Social networking is a recent invention that has the internet still at the edge of its seat due to its popularity with people. This is mostly because it really is for the people. Bringing every kind of social group together in one place and letting them interact is really a big thing indeed. Everything about it lies on the advantages and disadvantages of social networking, and what it can do for you.
Here are the advantages that can be more than enough for you to want to join in.
Low cost: Definitely, it’s cheaper to use online social networking for both personal and business use because most of it is usually free. While personal use is rather simple for anyone, the business functions are underestimated by many. In a social networking site, you can scout out potential customers and target markets with just a few clicks and keystrokes, adding a boost to your usual advertisements and promotional strategies. It lets you learn about their likes and dislikes, which is tremendous. If you want to fine tune your business, then this is the way to go, whether on a budget or not
Builds credibility: You definitely can gain the customers’ confidence if you can connect to them on both a personal and professional level. Despite having to do a bit of work, it definitely pays off as you can be tapped for an offer if someone catches wind of your products or services. As long as you don’t pursue them too aggressively, you will do well here.
Connections: You are friends with people who have other friends, and so on. There is potential in such a common situation. By using a social networking site, you can do what you can and get connected with these people to form a web of connections that can give you leverage if you play your cards right. As long as you give as well as you receive, then they will most likely stick with you. These connections are definitely valuable in the long run. However, what about the disadvantages though?
Face to face networking: A little less personal than face to face networking. Yes there are steps you can take to remove those impersonal touches, but the reality is that you will never have the full personal touches that face to face networking have. Instead, you have to bring your own personality to the table, so when you are on social networking sites people get a good feel for who you are, and what you are about.
A little more time taking: Keeping up with social networking can be a full time job (or for any of my clients my job). You have to make sure that you respond to people in a reasonable time. That is not always 100 percent possible. This is why it is so crucial to be as timely as possible when dealing with people on social networking sites.
Scams and harassment: There is a potential for failure of security in both personal and business context. While many sites apply certain measures to keep any of these cases of harassment, cyber-stalking, online scams, and identity theft to an absolute minimum, you still may never know.
There are many disadvantages of doing social networking. In the end, you have to be aware that using this strategy is like any other marketing strategy with pros and cons. There are good things about social networking and bad. Just be aware of the disadvantages of social networking before you start.
HINA BAIG
Karachi
Good written.
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