HIRE ME TO SPEAK
HIRE ME TO SPEAK

Social networks and chewing gum in your hair

I write about strategies to turn fans into customers and customers into fans. I also share ways to use real-time strategies to spread ideas, influence minds, and build business.

Social Media

My friend Mark Amtower announced back in 2009 that he was considering leaving Facebook. He didn't.

Leaving a social networking site is tough. Because social networking is like a cocktail party, leaving a network is like trying to leave a party. When you do, you’re gone. Forever.

But it is so damned easy to join a social network.

Chewing gum Reminds me of chewing gum in your hair – easy to get in but tough to get out.

My solution is to resist joining networks. After all, you can’t go to every party. I’m still not on LinkedIn for example and here's why.

I'm never the first adopter of a new network. When I see critical mass, I jump in. For example, I started blogging in 2005, YouTube 2007 (I think), Twitter 2008, and Foursquare in January of this year. Many people were much earlier than me to these networks.

Personally, I'd rather focus on a few social networking sites than try to do everything. Because as Mark proves, it is tough to leave.

Image: Shutterstock / Sunny_baby