Previously, I resolved to go through 100 blog topics this year. I’m dubbing these the C-Posts.
An apropeau topic, as my mother- and sister-in-laws asked me this morning at breakfast about what value Facebook gave anyone. Here’s what I told them, in order of importance, as it pertains to me:
- Staying in the loop @ work. I work for an information and computer science institution. We’re all about technology, innovation, etc. So I need to stay on top of the work that faculty conduct so that I may tell their stories. I often find these stories by following status updates of faculty and staff that I am “friends” with. In addition, I manage our school’s Facebook group page where I communicate with potential students, current students, alumni, faculty and staff. Facebook is a quick way for me to accomplish these two tasks and reach hundreds in our community.
- Professional networking. LinkedIn, VisualCV, InCircle and the likes are important tools for professional and social networking. Facebook is just as valuable, and in fact provides for more in-roads in the communities that are not otherwise supported by solely-professional networks. A few examples of groups that I find benefit in include Twiistup, UCAdvocacy, and many more.
- Sharing hobbies. People are more willing to share their hobbies online. I can make connections and have conversations with friends that share similar interests, that I otherwise would not have known about. I share my photographs, travel stories, etc.
- Staying in touch. Facebook has reconnected me with old friends, which has been neat. Especially to see how much everyone has succeeded. More importantly, however, I am able to stay in touch with family members that I only see once or twice a year.
After our conversation, they asked me to help set-up their Facebook accounts. I think my ballet dancer sister-in-law, in particular, can benefit her career. through Facebook. Indeed social networking will continue to grow in 2009…
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