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 John Gatto on January 31, 2009 at 8:21pm: Good Bad if it works keep it if not Dump It

Dream Big
John' oneliner' Gatto

Comment by Steve on January 30, 2009 at 4:19pm: Interesting concept. Agree in general but sometimes I wonder if it's how it's approached?

Comment by Cornelia Thomas on January 30, 2009 at 3:56pm: Sometimes social networking IS business networking making the two inextricable. This is especially true for musicians, those who own restaurants, and other service providers. Business isn't just business anymore and social isn't just social anymore. For decades business deals have been made while engaged in social activities in social settings (ie on the golf course). If we can conduct business in social settings why wouldn't we now accept the opposite to be true....that we can also manage social affairs in business settings?

Comment by Sandra Noble on January 30, 2009 at 3:11pm: I didn't know about Ecademy and Xing, so will check them out.

Facebook is increasingly used by business people, but more applicable to certain professions - coaching, speaking and of course information marketing. Oh and let's not forget about network marketing.

Sandra Noble

Comment by Oreoluwa Shogbola- Jefferson on January 30, 2009 at 2:42pm: I do not totally agree with you. I agree with the sites you posted up there. But truth is there is always a problem with every site. None is too efficient. But with facebook, I think it would really help if you post your job or business adverts there because you meet a lot of people who are or might not be interested as is on other sites. Then also there are a lot of entrepeneurship groups which consist of those who have the same interests. Its all part of determination and plans to succeed. Basically, these sites give you a chance of moving forward.

Comment by Andre Besselaar on January 29, 2009 at 1:24pm: Face book is being punted by one of the most successful internet marketing building companies that works closely with Google as a space to watch in 2009 as behind the scenes the owners want to make Face book more attractive to business, a wise move. I know of a few youngsters that are making good money off Face Book contacts, this is where Gen Y hangs out and the networking rules are different. Get the hang of that and it seems as if you have a great platform for reaching the difficult market: Gen Y. Nothing can be disregarded for business this year as everybody needs to adapt, so keep your Face Book account and check their updates and announcement regularly, they are definitely up to something business wise.

Comment by Joel Frost on January 28, 2009 at 5:20pm: I think it all depends on what your product is! An example would be, you wouldn't sell many snow boots in Florida! The right items my sell if they are geared at the younger generation on these sites and even then they would have to be the right thing at the right time!

Comment by Corey Gilmore on January 27, 2009 at 8:39pm: You have to understand the difference between social networking and business social networking. Being new to both I have found that each site has its own ups and down and characteristics. Myspace is very casual and very social, Facebook is very find your old friends oriented and a little more professional, I use linkdin but only about three times..., e-connect at entrepreneur.com is a business oriented network, apparently there are a ton of these things. It seems that more than three or four is a lot to take care of, so I recommend finding a couple you like(such as sup.biz!), and keeping everything appropriate. Happy networking.

Comment by Leo on January 26, 2009 at 3:58pm: I find that the more I judge things and pass judgment on the things I find there are a lot of people find those same things helpful. So I just try them all and if it fits I use it and if not then let it go with out judging it. What is good for me does not always good others.
"when you change the way you look at things,
then things you look at change"
Dr. Wayne Dyer
Blessings to you all

Comment by Stephane Dube on January 26, 2009 at 12:15pm: I think the same as you !
But I find one great one that you can build your network reputation Score,it's "Naymz".

Cordially Stephane