It's a common topic of discussion, so I decided to share my common practices with you, my readers. Whether you've discussed in person with your network, or tossed the idea around online, there are typically rules that we each individually follow when it comes to "friending" online.
These rules we live by are personal, based on our ideas, likes/dislikes, habits, interests, profession, social circles, beliefs, and motivations. I'm sure there might be more categories by which a person might develop their personal "friending" habits, but all in all, the bottom line is no two people will have the same internal reasons.
Just the Facts
It would not surprise me that if you're reading this post, that perhaps you're a member of several online networks. Some of the biggest ones for me are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It's okay to be a part of several networks, I personally have chosen to limit how spread out I am in order to be able to participate with quality discussion as opposed to planting my thoughts haphazardly across many networks. As such I have developed a method of "friending" in each of these networks.
Friends on Twitter
Twitter is my catch all in terms of "friending." I have the loosest set of rules with regards to who I decide I follow. More than likely if you follow me, I will in turn follow you. My only real restrictions are that you have a certain number of personal posts, especially if you've been on the network for awhile, and second, that you provide more to the conversation than spam. If all you do is link spam with little to know depth in our relationship I will end up dropping you.
I think of Twitter like a party, more than likely I'll float around and talk with a lot of people. In my discussions I'll probably start chatting with someone that I never knew. In turn we build a small relationship and now I've met someone new. That is pretty much how Twitter works for me. It's a great way to gauge your ideas, learn new things, and find alternate points of view you would have never otherwise been privy to.
I truly believe the more you give to Twitter, the more you will get out of it. It's just as important for others to find value in who you are as it is you finding value in them. So if you're on Twitter feel free to add me to your network.
Friends on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is probably the most successful professional network there is. There are a few open source platforms that exist, but none have gained the following that this site has. It has been a great way to bring your resume to life. The site allows you to not only place your career history on there, but it also allows users to interact thru recommendations, Q&A sections, and other applications that can be added for further professional development.
On LinkedIn I friend based on personal connections that exist in real life, but I also connect with strangers that I've met on other networks that have similar interests to mine in the event that perhaps they know of an opening that would fit my skills.
While my "friending" habits on this network are more restrictive, it has worked with me so far by providing me contract leads that have developed into profitable relationships for both sides.
Friends on Facebook
This is the network that I use primarily for my closest network of personal contacts. If I have not had any conversation with you, been a part of your life for a certain length of time, or have anything in common with you, I typically deny friend requests. Facebook is the social network that I have the least amount of "followers" as opposed to my other networks. Not due to lack of personal contacts, but due more to the lack of wanting to clutter my homepage with people I do not personally care for.
Denying friend requests is considered taboo by some, an act that makes people cringe, but again, it's a personal choice. I look at my networks like tiered system and each tier has its own rules to play by.
That being said, what rules do you play by? Leave your comments here on how you decide who you friend on what network.
Photo Credit Meer
