Are Facebook and MySpace a Waste of Time for Business Networking?

I've discovered that general social networks Facebook and MySpace can be complete waste of time for business. It's that simple. Facebook is a gaming gimmick that wastes office time.

I've therefore decided that I'm only spending time with the "Big 5" business networking sites SUp.biz, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Ecademy and Xing.

I'll focus on Facebook here - my browser keeps crashing with the junk and scripts running on MySpace, and the illegibility of any profiles just makes it unusable.

Let's just look at 3 popular applications on Facebook:

1: Top Friends
Add a box of up to 32 of your BFFs to your profile.
2,658,733 daily active users

2: FunWall
Videos, Photos, Graffiti, Greeting Cards, Embeds and more!
2,603,946 daily active users

3: Movies
Test your movie knowledge with the Never-Ending Movie Quiz.
2,373,887 daily active users

A very impressive list by daily active users, you must agree. Is there anything there that jumps out at you as a compelling reason to spend time online at work 'networking'? Indeed. I could go down the list of the top 20 apps and continue showing you things that have nothing to do with networking.

Let me offer you some alternatives:

1: Top Employees
Access the career history of potential employees and talk to people who worked with them to make sure you make the right hire.
17,000,000+ users at LinkedIn,

2: Blog Roll
Write on your area of expertise, enjoy feedback from your peers, link to your blog or web sites and have your article referenced by Google within 30 minutes of writing it.
300,000+ users at Ecademy

3: Moving People
Tired of updating old addresses and phone numbers and getting bounced emails? Let people you want to stay in touch keep thier own contact details up to date without lifting a finger!
35,000,000+ users at Plaxo,

4: Super Border
If you're thinking of doing business somewhere unfamiliar, how about a database that lest you pinpoint and contact any English-speaking lawyers who enjoy sailing and wine, live near Barcelona, and used to work for XYZ Partners?
3,000,000+ users at Xing

5: Lapel Sticker
Want to meet real business people in your area to find out if they can help you develop your business, advocate your services or become your customer? With hundreds of events monthly, organise and publicise your own events, even carry out registration and take payment in advance from attendees for your own events.
300,000+ users at Ecademy

I'll stop there, as time is money.

The "Big 5" networks are strictly for business, and they segregate the serious from the part-time business people by using a very simple qualifier: They charge for extended use of features or additional, more convenient access to the membership of their networks. Most have free use options, but one can spend a little cash to get rid of ads, run groups, advertise, mail your network updates, search for suitable candidates, etc. Like most business services - you pay more for better quality and choice.

Owning a credit card is a pretty good proof of age, and a qualifier for serious intent in a business is when it puts its money where its mouth is.

Facebook is free because your personal data and interactions with your 'social graph' is being sold to the advertisers.

There are places for social networking.

There are places for business networking.

But if you think there is a place where social networking and business networking can meet, you're wasting your time.

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Comment by DR.UMESH KUMAR SAPRA on March 9, 2009 at 1:35pm: Dear,

It all depends on you whether you are doing the work for time waste or money making. Have a nice day.

Namaste.

thanks.

Love and blessings.

DR.UMESH KUMAR SAPRA,
M.D.AYURVEDA,
CEO SAPRA AYURVEDA,
www.SapraAyurveda.com
Email:umeshsapra123@yahoo.com

Comment by Cha'kwaina on March 8, 2009 at 12:56pm: I do use MySapce and Facebook mainly to keep in touch with old friends, family and few Tribal members.

I do have information about my businesses there--but its not the main purpose of my use of those sites.

I use ActiveRain and Notary Rotary for my NSA networking and they give good results--they are targeted to NSA work.

I am glad to have reviews of these other sites that have come up in my other networking, no one else has been as concise and thorough as you in describing these other business networking sites.

Comment by Judith Beltz on March 8, 2009 at 10:58am: I tend to agree. I do have a profile on facebook. It is too social to be used for business I am seeing. My time is valueable and most focus on gaming. Thank you for connecting me in other directions. I am so not a talker;) My business is for some good solid revenue coming into organizations and I cringe when people take it lightly. I am hoping business to business remedies that. Thank you again SUp.

Comment by Leonard Campbell on March 8, 2009 at 8:46am: For me the jury is out on this. I meet up with a few good partners but nothing I couldn't get off line.

Comment by Ronald on March 6, 2009 at 10:15am: I have enjoyed linking with friends that I have not been intouch with for many years on facebook. For business I rarly get inquires only because I am in the infectious and toxic organisms control business. People dont realize they have mold in thier homes but we all do.. I did get a couple jobs out of Louisana and Florida but nothing to brag about. Thannks for the blog it is a pleasure to express all pur opinions Have a great day all.. who you going to call...Spore Buster

Comment by John Gatto on March 4, 2009 at 10:04pm: Try Twitter it's moving follow me http://twitter.com/1line2

John'oneliner'Gatto
www.dreambig47.com

Comment by Beth Schmillen on March 4, 2009 at 6:31pm: Thanks for the info.

good to know there are other serious business networks outthere

Facebook is ok for my purposes because I connect with family, friends and the people I already know and that also are affiliate marketers. But I'm only there a couple times a week.

I'll be taking a look at Plaxo, LinkedIn, Ecademy and Xing. I may already belong to LinkedIn. Will have to see what I'm missing out on!

Have a great day
Beth

Comment by John Gatto on February 26, 2009 at 8:29am: Don't use facebook much , learning to use Twitter

John'oneliner'Gatto
www.dreambig47.com

Comment by Brett Resler on February 25, 2009 at 6:39pm: yeah, i definately agree. myspace is just a booty call network. although i do like the music side of it. i've discovered some great music on there. facebook too also isnt a business network site, but i find it a great place to just reconnect with old friends. on both sites i could do without the game apps.