How Much Time Do You Spend Networking Online?

Bob Bly wrote a post titled “Facebook is for Kiddies, Right?” that has generated a number of responses — both for and against Facebook.

The reasons I don’t “do” Facebook is because 1) I don’t trust the company with my personal information and 2) I simply do not have time.

And, quite frankly, I’m not so sure people who barely know me want to know everything about me.

I do, however, firmly believe that social networking sites like Facebook have a place in the business world. As I commented on Bob’s blog, the CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess hospital blogs, and he has a Facebook page where employees of the hospital can contact him. I think this is a terrific application of both media!

Which leads me to ask, how much time do you spend networking online? Which sites do you frequent regularly? If you use LinkedIn over Facebook (or vice versa), why did you make that decision? Do you use Twitter? Why or why not?

For the record, I have a LinkedIn profile and keep it updated; however, my usage is sporadic depending on my schedule.

I use email, the phone, and face-to-face meetings to keep in touch with those people I talk to on a regular basis.

I’ve looked at Twitter and have even followed a few feeds but see no connection between the Twitter application and my business. I do think Twitter is a fad.

Edited to add: Zowie! Bob Bly set the cat amongst the pigeons with an email to Robert Scoble about Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Check out the ensuing *lively* discussion!