This is not a post with snazzy SEO-focused content. There is no catchy title with the words “Five reasons to…” or “How to….” It’s longer than a good blog post should be, and it’s got more than the advisable amount of info, explanations and links. In other words, it’s just me . . . bein’ me . . . and veering off the path! 🙂

I’ve written about my support for social sites before, but recently I have seen first hand the positive sides of social networking and the beneficial use of technology. As with anything in life, moderation must rule supreme. Social networking can be a huge time waster—or a ginormously helpful tool!

Here are some personal shout-outs for the positive benefits of some of the most popular social networking sites and other tools of technology:

Twitter: I follow the tweets of a man by the name of Michael Hyatt, the author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. He’s a strong leader with strong principles and I have chosen to learn from what he has to teach. One day he “re-tweeted” (posted someone else’s post as a means of sharing it with others) a notice that a company was looking to hire additional virtual assistants (administrative assistants who can work for someone via remote from any location, thereby cutting costs and permitting greater focus and productivity). Because of the information on that re-tweet, I found, researched and connected with an awesome company that involves the work of two business names: The Miles Advisory Group and eahelp.com. These are great people, and I will unreservedly point prospective clients and prospective executive assistants in their direction! Bottom line: I doubt I would have learned of them had it not been for Twitter. [I “tweet” about twice a day, and I limit my time on Twitter to ten minutes per day. My twitter name: BrendaStrohbehn]

Facebook: Earlier this year I posted this article about my support for Facebook. However, my appreciation for this site  has only grown since that time as I have now established three business “pages” on Facebook in addition to my personal account. Through those “pages,” I have been able to share information about the three websites I currently have: my wedding planner, my freelance proofreading and editing and about this blog. For those who “like” these pages, information appears on their news feed when I post something new to those pages. This also allows me to keep my personal page free from business—though I do “share” to my personal wall a link for what I have posted on a particular page that day. [Since most of the information on my pages involves links to my websites or short pieces of information, I am able to limit my total time on Facebook to approximately 15-20 minutes per day. I pop on frequently throughout the day, but rarely for an extended period of time, and rarely do I exceed 15-20 minutes per day.] These are the links to my Facebook pages:

The Organized Bride (theorganizebride.info is the Facebook name) – the wedding planner

PEP Writing Services – freelance/contract proofreading, editing and publishing preparation

Petals from the Basket – the Facebook page that goes hand-in-hand with this blog

Blogs: Here is where I could spend much more time than I have available to give! I love to learn from others and that poses a problem when there are so many awesome blogs to read! Thankfully, those who truly “get” the purpose of their blogs and truly have something worth saying can usually keep the post concise in its content. I’ve added a few new blogs to my “almost daily” list to read (in fast, for most blogs, I “subscribe” so that they come straight to my mailbox). [I spend approximately 15 minutes per day reading blog postings and blog-related emails.] I am including links to three of my new faves in case you are interested in adding those to your lists as well:

michaelhyatt.com – Michael Hyatt is a leader who shares what he learns—and I like that. He’s done it well, and if reading his blog posts will teach me something new in the process, then count me in!

pilgrimontheloose.com – I met this gem of a woman at my Tuesday Bible Study this summer and enjoyed reading through her very practical and authentically written Christian blog.

fotoseli.smugmug.com – Although not a blog posted in words, this site has some beautiful photographic art. Though there are many “photographers” today, Liz has a unique and heartfelt style that invites you into her scenic pictures. She’s very good at what she does, and I encourage you to visit this site as well!

Pinterest: Crazy fun! Ideas galore! Free! To register or to simply view ideas posted by others, go to pinterest.com.  [I limit myself to a maximum of ten minutes per day on Pinterest.]

All said, I spend less than an hour a day (on the average, 30 minutes per day) learning from and enjoying what I truly believe to be tools of social networking and technology. I hear and read a lot of negative about these sites—usually from those who haven’t tried them—and thought I’d take a break from the norm and share with you some POSITIVE feedback on these helpful tools!

As I stated before, social networking can be a huge time waster—or a ginormously helpful tool! As with anything, you get to choose!

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