In the world of social media, how many social networks does one really need?

1. 77

   LupitaRonquilloposted 12 years ago

   In the world of social media, how many social networks does one really need?
   
   I've received friend requests from just about every popular social platform there is online but frankly, I don't know why people need to update their moment by moment status on more than two networks, personal and professional. The real question to ask is just how many "online stages" does one really need? There must exist an invisible epidemic where we are hurting the real connections in our life, family and friends! Isn't all the time spent on the do-it-all phone, notebooks or desktops to hop on all these sites time consuming? What are your thoughts?

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2. 58

   jessefutchposted 12 years ago

   I use Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Stumbleupon, Myspace and a few others. I use them professionally, though. Their primary function is to drive traffic to my articles, web sites and my other professional content. I have one private social networking account. I do not update my moment to moment status, though. I may get on it three times per week. I definitely agree with you about people who spend every waking moment on a networking site. It is now legally a disease to be addicted to social media! Yes, it is hurting the face to face, person to person bonding humans once used to make their social connections. Though I walk around all day with an Android phone, carry an Android tablet and am typing this on my laptop, I still take the time each day to turn it all off and spend time with my family and friends. I think it's all about limiting one's exposure to social networking sites. This keeps your sense of reality in check and doesn't turn you into a real-world social misfit.

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   1. 77

      LupitaRonquilloposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, every waking moment blogging on several social platforms is an addiction but as a writer myself, I agree with you on using online media to promote your work.

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   2. 58

      jessefutchposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The time spent promoting your work is time well spent in my opinion. It is a necessary tool (or necessary evil?) for a writer!

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3. 74

   Chad Thieleposted 12 years ago

   I completely understand what you are saying.
   
   However, there are several things to consider.
   
   First, think about who you are connected to on each social network. Some people want to share things only with specific people. Therefore, you might have a social network that you use to connect to coworkers (LinkedIn), one for family and old high school classmates (Facebook), one for real-time updates and sharing ideas and articles that you find with anyone (Twitter), one for your friends who share a specific hobby (Pinterest), and one to share the places that you have been with only the people you trust with that information (Foursquare). And, younger users might want to have a social network where they can share their party photos with friends that they don't necessarily want their coworkers or family to see. (Each person might use the social networking sites that I listed differently. However, I know that I am connected to different people on each social networking site and it influences what I share on each.)
   
   Second, we are living in a more mobile society. Therefore, it is often very difficult to see your friends and family, in person. I think social networking sites actually help make the real world connections stronger. (In theory, at least.)
   
   Third, social networking sites make it easier than ever to meet new people all over the world who share similar interests. (HubPages and Twitter are great for this.)
   
   As with anything, moderation is key. All good things can be bad if used too much.

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   1. 77

      LupitaRonquilloposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Social networks all have differences just as anything we are buying. Choosing the best one has always been a consumer/user's goal. Social networks have become an addiction much like a kid in a candy store where the cost we pay is our valuable time.

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4. 39

   afmolinajrposted 12 years ago

   I would say i just need three. facebook, twitter and foursquare.

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5. 61

   answers-questionsposted 12 years ago

   Pinterest, Facebook, Boxnutt, Twitter, Google Plus, reddit, delicious...

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6. 57

   iamnicolerichardsposted 12 years ago

   There are a lot of social media sites that really work. But the most common are Facobook, Twitter and Instagram.
   
   http://easysocialpractice.com

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7. 60

   funny123posted 11 years ago

   I found a site called Glom.com which does everything, although there aren't many users at the moment. It does satisfy my privacy concerns, and am able to show what I want to who I want.

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   1. 77

      LupitaRonquilloposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting, never heard of it but thanks for sharing...

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