Using Facebook strictly for personal use, professional use, or a blend of both?
Displaying all 6 posts by 6 people.
Post #1
MarketShift Strategies wroteon March 11, 2009 at 10:56am
We've been having an internal conversation about this for some time, so we thought we'd hash it out here. Feel free to join the conversation! We'd love to get some outside perspectives and insights.
Post #2
Stephanie wroteon April 1, 2009 at 9:51am
You know when a topic has reached a tipping point, when the lines are blurred between the question of 'personal vs. professional' usage. This discussion is everywhere I turn: I'm encountering this question in all aspects of my life - FB has invaded my book group, college roomates, family discussions. I even have a $100 bet with a school parent that he will join the FB community before the year 2010. O.K. I realize it's a sucker bet - he IS probably going to be the last one to join - but, still, an indication of how pervasive this phenomenon is.
My usage tends to stay professional online. I'm still a little paranoid about opening up my personal foibles into the www sphere. I prefer to make a fool of myself in the comfort of my own home or in-person with friends.
My usage tends to stay professional online. I'm still a little paranoid about opening up my personal foibles into the www sphere. I prefer to make a fool of myself in the comfort of my own home or in-person with friends.
Post #3
Vanessa wroteon April 1, 2009 at 9:55am
Personally, I like to live separate lives - a career life and a personal life. Sure, there is some overlap, but these two lives are reflected through social media by which channels I use for each 'life', if you will. I twitter and blog on my professional life, Facebook on my personal. I know a lot of people like this - maybe it's a generational thing? What do you think? Are you an open book, or do you separate, or categorize your life?
Post #4
Amy wroteon May 13, 2009 at 9:45pm
>>when the lines are blurred between the question of 'personal vs. professional' usage>>
Is my case typical of the creative professions, I wonder? That line of personal and professional is already blurred for me; a lot of my Facebook friends are other media, marketing, and advertising professionals that I've worked with, and been unreserved friends with too! Even my clients, for the most part, already know my foibles: including the corporate ones! Sit in an editing room or an agency planning session with someone for a few hours and the veneer wears thin; more truth comes out. It has happened many times. I think back to some clients from the more conservative corporations, like Sprint or McDonalds, and I think it can be refreshing for them. For myself, online or in person, I rarely feel a compulsion to be anything other that what I am all the time: driven by creativity, caught in reaction to the moment (ADD all the way, baby!), It's an advantage for me....you're not picking me to lead the direction of your company. You're picking me to throw one spear.
Is my case typical of the creative professions, I wonder? That line of personal and professional is already blurred for me; a lot of my Facebook friends are other media, marketing, and advertising professionals that I've worked with, and been unreserved friends with too! Even my clients, for the most part, already know my foibles: including the corporate ones! Sit in an editing room or an agency planning session with someone for a few hours and the veneer wears thin; more truth comes out. It has happened many times. I think back to some clients from the more conservative corporations, like Sprint or McDonalds, and I think it can be refreshing for them. For myself, online or in person, I rarely feel a compulsion to be anything other that what I am all the time: driven by creativity, caught in reaction to the moment (ADD all the way, baby!), It's an advantage for me....you're not picking me to lead the direction of your company. You're picking me to throw one spear.
Post #5
Colleen wroteon June 18, 2009 at 11:12am
I prefer to use facebook for personal and family and Linked in for professional. But when organizations that I want to keep track of use facebook I either have to forego the link or mix it with my family news. Neither is my preference so I just make a choice.
Post #6
Tom wroteon August 18, 2009 at 6:35am
I agree with Amy Taylor on this topic. I also work in a creative (internet) branch and the lines are really blurred. Lots of old co-workers are actually friends so my Facebook account is a blend of professional and personal contacts.
When I reflect everything - and could start over - I'd use two separate accounts for both uses. The professional profile would list all professional relevant information and I'd only add people that are important enough to keep in your network.
On my personal profile I'd only list few details, no school or work related material and I'd add just regular friends.
Right now, I make use of Facebook lists to manage different kind of connections and set different permissions to each list. (online contacts can only see certain things but no wall posts, incl. people from work), etc.
When I reflect everything - and could start over - I'd use two separate accounts for both uses. The professional profile would list all professional relevant information and I'd only add people that are important enough to keep in your network.
On my personal profile I'd only list few details, no school or work related material and I'd add just regular friends.
Right now, I make use of Facebook lists to manage different kind of connections and set different permissions to each list. (online contacts can only see certain things but no wall posts, incl. people from work), etc.