When I teach about social networking, I often refer to familiar analogies to explain the various types of social networking sites. My favorite: THE PARTY ANALOGY.

MySpace is like the big open kegger/block party where anyone and everyone is invited. They spill beer on your carpet and eat all your food, but it’s all in good fun.

Facebook is like that cool warehouse party where you need a secret password to enter. It takes some effort to get in, but once you’re there you can loosen up and enjoy the party.

Twitter is the front stoop outside the party where all the smokers congregate. No, that doesn’t mean that all Tweeters are smokers, it’s just the easiest analogy I can come up with. You’re not there long, your interaction is quick and to the point. Relationships are struck up quickly (”gotta light?”) with little time for lengthy b.s.

 Linked In has a much more “closed door” feel to it. I liken it to the party where you really need to show an invitation and it’s pretty obvious if you’re just there trying to crash the party. I find Linked In to be more formal than my tastes prefer, maybe that’s why I don’t use it all that much. (That doesn’t mean it isn’t great for you, however!)

Deciding which social networking sites to invest your time in is an important decision. Why waste your time at a party where your people aren’t?

When I’m working with others around social networking, be it coaching, consulting, or teaching a teleclass, I make sure that everyone understands the sites that are the best match for them. As you can see, I am not about to give up on Linked In even though I don’t use it that much. But I do have ways to stay visible on that site “just in case”. And… it doesn’t take a second of my time.

Learn how to connect to your ideal social networking sites August 5, 7, 12, and 14 when I run my one-time-only teleclass How to Get Free Publicity and Attract New Clients with the Power of Social Networking. You’ll also learn how to integrate your social networking so an update to one is an update to all. Space is limited so be sure to check it out now!

In the meantime, party on!