Tech Blog

[#1]

I was *this* close to closing my Facebook account.

After all the privacy concerns and questions about deleting profiles and what would be done with your information, I was fed up. I'm so glad I kept it up.  Last week I lost my "real" job and Facebook has been my key to reaching out and connecting with new clients.

Think about it.  What's the first thing an employer does when terminating an employee?  They close the email account.  That address
and all it's contacts instantly vaporize.  People now have no way to reach you, and unless you kept a good address book back up, you have no way to reach out to them.

Nearly 70% of people who are let go find new opportunities through their existing business network.  Jobs are rarely gained by finding an opening on a message board - it's who you know.  Facebook is that place that can connect you with those people.  It's the internet's phone book.

Reaching out to people in my contact base has also been easier because people read Facebook emails.  They're still fresh and new and fun to
receive.  When voice mail replaced sticky notes it was fun to receive and people were attentive.  Then voice mail became tired and email was
the new shiny that garnered the most instant and thoughtful response.  Now with email clogging people's to do lists, Facebook is the escape
from the rat race to see what's fun and new.  Those Facebook emails I'm sending and receiving have been the most valuable tools in reconnecting
and rebuilding my network of contacts.

Facebook can be a pain.  It's updates frivolous, it's applications and quizzes trite and immature - but when it comes right down to it, when
you need to find someone and you don't know where to look, Facebook will beat any phone book - hands down.

In a down economy that may or may not be done all it's shrinking, there are lessons for all here:

1. get a Facebook profile.  Even if it's the most bare bones of information, it is your entry into the internet phone book and a way to be contacted.

2. get a secondary email address.  If all you use is yourname@business.com for email, and that evaporates with employment, you'll be lost.  Gmail is a great place to get an email address.

3. if you're not active on Facebook, set up a notification to your active email address whenever you receive messages

4. set up profiles on other social networking sites as backup: Twitter, LinkedIn

5. remember that you may one day need this Facebook account to find a job.  Keep your posts professional.

For some people, misusing Facebook will get them fired.  For those using it properly, Facebook could get you hired.

catch the buzz .. pass it on.

[#2]

Life is so complicated today.

You want to be "found" and you don't want to be found.

You want to have "friends" and you don't want to have friend.