It depends on the person but also I think the social network that you are on also indicates your intentions. For example, I think sites like myspace and facebook are so jammed with profiles that people have created that it really is cluttered and sloppy. People on these sites often engage in “friend collecting” (Even I have been guilty of this in the past)

But then there are private social networks like zovue.com where members choose their publicity. On facebook – everybody can see me so I make sure to limit the amount of info I put up, on zovue.com, I just make my info as public as I like. Zovue.com is also a more of a professional networking site for an older crowd.

So if you want prove how popular you are, use one of those social networks for playing, if you want to a build quality network, try something like zovue.com.

because you don’t want your boss or parents to see embarrasing pictures of you on your profile.

I think with social networking, one key point is quality not quantity, and taking the time to comment on those articles that you actually find worthy of a few reciprocal words. Personally, I couldn’t spend more than an hour catching up with networks at a time though.

Personally, I don’t think social media is a waste of time.

I write about social media as simply being a tool. And like all tools, if it’s well-used, it can serve. But if it’s poorly used it can be a great time waster.

What’s more, I use social networks constantly to build relationships. So I’d love to know what you read in my post.

They can be productivity drains… But for the most part very useful tools if targeted towards professionals.

http://www.isinc.com

Building relationships with other writers, especially those in the same or similar niche, helps create shared links. There is a lot to be said regarding the benefits of linking to other bloggers, whether in comments left or those found in posts.

It may be an ego trip for some bloggers, but if done correctly and fairly, linking helps illuminate other blogs or posts that would be of help to others. What could be a better reason than that?

-Mansi
http://funnfud.blogspot.com

I think the best marketing advice I’ve ever heard is something Steve Farber said, “Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do”.

The rest is just how.

Always appreciated.

Well, first of all, I walk amongst some pretty long shadows.

I’m not a marketeer by education, but I’ve somehow become one by trade.

The shadows are the towering figures I’ve met through business networks like Ecademy, which plays host to some pretty clever people.

It’s a very English trait to not be bold and forward unless you really, really have to be.

So me being bold is as result of listening to marketeers who have taught me that being bold but with a good message and a smile will often work wonders.

So I do often push myself forward in ways I wouldn’t normally.

And you being someone in the business of marketing is ideal for me, because I can learn from you too!

Jean,
Chicklet, you know, the little squares of minty gum… Just kidding. Chicklets are those little graphics you see that click through to some service like StumbleUpon or Facebook.

I have larger versions below each post for StumbleUpon and voting on Netscape.

Wayne,
There certainly is. It’s so tempting to get into a network and just ‘waste’ hours upon hours in it. That’s why I hear Facebook referred too as ‘Crackbook.’ It’s that addicting.

But just because we’re unable to control ourselves in the social networks doesn’t mean they’re bad and not useful. They’re actually quite useful.

I’m not sure I agree with you on marketing though. I’ve built three business – and helped countless clients build business based on mutually beneficial relationships.

Though I would agree with you that it means you need to be awake for opportunities. Not necessary predatory, shameless or shrewd, but certainly awake enough to see opportunities when they’re in front of you. And many small business owners don’t think that way.

I’d love to hear more about your ideas on marketing. The conversation around marketing is one of my favorites.

LaurenMarie,
I don’t think it’s a waste of time either – unless your time networking gets out of balance with the rest of your business.

You’re right on networking. And, social networking is also a buzz term for sites such as Facebook, MyBlogLog and Twitter where we can network with people easily and stay in touch with what they’re doing – and them with us. So the term serves multiple purposes.

Just wanted to share that for Jean and anyone else who might not know.

I don’t think networking on the internet or offline is ever a waste of time. As they say, it’s not what but rather who you know! And I’ve gotten to know some pretty fantastic people through this online social networking

But there’s such a thing a Social Network Fatigue, or at least I say there is!

Marketing requires a few things of you as a person: that you become a predatory, opportunistic, self-promotional whore who is largely quite shameless, but shrewd enough to know when to curb the effusive enthusiasm just long enough to close the sale.

And an off-shoot of marketing is personal branding, which is turning yourself, what you say, do and think into a brand.

What helps is having a names like mine!

I do know that I’m finding some interesting conversations on this site and a few others. For that I’m very grateful.