Mary, Mary quite contrary,
How does your social garden grow?
With a patience and care,
And one new contact a week all in a row
Social networks are like gardens they need attention to grow big and strong. With proper care your garden will bear fruit. There are over 1,000 social networks available on the internet today. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Digg, Flickr....just to name a few. You might have joined at least one of them to see what the hype is all about. You built up a small network and lost interest. You’ve left your social garden to die a slow death. Don’t let that happen! Select one or two social gardens that you like and tend to them consistently. By participating you are carving out a name for yourself and as time goes by your work will bear fruit.
Linkedin is one of my favorite social gardens. I tend to it as needed by inviting new and interesting people that I meet to join my network. This week I’ve made two new connections, a human resource recruiter in Phoenix and wireless consultant in Chicago. I can honestly say this garden is bearing fruit in the form of employment opportunities. Not for myself but for others in my network. It’s the first place I go when I hear of a fun or interesting position. I enjoy passing employment leads on to good, hardworking people…the people in my Linkedin network.
While some may see time spent on social networks as waste of time, I feel the complete opposite. It can really be a productive endeavor if you do it consistently and don’t forget to trim off the dead leaves. You don’t want your garden to grow out of control. If there are people in your network that you just don’t like any more remove them. In addition, don’t over fertilize. No one wants 100 twits or pokes a day you will quickly lose your audience. Share ideas and thoughts that you think will benefit others. The information you pass on may help someone who will return the favor later in the form of a new contact, lead or personal recommendation.
By dedicating a little time every week to tend your social garden, it will grow strong and bear fruit for years to come.
Thoughts? What’s your garden of choice? How often do you tend to it?
How does your social garden grow?
With a patience and care,
And one new contact a week all in a row
Social networks are like gardens they need attention to grow big and strong. With proper care your garden will bear fruit. There are over 1,000 social networks available on the internet today. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Digg, Flickr....just to name a few. You might have joined at least one of them to see what the hype is all about. You built up a small network and lost interest. You’ve left your social garden to die a slow death. Don’t let that happen! Select one or two social gardens that you like and tend to them consistently. By participating you are carving out a name for yourself and as time goes by your work will bear fruit.
Linkedin is one of my favorite social gardens. I tend to it as needed by inviting new and interesting people that I meet to join my network. This week I’ve made two new connections, a human resource recruiter in Phoenix and wireless consultant in Chicago. I can honestly say this garden is bearing fruit in the form of employment opportunities. Not for myself but for others in my network. It’s the first place I go when I hear of a fun or interesting position. I enjoy passing employment leads on to good, hardworking people…the people in my Linkedin network.
While some may see time spent on social networks as waste of time, I feel the complete opposite. It can really be a productive endeavor if you do it consistently and don’t forget to trim off the dead leaves. You don’t want your garden to grow out of control. If there are people in your network that you just don’t like any more remove them. In addition, don’t over fertilize. No one wants 100 twits or pokes a day you will quickly lose your audience. Share ideas and thoughts that you think will benefit others. The information you pass on may help someone who will return the favor later in the form of a new contact, lead or personal recommendation.
By dedicating a little time every week to tend your social garden, it will grow strong and bear fruit for years to come.
Thoughts? What’s your garden of choice? How often do you tend to it?
