A good friend and I have a friendly rivalry going on foursquare. As we often check into the same places, we tend to steal Mayorships back and fourth. “Oh no you didn’t!!” I texted her last night after receiving word that she ousted me as the Mayor of Applebees.”My people will be in touch soon to discuss the transition.” she sent word back.
I tend to write about using foursquare for business, but there are just as many reasons to use it for fun. You know, we social media people like to put a value on everything. For us, it’s all about the R.O.I. action. I often wonder if we do that in part to justify how much time we spend on Twitter, Facebook or foursquare. Because, let’s face it, the social networks are an enjoyable way to pass time, even if we’re using them for business. Still, sometimes value has more to do with personal enjoyment over monetary rewards.
Business or Pleasure?
Now, I’m supposed to tell you it’s important to separate business from pleasure on the social networks, but I don’t believe that to be true. I only have one Twitter account and use it to engage both friends and business contacts alike. I talk about business-y things as well as discussing my personal life (without getting into TMI territory) and it doesn’t seem to turn too many people off. I’ll even go as far as to say that I’ve noticed many of the “biggest” social media professionals also don’t have separate business and personal brands.
Facebook is a little different – I do have a Facebook page for Kommein, but I also have a Facebook account that includes both old and new friends, former clients, and folks I know as business acquaintances through social media. Still, and again, we have fun with our accounts. Not everything we share has to do with driving traffic or bringing in business. Sometimes we just want to chat about our kids or reminisce about our past.
If you’re looking to learn more about how social media can help you to find work, advance your career, build your brand or bring in clients, this isn’t your post. I’m not talking about ROI with this one. It’s OK to use social media for pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with watching time suck videos on YouTubes or reading blogs having nothing to do with your profession. Feel free to play Farmville (but be warned, not everyone cares about your updates) and share your lunch details on Twitter. You CAN enjoy yourself, even if we’re not always supposed to talk about it.
People who spend time enjoying themselves online are made out to be basement-dwelling geeks. I live above ground, and I’m willing to bet you do too. So how much time do you spend using social media for fun – not business?
