Is Social Networking Really Worth It??

[Toon]

Setting up these things isn't a case of really wanting to, more to the fact of just saying I've done.

I only really use these things to advertise but considering how easy they are to build now, everyone will have one before long making the decent ones less special.

[Tom Harris]

I think that it is a good idea having a special social network for designers, web developers and photographers. Because there are loads of other sites, such as MySpace, Bebo. Facebook, etc. but they are for anyone. Also, it is a good place for links to other sites and forums.

[Sam Clarke]

I agree with this, it's a specific place here in which you know what you're getting is what you're looking for, without fishing through many unhelpful people.

[Hal Walker]

Yeah, it's why I stopped reading general mags like Loaded and that in favour of more esoteric titles (Edge, Computer Arts etc); no monkeying around, just exactly what I want to read. I'm on the cusp of deleting my myspace account in favour of the dedicated SN. Like this one.

[Reese Berry]

All in all I reckon the social networking thing has it's merits but only in so much as you get out what you put in. I've got back in touch with a whole lot of people who I thought were out of my life forever through myspace as well as landing myself a few design jobs and our little night here in Grimsby has pretty much grown off it's back.

It's like this here, I'm really excited about the whole thing but if I advertised my night here and everyone came, it'd be more like an unofficial design convention were everyone came to talk about their latest project as opposed to a group of people who came to get drunk and listen to funky arsed tunes as I'm sure Hal here can testify, being that our little night was also born off the back off his own much more rocking night.

I reckon at the end of the day you've just got to keep it real, unlike myself whom on first discovering the joys of myspace started sending out friend invites like a dog in heat. Contrary to what my profile tells you, I do not have 349 friends mostly comprised of very hot ladies! But yet I've had girls, unprompted, send me photo's of themselves naked whilst holding hand written signs reading "I love the Alkaline Funmadentalist" (my DJ name) and "The Alkaline Funmadentalist is my bitch!". Whereas this probably makes me sound like a sex pest, I'm not, I'm actually a loving parent and I don't reckon I could possibly find a better partner than the one I have so I don't bother looking. But if I ever had to design my own album cover I got the source material sitting in my myspace inbox.

So everything in it's place, I say.

Just be sure to block that skinny, French dude if he offers you naked pictures for reposting his bulletins!

[Toon]

And you wouldn't get to come and work for me!

[Ryan Gravador]

If what i think you're hinting at is true, what happens is that social networks become like, a cell phone. Everybody has one. So what is going to make you different from others? That is challenging and has been with artists since the dawn of the movable type. One of the reasons why I'm just now getting into social networks (except for MySpace) is because, as an artist and graphic designer, I don't want to be left behind. If I can use this technology to build a network of whom I can collaborate with, all the while, getting my work exposed, and my name. Then social networking is a must. Although, like all of us, we will still have to find ways to make ourselves different (and competitive) but IMHO to grow with others making them better, which in turn will make me better, i hope.

[axecity]

I believe social networking is a vital marketing tool now adays, it's very important to target a specific thing in any activity you make, so if we accepted this rule, this tells us how great to have a targeted social networking for Graphic Designers & Web Developers.

And more marketing innovations to come :)

[D. Paradox]

Meh. It's just another phase in the evolution of communication; next will be networks of networks, and organizational tools that leverage not just content, but content distributions. Personal networks like this one will become searchable on the merits of their unique qualities, and tools will be developed to make them more useful.

But for all that to happen, you have to *make* the content, and the networks. So I'd say it's useful, no question. Keep on keepin' on.

Me, I don't seem to even need advertising (knock on wood), the work keeps rolling in. I'm just here for the company.

d.paradox

[carlos]

i know I'm new and all but in my opinion its what the community makes of it. i've seen social networks where it becomes a show off page (myspace). And others that truly have content worth looking into and adding to. For example many forums have become something like a living encyclopedia where members can truly help with their knowledge. but to answer your question i guess it is rare to see networking in these networks!

[Edward G. Shea]

I view online social networking as any networking, build referrals for your product or service. I the olden days we attended trade show, participated in standards/trade organizations. The objective was the same, get some attention, and hopefully some exposure to prospects. I have read at length about having to establish yourself as credible in new forum before you'll get any notice, and find this to be true. The problem of where to invest your time is a serious one. You have facebook groups as an example many join the group but few offer any value. Its like a noisy crowd all looking for attention. The next step is to start your own group and try to attract members, then the push sell to its members starts. I say they are worthwhile in the long run, but not free, you must invest something of value for the members to give you any notice and maybe help you with some referrals.

Finding the right fit is very important. I will invest in these forums sense they have my target audience. We will see if it pays off, may take some time to see results.

I like to 15 min to edit feature, just after the "oh *&^%" you can recover.

[marta]

I think it's really useful to fid out about news, designs and links. It is worth it!!