Social Media: Is It Rude Not to Reply?
ByA newbie to social media commented that she’s overwhelmed with it all. Particularly with Facebook. Between all the firemen requests and flower requests and event invitations she feels like she should be doing nothing but replying to people on Facebook.
“I was taught in business you always answer every email and return every phone call,” she said. “But if I did this with Facebook, I’d never get any other work done.”
So the question is, “when is it rude not to reply?” The entire point of social media is to be social. This includes sending personal messages to people, writing on their wall, commenting on their blogs and more. But at some point you have to say “enough” and get your paying work done.
My rule of thumb is if someone writes me a personal message, I always take the time to reply. Not always right away, but I do my best. When it comes to all the other ways of communicating, it’s a little less cut and dried.
Personally, I hate those Facebook requests – where people send you virtual flowers, or diamonds or whatever. If you wouldn’t send me real flowers at my office, why send me virtual ones?
There is one gentleman who is a Facebook friend. I don’t know him and he’s never sent me a personal message, written on my wall or done anything to get to know me in even the most superficial of ways. But he keeps sending me those requests; sometimes four or five a day. It doesn’t take any thought or effort. I’m sure he sends the same requests to everyone on his list. It’s gotten so when I see his name, I get irritated.
Imagine my delight when I saw a blog post by Facebook expert Mari Smith about how to block these Facebook applications. No more “you’ve been bought” or “good karma requests”. Not only can you block all requests for a particular application, you can block ALL requests from certain individuals. The gentleman I mentioned previously has now been blocked and I can view my Facebook requests with comfort.
To learn exactly how to block these Facebook apps, check out Mari Smith’s blog post where she offers detailed instructions about blocking apps and individuals.
Happy social networking.
Andrea J. Stenberg
Andrea:
I could not agree more! There are only so many hours in the day, and at some time we need to work to pay the bills. As a business network, I don’t see Facebook as a way to get business or network with people I can help get business or can help me get business. I’m finding that it’s better to be selective and stick with one or two social media sites where quality time and effort can be expended and not try to be everywhere.
Terri,
I agree; sticking with a small number of social media sites is necessary. You can’t be everywhere. It’s far more productive to focus on creating a visible presence on a small number of sites, rather than spreading yourself out too thin.
However, I disagree that Facebook is not a way to network with people. It can be a very useful tool for some businesses,if used properly. It depends on your business, who your customers are and your personality. It has a much more casual tone than LinkedIn, for example, but this can be a good thing.
In the end, it doesn’t matter which social media site you choose, as long as you are consistent, professional and are getting results.
Andrea
I write two blogs daily and one a week for Boomer411. This takes a lot of time. If a social network can help your business, which one should you choose? How can it help your business?
I’ve been reluctant to get started in social networking due to the time involved. Andrea, I appreciate your blog about how you manage your time in social networking.
I write a boomer consumer blog called The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide at http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com.
Rita