Success in Sweatpants

I keep encountering people who are trying to figure out if Facebook and/or Twitter is worth trying. To a man (or woman), they are analyzing each, picking them apart. About Twitter: How useful is it to know what somebody had for breakfast? About Facebook: What’s the point of seeing photos of peoples’ kids or dogs?

Shame on them.

My $0.02 (and suggestion) about using Twitter and Facebook–

JUST DO IT.

Trying to “figure” them out is like analyzing the merit of going to a party–am I going to have to hear people talk about inane topics? Is the food going to be worth it? What if I get bored? Oh, what’s the bother, I’ll just stay in and watch TV in my PJs…and what opportunities might be missed with that decision?

And like a party, the value of time spent on Facebook and Twitter is in direct proportion to the quality of the people around you. Follow people who only talk about what they had for breakfast or only post photos of their dogs–probably not real worth your time. Follow people who only market, talk as if they are Buddhas who have learned the secret of life (or marketing or business) and do nothing but flog their products, events, books, etc.–irritating at best, incredibly maddening at worst. Follow people who talk about the world, business, and themselves in a thoughtful, thought-provoking, and authentic manner (oh, and also offer their products and services, which is fine, because now there is a relationship there and they’ve earned your trust)–THAT’S worth something!

The best way to grok Facebook and Twitter is to dive in. Connect with people who appeal to you and with whom you have other people in common. Let folks know you are there…invite people you admire to “friend” you in both places. Start some conversations, share some links, talk some business, let people know about you as a person. I promise you that as time goes on, you will see what the buzz is about…and what huge business (and life) building tools these “strange creatures” are!

Commit to both for six months. If, after that time, you still think it’s for the birds (no pun intended), just leave. There’s no penalty for deciding these are not your cup of tea…but there’s a potential world of opportunity to be lost by overanalyzing them and not just trying them out.