14 replies
  1. David
    David says:

    Well I would have to say social media tools have helped my career….it would be hard to research into their use if they didn’t exist

    I think we are going to find the question ‘Have social tools helped your career?’ increasingly difficult to answer as they become increasingly embedded in our lifestyles. Whilst we may recognise the direct results of social media use, we are less likely to acknowledge indirect effects, for example, the casual use of Facebook keeping us engaged with off-line friends longer than we may otherwise have done may help our careers further down the line, but will we necessarily recognise the role of Facebook in keeping the friendship going?

    Reply
  2. David
    David says:

    Well I would have to say social media tools have helped my career….it would be hard to research into their use if they didn’t exist

    I think we are going to find the question ‘Have social tools helped your career?’ increasingly difficult to answer as they become increasingly embedded in our lifestyles. Whilst we may recognise the direct results of social media use, we are less likely to acknowledge indirect effects, for example, the casual use of Facebook keeping us engaged with off-line friends longer than we may otherwise have done may help our careers further down the line, but will we necessarily recognise the role of Facebook in keeping the friendship going?

    Reply
  3. rebecca
    rebecca says:

    Ha, love your POV, David

    I agree with what you say. The real answer is “air”.

    When Social media tools are as ubiquitous as the air we breathe, we’ll be using them widely and their presence will be normal in our daily lives.

    But market researchers will still be asking the questions about usage!

    Reply
  4. rebecca
    rebecca says:

    Ha, love your POV, David

    I agree with what you say. The real answer is “air”.

    When Social media tools are as ubiquitous as the air we breathe, we’ll be using them widely and their presence will be normal in our daily lives.

    But market researchers will still be asking the questions about usage!

    Reply
  5. Paul Thurston
    Paul Thurston says:

    I think it’s about understanding what benefit you will get from each tool.

    Flickr!: Great for self promotion, meeting like minded people and showing off visual work, bad for getting new clients.

    LinkedIn: Good for meeting potential clients, bad for showing off visual work.

    Twitter: Just seems like a waste of time.

    etc…etc…

    Reply
  6. rebecca
    rebecca says:

    Paul
    that’s an interesting view about Twitter. I think that most social media tools appear to be a “complete waste of time” until you find a group of people who fit your profile and needs.

    I found Twitter hopeless the first time I tried it and gave up. Couldn’t see the point. Then I tried again and quite quickly became engaged with a group of thinkers who are very generous with their thoughts about new tools in social media. This suits me because I can then tell my clients about new tools flagged up by my contact group.

    But then again, it my be useless for you and your particular needs as a creative.

    If you want to research further, have a look at my followers http://www.twitter.com/rebeccacaroe or let’s have a phone chat about getting you hooked into an appropriate group.

    PS using tweetdeck rather than the website really improved my Twitter experience.

    Reply
  7. rebecca
    rebecca says:

    Paul
    that’s an interesting view about Twitter. I think that most social media tools appear to be a “complete waste of time” until you find a group of people who fit your profile and needs.

    I found Twitter hopeless the first time I tried it and gave up. Couldn’t see the point. Then I tried again and quite quickly became engaged with a group of thinkers who are very generous with their thoughts about new tools in social media. This suits me because I can then tell my clients about new tools flagged up by my contact group.

    But then again, it my be useless for you and your particular needs as a creative.

    If you want to research further, have a look at my followers http://www.twitter.com/rebeccacaroe or let’s have a phone chat about getting you hooked into an appropriate group.

    PS using tweetdeck rather than the website really improved my Twitter experience.

    Reply
  8. Graeme Davidson
    Graeme Davidson says:

    Hi Rebecca,

    That’s a great post – it is something I am currently reviewing myself as I work for a digital agency as their business development manager. It seems to be a difficult thing to balance all the different channels – especially with only 24 hours in each day!

    I find it increasingly complicated to follow fb, myspace (I play in a band too!), twitter, linkedin, my work blog, my personal blog, affiliate blog, work email, personal email, messenger, ……etc….. And I still have to get on the phone and attend meetings!
    Where does it all end. Although, the main thing is that I am getting out there and being proactive about it. And I do think it works.

    One of the most difficult things I find, is how do I measure success with all these different social networking tools. Sometimes it is just pie in the sky, rather than pie on the table. Although the actual results I achieve are obviously quantifiable, the source of some leads may not be immediately transparent. I think the key it to utilise al the different channels into an integrated campaign and see how you work best with it.

    I have added you on Twitter, and look forward to seeing if I can integrate into some of the groups you have going there. And also going to instal Tweetdeck this weekend to give that a bash – just using twhirl at the moment

    Cheers!

    Reply
  9. Graeme Davidson
    Graeme Davidson says:

    Hi Rebecca,

    That’s a great post – it is something I am currently reviewing myself as I work for a digital agency as their business development manager. It seems to be a difficult thing to balance all the different channels – especially with only 24 hours in each day!

    I find it increasingly complicated to follow fb, myspace (I play in a band too!), twitter, linkedin, my work blog, my personal blog, affiliate blog, work email, personal email, messenger, ……etc….. And I still have to get on the phone and attend meetings!
    Where does it all end. Although, the main thing is that I am getting out there and being proactive about it. And I do think it works.

    One of the most difficult things I find, is how do I measure success with all these different social networking tools. Sometimes it is just pie in the sky, rather than pie on the table. Although the actual results I achieve are obviously quantifiable, the source of some leads may not be immediately transparent. I think the key it to utilise al the different channels into an integrated campaign and see how you work best with it.

    I have added you on Twitter, and look forward to seeing if I can integrate into some of the groups you have going there. And also going to instal Tweetdeck this weekend to give that a bash – just using twhirl at the moment

    Cheers!

    Reply
  10. Paul Thurston
    Paul Thurston says:

    Hi Rebecca,

    Found a use for it now! There are loads of councils on there and it’s also good for telling people about new blog/news posts.

    Starting to come round to it too, I’ll be sure to check out the tweetdeck thing.

    All the best,
    paul

    Reply
  11. Paul Thurston
    Paul Thurston says:

    Hi Rebecca,

    Found a use for it now! There are loads of councils on there and it’s also good for telling people about new blog/news posts.

    Starting to come round to it too, I’ll be sure to check out the tweetdeck thing.

    All the best,
    paul

    Reply
  12. Rebecca Caroe
    Rebecca Caroe says:

    Paul
    I am delighted. ‘Finding a use’ is key to all these new social media tools. If you can’t see an application that’s relevant to your situation – there is no point. And anyway, there’s a limit to the number of pokes / zombies you can withstand before it stops being fun.

    Saw Cassie this morning at NESTA gig. Great fun.

    Rebecca

    Reply
  13. Rebecca Caroe
    Rebecca Caroe says:

    Paul
    I am delighted. ‘Finding a use’ is key to all these new social media tools. If you can’t see an application that’s relevant to your situation – there is no point. And anyway, there’s a limit to the number of pokes / zombies you can withstand before it stops being fun.

    Saw Cassie this morning at NESTA gig. Great fun.

    Rebecca

    Reply
  14. Paul Thurston
    Paul Thurston says:

    I think it's about understanding what benefit you will get from each tool.

    Flickr!: Great for self promotion, meeting like minded people and showing off visual work, bad for getting new clients.

    LinkedIn: Good for meeting potential clients, bad for showing off visual work.

    Twitter: Just seems like a waste of time.

    etc…etc…

    Reply

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