Putting Facebook In Its Place

I’ve long ignored generic tweets that encourage me to Facebook friend various marketing, PR, and higher education professionals.  Why, I wonder, would I cross that line?  Between LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogs, the gamut of social media applications allows me to discuss and share anything with would-be colleagues.  Adding Facebook to that list doesn’t enhance the networking experience; more importantly, it robs me of guiltless disclosure.  It robs me of that liberating TMI-and-I-don’t-care feeling.  You see, my LinkedIn profile is like my office, all business, minimal fun.  My Twitter page is like my kitchen, the hotbed for conversation, from low-key to controversial to, yes, even personal.  But Facebook, Facebook is like my boudoir with the shades drawn.  Low traffic and invite-only.

Nothing’s sacred anymore.  I realize this.  However, for as long as possible, I’m gonna try to keep Facebook that way.  I see no need to professionalize my haven for unadulterated fun.  That’s not to say I have an rated-R profile.  It’s just to say that if I want to post a video of my first and only keg stand, by golly I will…branding be damned.

*Inspired by “Building Your ‘Brand’ of YOU” and two recent friend requests.

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2 Responses to “Putting Facebook In Its Place”

  1. wordpost  on June 21st, 2009

    I feel like sending a friend request to you on Facebook now!

    Just kidding.

    There will always be things that we want to share, but not broadcast—which is the advantage to having multiple networks to use.

    Great work, and keep them coming.

  2. Japman_Bajaj  on June 22nd, 2009

    Awesome post. I’ve now been deactivated from Facebook for 6 months for the reactionary version of this post. I thought I was being a good filter when it came to accepting friend requests, then realized that I had long passed the unwritten threshold where networking became perverse.


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