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.

Share This Page

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of StartUp to add comments!

Join this Ning Network

Comment by John Jakobs on January 19, 2009 at 10:20pm: I actually received an e-mail from Facebook stating that because there are so many new and inactive members they will be deleting accounts unless you can take steps to validate and verify that you are a worthy client of Facebook. I must admit I am one of those folks who really didn't use Facebook very effectively. Therefore looking at it from an outsiders point of view I might agree they are not effective business tools.

Comment by The Reese Project on January 19, 2009 at 11:02am: Facebook & MySpace are "social" networking -- do they pretend to be business networking sites? I use them socially. Thanks for the info on the other business sites! I'll use them too... my business is a confusing mess of both social & business contacts ... the music business (did I really say "business" & "music" in the same breath?) ...

Comment by Heavenly Cosmetic Musician on January 19, 2009 at 5:17am: I disagree, I think that both myspace and facebook are valuable tools. However, I also think it depends on the type of business you have. I f you have a business that deals almost entirely with professional people, people that don't really have to interact with the buying public, then, no, social networking sites are not for you. But if you have a business that attracts y generation age 35 and under, then social networking sites do work. True they take a lot of time and energy to really get the work out, but they work. If you are a business owner who really doesn't have that kind of time, hire some one to do it for you, if that's a feasible option. But, I did not know about a couple of the business networking sites, so thanks for that info.

Comment by Paris E. Tompkins on January 18, 2009 at 7:04pm: If one has the time, energy and money, anything can be utilized to advance one's objectives. As I try to cultivate lasting friendships with liked-minded people on Start Up Biz, for example, I am limited in all three, and my membership in Facebook, MySpace and Plaxo are often neglected. Paris

Comment by Celeste Beukes on January 18, 2009 at 9:38am: I agree with the general consenses here about FB , the rest I don't know, but I must say, I've had a slightly different respons to my marketing angle with FB, perhaps because the "nature" of my business, which is hospitality and up market accommodation in the form of a BnB Guest House 2 min from the Jo'burg International Airport. FB has more to do with social than buisness, but I'm all about "social", that's my business. Believe it or not even when people are traveling for business reasons, they still choose places according to their "social preferences", :) so maybe that's why I've had a better experience. :) I'm with most of the other networks mentioned here, and LOVE them for their business angle but I find Linked-In a little difficult to negotiate with its strict systems, but even that in itself is a blessing... FB is totally "off the wall" with what THEY allow! :) AND I always refer the guys from FB over to the other ones. ONE more to add to your list of A1 sites is My Genius.com also a stunning site!

Comment by Rosalind on January 18, 2009 at 1:45am: I am not familiar with Ecademy, Plaxo or Xing - so that information is helpful to me. I have never joined MySpace! My experience has been that Facebook is for social networking - although, I have only been on Facebook for at least five months.. don't spend a lot of time there! I do appreciate the information in your blog as it introduces me to new avenues. Thank you.

Comment by Dr. Erica Goodstone on January 17, 2009 at 11:22pm: Very helpful because you explained the reasons that the sites you listed are valuable for business owners. I am personally listed on a wide variety of professional networking sites within my areas of specialty. What I like about this site is that includes all types of businesses and provides lots of useful tips for building my business.

Comment by Laura on January 17, 2009 at 5:25am: I agree that Facebook is a waste of time to promote your business. I have tried ads and making pages for my business and products, but nothing has come out of it. I just started here, but even if I don't gain tons of customers, I am learning so much! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to put this together, I will definately check out the other places you mentioned.

Comment by Naomi Trower on January 16, 2009 at 10:28pm

AND HERE

I forgot to mention that I have a friend that landed a $30k contract via Facebook. There is definitely a way to do it!

I forgot to mention that one of my really good friends landed a $30k contract via Facebook. There is definitely a way to do it!

Comment by Shelby on January 16, 2009 at 12:16pm: Thank you for some great information. I have just started to jump into the online "networking" communities, and was not sure where the best places to go were for businesses. You have made that easy for me. Thank you!