I have about 300 friends on Facebook. Some of them I know personally. Some of them I don't. A few months ago, a few of my Facebook friends, ones I don't personally know, came to an event I hosted. When I went to introduce myself, they told me they were my FB friends. Can you say awkward?
Why do I befriend people I don't actually know? Because as an author and a speaker, I know that you never know where you will get the next great lead. I've had tons of interest and made business deals with people who found me via Facebook, Twtiter, LinkedIn, etc. I have experienced the direct benefits of social networking.
So it always amazes me whenever I speak that the inevitable question is "Who Should I Become Friends With?" From what I hear, there are many who fear bleed through. What if their personal photos were viewed by colleagues?
The good news is that you can use lists to give permission to your "friends." But the other thing I would remind everyone is that once you put something up online, it lives forever. There's no such thing as "Permanent Delete" in the Internet Universe. So be realistic. Never put something online that you wouldn't want everyone to know.
Apparantly, I'm not the only one friending everyone. The NY Times did a great article on how business owners of every caliber are using social networking and they offer some guidelines for you. Read more here.
Who do you friend online?
Alison Woo, Chief Media Maven
