Day 7 of 30

I should have named this post, “How I Use Different Social Networks”.But I didn’t, because even though you’d come to visit that post, it’s not exactly the focus.

The Premise

If I had my way, the two social networks I’d use going forward would be Twitter and Google+. I COULD stick to them and let Facebook go.

The Only Problem Is

1. I won’t get to choose based on my preference for the technology. I’ll choose based upon the connections I’ve made through that technology.
   
2. Too many people I know are on Facebook who won’t adapt a new technology unless something goes terribly wrong.

Here’s how my social media friendships work:

Facebook – people I’ve gone to school with, church with, formerly worked with, or real life friends with. Most of these people clung to MySpace like the Titanic, or they’d never joined a prior social network other than Classmates.com. They don’t care whether they’re participating in social networking or social media. They’re just using Facebook as an extension of themselves. It’s not a shiny new toy as much as it is the new email, the new IM, the new party invitation, and the new photo album.

Twitter – people in my industry, people with similar interests, and two dozen or so people I know in real life. I met some of these people online through forums, blogs, indirect twitter conversations, and, let’s be honest, #followfriday. While 60% of these people wouldn’t instantly recognize me if I walked past them on the street, they’re fascinating people who care about some of the same things I care about. That’s worth something.

Google+ – people in my industry, people with similar interests, and a dozen or so people I know in real life. After a very short time, I am connected with more people on Google+ than I am on either Twitter or Facebook. Why? Because it’s new and people treat new social media tools as mile markers in life. People you don’t connect with well on Twitter suddenly become more interesting because you share a new bond: early adoption of a social network. You start off by talking way too much about that new network, and hopefully discover you share some common interests along the way.

Do you seem the troubling pattern? Maybe not unless you realize how much I love my Twitter. Though not every one of my tweeps are using Google+, I’m getting essentially the same benefits as with Twitter. Except G+ is new and so there aren’t as many people on yet with similar interests that aren’t tech-centric.

I’m Not a Happy Camper

So I’m stuck. I’m using Google+ more than Twitter these days, which is easier because the vast majority of people I’m connected to on + were hardcore Twitter users. And it makes sense because Twitter was populated by early adopters… those same people who are now playing with the shiny new toy over at Google.

So if I let connecting with people become priority #1 (lame, I know), I would stop using Twitter and just manage Facebook and Google+. Sigh. I don’t know. That would be like sending one of my children away because we don’t have enough food.

Do you have a similar dilemma? How do YOU use each social networking tool and which will you choose going forward?

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