I'm sure you all have read, heard of, and/or already talked about the online networking craze. Having a profile on MySpace, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter is almost as common as having a cell phone. I am quite sure that more people have updated something on one of these sites more recently than they have updated their resume. I include myself in this group, though I did update my resume right after I resigned and before I updated my profiles on such sites.
My quick take on the three social network sites -- they aren't the only ones -- mentioned above is that they serve very different purposes.
I see MySpace as a social network that's used for friends to just banter around and have fun communicating and sharing various aspects of their lives. There is some business being conducted on MySpace, and there are serious contacts being made, but I still think it's more social-based than anything else.
Facebook is really gaining ground in popularity. A site that was originally designated for college students has branched out and grown to include friends and business associates. I have read that a number of employers use Facebook to seek out viable candidates for hire. I think Facebook is the best place to find and get reunited with old friends. Just like with some of the other sites, you can search for people by entering their email address. Most people tend to keep their email addresses, even if they start new email accounts. I believe that you can also search for people by their first and last name on Facebook, which is really nice. Keep in mind, you will only find someone if they have a Facebook account and they don't have to agree to communicate with you. This policy is common practice among such sites. I really like Facebook because I originally joined because a friend wanted me to see a picture of someone who was in her group of friends. In doing so, I just happened to search for a dear friend of mine who moved out of the area, years ago. I was shocked that I got a hit. I sent her a message and she became my friend. After that, I could see who here friends were, and vice-versa, and I sent invites to some people I knew in her network. Before long, I discovered that a number of my siblings, and a number of cousins, former coworkers, and friends were on the site. I see Facebook as more fun talk and personal updates than anything else, and they definitely cater to the younger crowd.
The Linkedin netork is brand new to me. I actually put my profile together, this past weekend, and although I had heard it mentioned, it wasn't until a university student I had helped when I worked at the campus, sent me an invitation to join. I though that was very nice of her. Right now, that young lady is my only connection. With Linkedin, I'm not quite sure if I should seek out people in the same line of work I'm in or people who work for the same company. The site does require that you include information about your job, so I'm sure it's designed for career networking than anything esle. I look forward to learning a lot more about it.
My newest discovery is Twitter. Just like Linkedin, I heard about Twitter and even went to the site, but I never created an account. Then, two weeks ago, a former coworker and good friend of mine sent an invitation to my email to join him on Twitter. I didn't do it right away, but I kept the email because I knew I wanted to find out more. Well, I finally went to the site and opened up an account, this week, and I absolutely love it. I find Twitter to the best of all the sites I've listed because you have so much information at your disposal at any time. Also, Twitter only allows very short messages -- about two to three medium-length sentences -- to be sent at one time. This can be frustrating when you are writing a message, but it's great when you are reading them because whoever writes them must get right to the point. If you love reading inspirational quotes, getting quick news headlines, and obtaining quick tips, Twitter is for you. It should also be added that in your message, you can include URL's, links, and emails to other sites. So if a reader wants more information, he or she can go there, right at that moment or later on. Another great thing about Twitter is you have a much more diverse group of members. On top of that, you get to see and read messages directly from the source, and the sources include companies, agencies, schoools, sports teams, tv programs, authors, speakers, celebrities, and more. Yes, of course you will have a lot of messages about promotions, items for sale, and messages that try to lure you to another site, but you can easily bypass those. Plus, you don't have to "follow" another person, even if they are following you.
No matter which online networking site is your favorite, I strongly encourage all of you to take full advantage of them, especially while we can all do so for free. Like it or not, electronic networking is changing our world, from how we meet others to how we do business. Stay on top trends and changes ... or be prepared to get changed by them.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
EXCITING TIMES
Hello, Everyone.
I hope you are all achieving your dreams. I certainly am.
In a week or two, it will be two months since I resigned from an associate dean's position at large university. I haven't stopped working -- I've continued to teach online -- but I have stopped dealing with the rat race. I don't think I can ever go back. Modestly speaking, I know I could find another full-time job pretty quickly but being able to do what I truly love, teach, learn, share information, and help people improve their lives, makes all the difference in the world.
Freedom from the rat race doesn't come without a heavy price, though. I really, really miss the check I used to get when I worked full-time. I also miss the health care benefits and life insurance policies I got at a huge discount at the J.O.B. While reviewing the COBRA information I received to notify me that my health insurance would be cancelled, I saw that to continue the same exact coverage I would need to pay $434. Outrageous! Keep in mind, this is health insurance for just me, a single guy with no major health issues. Those of you who are working and get discounted coverage through your employers, don't take that for granted. And if you have kids, you really need to be aware of what you're saving.
Another challenge with not being under the direction of a boss is that you are your own boss. That means you must be responsible for the work you need to do, be it looking for employment, which in itself is a job, or working your own business.
Now, back to the blessings. My whole outlook on life is different. The way I approach all the tasks and duties that go along with being a university professor is different. The way I look at, work, and appreciate my home-based iLearning Global business is different. Why? Because I know I can commit the proper amount of time to these things without being hampered by punching a clock. I know my mornigs won't be filled with dodging idiotic rush hour drivers before going to a place where I don't want to be and doing something I don't want to do for eight, nine or more hours.
My present living situation alows me the flexibility to do what I'm doing, where it wouldn't with most. I'm also fortunate that I just paid my car off, a few months ago. I don't take these things for granted. God has truly blessed me. I also realize that this is not the end of the road. I need to build my iLG business, create other strong streams of income, save and earn a lot more money and help a lot more people before I reach my major goals. I will do it, and I know whatever your major goals are, you will do it, too.
I hope you are all achieving your dreams. I certainly am.
In a week or two, it will be two months since I resigned from an associate dean's position at large university. I haven't stopped working -- I've continued to teach online -- but I have stopped dealing with the rat race. I don't think I can ever go back. Modestly speaking, I know I could find another full-time job pretty quickly but being able to do what I truly love, teach, learn, share information, and help people improve their lives, makes all the difference in the world.
Freedom from the rat race doesn't come without a heavy price, though. I really, really miss the check I used to get when I worked full-time. I also miss the health care benefits and life insurance policies I got at a huge discount at the J.O.B. While reviewing the COBRA information I received to notify me that my health insurance would be cancelled, I saw that to continue the same exact coverage I would need to pay $434. Outrageous! Keep in mind, this is health insurance for just me, a single guy with no major health issues. Those of you who are working and get discounted coverage through your employers, don't take that for granted. And if you have kids, you really need to be aware of what you're saving.
Another challenge with not being under the direction of a boss is that you are your own boss. That means you must be responsible for the work you need to do, be it looking for employment, which in itself is a job, or working your own business.
Now, back to the blessings. My whole outlook on life is different. The way I approach all the tasks and duties that go along with being a university professor is different. The way I look at, work, and appreciate my home-based iLearning Global business is different. Why? Because I know I can commit the proper amount of time to these things without being hampered by punching a clock. I know my mornigs won't be filled with dodging idiotic rush hour drivers before going to a place where I don't want to be and doing something I don't want to do for eight, nine or more hours.
My present living situation alows me the flexibility to do what I'm doing, where it wouldn't with most. I'm also fortunate that I just paid my car off, a few months ago. I don't take these things for granted. God has truly blessed me. I also realize that this is not the end of the road. I need to build my iLG business, create other strong streams of income, save and earn a lot more money and help a lot more people before I reach my major goals. I will do it, and I know whatever your major goals are, you will do it, too.
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