This Thing Called Social Networks…

My take on the buzzword of the decade

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. By there I mean on a social network when we “shouldn’t” have been at that time. Whether it’s on a date, at a family dinner table, during the game-winning touchdown pass, when a cute girl walked pass you, in the classroom, at work, you name it. I mean damn, we’ve all seen that video of the person who was “missing” out on life because they were on their phone 24/7. Now, as most of my friends and peers who know me, I am a big advocate of Social Networks. My take on Social Media, Social Networks, Social whatever you want to call it, is summed up perfectly by what I read from Brian Solis recently:

“The value we take away from this digital lifestyle must only be surpassed by what we invest in it.”

so·cial: seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious

net·work·ing: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest

We often forget the definition and goal of what Social Networks were originally made and set out to do. Now in order to take away more value from this “digital lifestyle” we are all submerged in, we need to surpass it. Here’s my take on how to:

Turn Digital Connections Into Physical Ones

You see someone interesting on Twitter. You may have common interests. You may want their job title. You may think they are cute. So you follow them. Fast forward one year, you may have made a witty reply here and there but nothing else. My advice is to ask that person to grab some coffee and meet physically. If they are out of your area, get on a quick phone call or Skype/Google Hangout video. Not only are you “networking,” but you are potentially making new lifelong friends or even co-workers.

Never Be The Smartest One In The Room

This is a phrase I was told when I was young, and I fully believe it. In order to grow, you can’t be the smartest one in the room. Now this can go the same for your digital life. Instead of filling your timelines with the likes of @huntermoore, @tbhjuststop, and other brain-damaging accounts; follow smart influential accounts like blogs, CEOs, Editors, and keep your timeline filled like a textbook with every chapter being one of your interests. Now I’m not saying don’t follow your friends, but I stand for never being the smartest one in the room, physically and digitally.

Now some people might argue that social currency (a like, a retweet, a favorite) is “value.” If you are a person that needs validation and vanity, then social currency could be of value to you.

Our generation is going to spend a shit load of time on social media in our lifetime.

Let’s take advantage of this technology. So in conclusion…Social Networks don’t bite, they aren’t bad, they are as a matter of fact an amazing piece of technology. Now it’s a choice on how we individually chose to use the technology and it’s for each of us to define how to create value.

My two cents.