Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

I was going to leave a comment on Bernie Goldbach’s blog post entitled Silent LinkedIn Generation but thought better of it, mainly because it’s a post I’ve been meaning to write anyway. I started to enjoy reading the post until I saw a link to a post that I had written last year. Linking to my post in confinement would have been ok.

However, it followed this assumption from Bernie

Their dismissive approach papers over their youth. Because most of the social networking gurus strutting their stuff did not use e-mail before 1990.

That’s a wild assumption and one I didn’t appreciate. Before I reiterate my thoughts about Facebook and LinkedIn in full, I’d like to address his assumption because you should ‘never assume’. I was one of the very first employed by AOL when it was a small startup during the mid 90’s. Amongst launching 56k modem protocol and many other interesting technologies such as AIM, I had to self-each myself how to build a Web site so I could teach the trainers, who then taught the technicians. So, like many others who have commentated on the subject, I’ve been around a while. Now that I’m finished with the anatomy size comparison in the mirror I’d like to address the debate.

I don’t dismiss LinkedIn or any other site/tool/technique for the latest fad. I make the switch when the current incumbent adds little to no value to me personally. I like LinkedIn. It does what it says on the tin. But for me, that’s not enough anymore. I continue to use Facebook for many business related activities. For example, I offered the position as Chair of Segala to one of my connections on Facebook recently. Why? Well because it’s the only way we communicate (apart from face to face of course).

As I’ve said before, the people with whom I’m connected on Facebook include some of the most senior people at the biggest brands in the world, as well as government agencies and design agencies. Facebook isn’t dead. It’s only dead to those who move from fad to fad.

I never went to university so I don’t have university friends on Facebook. My 586 Facebook connections is mostly made up of the people with whom I’m connected in real life. Although Facebook has and continues to help me create and build new meaningful relationships with people I may not otherwise have met.

I was going to link to my post to which Bernie links, but it’s still on the Segala blog. It was supposed to be moved to this blog along with everything else that’s not related to Segala’s business so I’ve published my original thought piece below. The original post attracted 40 comments so it managed to stimulate a debate. I believe it triggered a few email forum debates too.

My original thought piece which holds truth today

Ok, for the last time and to put an end to some speculation, I’m no longer updating my LinkedIn profile (full stop).

The reason is simple. I use Facebook as my shop window, into which you can see who I am, who I know, what I stand for, what I’m working on, where I am and anything else I’d like you to know. If I write a blog post, send a twitter or have pictures taken of me talking at an event, you’ll see them via my RSS feeds which are pulled in from various Web sites.

You’ll even see pictures of me looking pissed (even though I’m not in 99% of them, honest). You’ll also see information about projects I’m working on and networking events I’d like my friends and colleagues to attend. Think of Facebook (my use of it anyway) as a very discrete marketing tool, albeit a byproduct of using the tool and network for fun.

I don’t expect all my LinkedIn connections to ‘move’ to Facebook, but I woud like them to register a Facebook account if they’re really interested in ‘connecting’ with me. Some are likely to be skeptical, assuming Facebook isn’t for business people. If you’re one of these people, think again and look at my list of friends. Amongst them you’ll find very senior, connected and respected people from organisations such as Microsoft, Vodafone, O2, emap, BT, New Media Age (NMA), Haymarket, Conchango and the BBC to name but a few. Then, look at their network of friends… you’ll notice that many of us have mutual friends. This is the best implementation of technology I’ve seen to help build circles of trust.

Facebook enables me to ‘engage’ with friends and colleagues on a regular basis. It helps me to build new relationships and strengthen current ones seamlessly. It even helps my close friends and I to communicate more frequently. I even find myself checking Facebook messages before opening an email client. Most of my personal messages are business related so it’s not as if I’m turning to fun before important work (although they are the same thing for me). I think it must be the personal touch of Facebook.

I would like to point out, that you are not forced to show people anything you’d rather not share. You can also control what you see of others, to ensure you don’t get swamped with stuff you don’t care about.

I will sometimes (however rare) accept Facebook connection requests from people I don’t know personally. This however, only happens when they’re friends of people I know well and trust. It must also be relevant. I also connect with people who are associated with organisations with which I’ve got a strong relationship. For example, I’ve started a group for BIMA (British Interactive Media Association). I Chair BIMA so it would be rude not to connect with members, all of whom I do want to engage with as much as possible! Facebook won’t replace the BIMA Web site, blog or email. It’s intended to aid the build of a community and promote BIMA related activity. Perhaps we’ll extend this to promoting the exclusive projects I’m working on with major brands.

For the record, I will continue to accept LinkedIn invites from people I know, but they’re worthless because I won’t be updating my profile and I won’t ever log in to use it. That is of course, assuming they remain Social Network 1.0 status while Facebook steams ahead as Social Network 3.0 service pack 16. Heck, I don’t even us Upcoming anymore for events.

So, get yourself onto Facebook if you wish to grab my attention or promote business and fun related stuff that’s relevant to both of us

This post is also intended to address blog posts written by people such as Richard Sedley, Wired Gecko, Aidan, Dennis Howlett. Jemima Kiss from the Guardian has written a nice light hearted piece. It’s also intended to address the few email forums that picked up on my twitter message about my move. Who said twitter doesn’t work?!

It’s sometimes easier to write your own post than it is to write huge comments on other blogs.

[Update] I definitely don’t need LinkedIn anymore as I’ve just exported my entire address book. They should look to import more feeds, rather than export everything.

I use Facebook less but only because I now use other tools with it, such as Twitter, with which I communicate with very early adopters of social media.

Do you think it still holds true. Have you stopped using Facebook? Do you use it more or less?