If You Eat All the Social Networking Candy, You’re Going to Get Sick!

Monday, April 21st, 2008 by Andy Beal

If You Eat All the Social Networking Candy, You’re Going to Get Sick!

Two blog posts made headlines on Techmeme over the past few days and I don’t agree with either of them.

First Erick Schonfeld complains that there’s just too much noise coming from social media.

…I don’t have time to sift through thousands of Tweets and Friendfeed messages and blog posts and emails and IMs a day to find the five things that I really need to know…So where is the startup that is going to be my information filter?

Erick’s basically complaining there’s too much output from social media, and he can’t keep up.

Second, Scott Karp. He suggests that it’s not an output problem, but an input problem.

How do you reduce noise on the web? Simple.

Produce less content.

…is shoveling as much content as possible onto the web really the best way to create enduring value?

I respect both bloggers, but they are both wrong. What we have here is a discipline problem.

What do I mean? Just because a new blog is created, a social network launched, or conversation platform released, that doesn’t mean you have to dive in and sign on.

If you go to the candy store and eat everything in sight, you’re going to get sick. Does that mean Hersheys and Cadburys should stop coming up with new candy bars? No, but it does mean that you should show some discipline. Sample the occasional new treat, find you favorite, and eat your candy in moderation.

I have profiles on MySpace, Facebook, FriendFeed, Pownce, LinkedIn, Twitter, and many more. But I’ve realized that I can’t be active in all communities and I honestly don’t care to impress others by showing-off how many social networks I can juggle. Instead, I’ve picked my favorite–Twitter–and choose to focus my efforts and invest my time in making that network valuable to me (and my friends).

The web will continue to pump-out new platforms, networks, and blogs. Some are great tasting, some not so much. If you stuff you face with every new product launched, don’t complain when your tummy (head?) aches.

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20 comments on “If You Eat All the Social Networking Candy, You’re Going to Get Sick!”

Glen Allsopp Says:

April 21st, 2008 at 10:06 am

Great post, and where did I find out about it…Twitter.

I use Facebook for friends, SU for Content and Twitter for business / networking.

Glen Allsopp’s last blog post..Online Reputation Management Proposals: A Guide
Nicole Says:

April 21st, 2008 at 10:58 am

You are bang on target and the analogy is also a great one. This is the problem today and I know a lot of people are simply dropping out of social networks altogether.

Nicole’s last blog post..Need a New Computer?
Seologia Says:

April 21st, 2008 at 11:57 am

I agree with you, Andy. Just because a new social site pops up, it doesn’t mean you need to sign up.

Seologia’s last blog post..Cómo acceder al caché de Google
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April 21st, 2008 at 1:06 pm

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Steven Bradley Says:

April 21st, 2008 at 1:22 pm

Completely agree Andy. The problem isn’t in the networks, it’s with us thinking we need to be involved with all of them.

Pick a few you enjoy and participate. You don’t need to connect with everyone everywhere.

Steven Bradley’s last blog post..Remarkable Is…
Corvida Says:

April 21st, 2008 at 1:27 pm

Great perspective and article! I’d whole heartedly agree with you on this. No one should have to stop, we should show more discipline.

And it could do us all some good to pick one network and stay focused on it instead of trying to juggle them all.

Corvida’s last blog post..Spokeo – Helpful Web App or Cyber-stalking Tool?
PS3 Says:

April 21st, 2008 at 4:53 pm

It’s a bit like those all you can eat buffets… you could easily spend all night there taking it steady but they rely on people going mad and wanting everything at once.

Slowy slowy, catchy monkey!
Paul Baranda Says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 12:50 am

I definitely cannot and will not ever be able to juggle being part of all these social channels. I agree Andy, pick a few to focus on and make it valuable. Spreading yourself out all over and thin will not be beneficial.

Paul Baranda’s last blog post..How To Apply False Eyelashes
Tiffany Says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 2:25 am

Very nice post…Some people choose social networking based on the trend. But, I prefer to your choice, pick one we like most and focusing on it to build networking.
Elections guy Says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 2:59 am

Ok, just stick to your favorite social service.

Elections guy’s last blog post..Polls before Pennsylvania primary: Obama most popular
Piper Says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 7:03 am

I agree. It’s all about the self-control. Personally, I love social media – it keeps less focused and dedicated people busy for hours with insignificant information, making it just a little bit easier for the rest of us to push forward ahead of them.
Jaan Kanellis Says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Over extending yourself in social media is a huge problem for some. I know I have over 50 blogs in my reader in addition to tweets, forums and subscriptions to past posts. It is a lot to take on, but it is up to you to organize it.

Jaan Kanellis’s last blog post..Music and Videos Rule YouTube Searches
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April 22nd, 2008 at 4:35 pm

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September 14th, 2008 at 7:03 pm

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