Social networking becomes more personal

There is a trend that is picking up speed. Facebook has “25 things about me”. You create your list of 25 random items on the notes tab, tag 25 others, then ask them to do the same. Smaller Indiana members are requesting “7 things you didn’t know about me”. In your post of 7 things, you include 7 other members and link to their 7 things.

Is social networking become more private? Absolutely not, considering these are being posted for all to see. But social networking is becoming more personal.

I see a nice transition happening. In the early years, many people followed people just because. No reason, no similarities, nothing in common to create the desire to know that person. And I believe it didn’t matter. Social media was so new, so FUN, that the experience of being on the site with others around the world was the only requirement. And the excitement and uniqueness of this new phenomena was enough.

As we are all figuring out how powerful this new media can be. So ground rules are being laid and some sites have hard-and-fast rules posted on the home page. Expectations are present, and that’s all for the better.

Smaller Indiana is one of my favorite social sites. They do it right, letting you know the purpose of the site and what you can expect from the others if you choose to join - and what is expected of you. So you want to be a Smoosier, as the members are called? Right there, on the home page, for everyone to see before they even sign up, are a their 6 ground rules.

Do you think this site is too restrictive because you want to promote your business more? You don’t see the value in the whole social networking/building relationships experience? There are plenty of other choices where you can spend your time as you see appropriate.

I have recently seen many posts and heard conversations stating My Space is too invasive, there are “…too many stalkers” or “it’s becoming creepy.” These comments support that we are placing a higher expectation on those we meet on line (and possibly because these comments are from business people rather than teens.) Many Twitterers will not follow someone without an avatar and a bio. That makes sense, because how do you know you want to follow someone if you can’t tell anything about them? This isn’t a rule, but it is a standard many people on Twitter adhere to. Unlike Smaller Indiana, there are not rules posted. People learn as they go. And that’s OK, too.

The key point is that people want to know more about you than your screen name. They want a photo that they can associate with a name. If you’re on these sites to make connections and also to help promote your business, you will have difficulty achieving success without sharing who you are. People buy from people, not from companies. Share your 7 or your 25 when people ask. They ask because they want to know you better.

Be you. Share. Connect.