People ask me: “Do I need to be on Twitter?”
I ask them: “Do you need a powerful media stream to share information?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Do I need to be on Facebook?”-
I ask them: “Do you need to keep top of mind with friends and associates?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Do I need to be on Linkedin?”
I ask them: “Do you need a powerful networking tool?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Should I subscribe to blogs?”
I ask them: “Do you need to keep up-to-date on current ideas, opinions, and topics related to your industry?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Should I write a blog?”
I ask them: “Do you wish to be considered an expert in your field?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Should I open a Google alerts account?”
I ask them: “Do you care about what people are saying about you or your company on the Web?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Should I keep up on topics via Twitter?”
I ask them: “Do you need the most up-to-date information on the planet?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Should I use an RSS reader?”
I ask them: “Do you care about saving time by receiving updates in one place from your favorite blogs and Web sites?”
If not, the answer is no.
People ask me: “Should I care about search engine optimization?”
I ask them: ”Do you care about increasing traffic to your Web site?” If not, the answer is no.
I’m sincere when I say there are millions of people who can answer no to all the above questions. They should not even bother with social media outside of having a little fun and killing time.
Rosh
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b90ef5ea-0ff6-40d0-96d2-cf117a44b74e)
Tags: blogging, Facebook, linkedin, social media, Twitter
Good Q&A Rosh.
I wonder why people make such a big deal about it though, it is a commitment but still it is not like converting to a new religion to use social media for personal/business use. Those who are opposed to it are sometimes REALLY opposed to it and I guess that always surprises me. But you are right, if their answers are no, they should not bother. The funny thing is some of the people I know opposed to social media can answer yes to almost all of these questions.
Rosh, I agree completely that social media isn’t for everyone, and that each person should think about their goals and uses for each platform and community; participating in each is not necessary or worth the time for many people.
But, as I’m sure you know, there are *far* more uses beyond the simple Q&A for each platform you listed above; the questions you listed above are only a small sample of the potential ways people could use each digital and social media tool, platform and community.
You are absolutely right Taylor. It’s a list that could go on for a long while. I encourage people to add to it.
Rosh
[...] iphone application to publish photographs, new media photographer community member shout outs, Ask me about social media, networking and sharing your story, ISO image search [...]
Rosh: honestly, it’s something you’ve dug into in past posts, so you know about the range of uses: but not everyone does. And that’s how *you* help lead people learn and use “digital and social media for photographers”; just keep the posts coming and the list will grow…