone or in meetings, and for passions and hobbies I'd use forums and blogs. None of that has changed, just the medium. I use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, and people I know socially (none of that 400+ friends business for me, I just don't know that many people). And I also use LinkedIn for business. I'm sure if I was into music I'd use MySpace, or if I was younger I'd be on Bebo. In my mind, it's a huge world out there and there's room for everyone. My business is about creating opportunities for my clients to put their message in front of people using those sites. It's no different from traditional advertising, and in many ways it's much less instrusive, as it's relevant and targeted to what people want to see. These sites are (mostly) free so they have to use adverts- and why not, as long as they contribute towards the overall visitor experience? I think social networks reflect the different types of socialising we do in real life, and therefore there is room for many different niches on the web. In life, I have social circles which revolve around friends, and other which are more work-based. Any major hobbies/ interests or niche areas of my life probably involve slightly different networks. It’s the same on the web. Before the “social network” sites sprang up, I’d chat to friends on messenger and email, to work contacts on the phone or in meetings, and for passions and hobbies I’d use forums and blogs. None of that has changed, just the medium. I use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, and people I know socially (none of that 400+ friends business for me, I just don’t know that many people). And I also use LinkedIn for business. I’m sure if I was into music I’d use MySpace, or if I was younger I’d be on Bebo.

In my mind, it’s a huge world out there and there’s room for everyone. My business is about creating opportunities for my clients to put their message in front of people using those sites. It’s no different from traditional advertising, and in many ways it’s much less instrusive, as it’s relevant and targeted to what people want to see. These sites are (mostly) free so they have to use adverts- and why not, as long as they contribute towards the overall visitor experience?

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