Why Are the Most Creative People in Business Skipping Out on Web 2.0?

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Permalink Reply by Tina Jesson on May 29, 2009 at 1:18am

The problem with social networking is that it can suck you in, just like video and computer games tend to do. If you want to use social media as part of a business, you need to do it with an end in mind. You need to incorporate it in your strategy or just don't go there.
I don't use FaceBook for business contacts, that's my social forum which I hardly ever go to and use it to stay in touch with friends and family back in the UK.
I use LinkedIN as my professional network to keep in touch with people I have worked with around the world - that can be very helpful and I have established a few good strategies there.
I use SmallerIndiana to keep in touch or get connected with people locally and to find out what's happening in my area. I use it more to let people know what I do and what I'm about - not in a sales way but an helpful way (I hope) because I know I may well meet you one day.
I use twitter to announce to my followers some of the new stuff I have created for them. I had a number sign-up to my list after just one posting. It's a good way to get my potential international clients to put there hand up.
Anyway - that's how I use it and I know of others who have success - but it needs to be managed and fit in to your business rather than taking you away from it.

Hope that helps

Oh yes - there's more of this sort of stuff if anyone is interested...
The British Academy of Solopreneurs has just released a new video
How to create visibility for your business n which is what it's all about at the end of the day.

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Permalink Reply by Steph Woodward on May 29, 2009 at 12:04pm

In response to the initial question asked here, I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day who was telling me a story about a friend of his that once met the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. Apparently Zuckerberg is beyond socially awkward. The quintessential computer geek. According to this second-hand story, he couldn’t even hold a normal conversation, and that’s when this guy started putting two and two together. What do the socially awkward do when they want to make friends? They resort to the internet. So it just makes sense that Zuckerberg would come up with a site like Facebook.

While this does seem like a logical explanation for his inspiration, since many people come up with great ideas in response to a personal obstacle (has anybody seen those “Breathe Right” commercials?), it also makes sense that he wouldn’t actually use it. I’m sure that having limited time, as mentioned in previous posts, plays a significant part in determining his use of that tool. More than that, though, people who are that successful are prime targets for media attention, so would you really want the world knowing what you’re up to? One embarrassing photo tag for most of us can be caught quickly, removed, and we can pray that only a few of our most understanding friends managed to see it. Life isn’t that simple for those that the limelight seems to follow. Everything changes when somebody is willing to cough up a few thousand dollars for a compromising photo of you to slap on the front of a tabloid, or pay your “friends” for a sound-byte about what you got detention for when you were in 8th grade.

I guess if we really have to ask ourselves this question, all you have to do is check your Facebook feed and read all of the comments about “Jon & Kate Plus 8” to find the answer.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Moriber on May 29, 2009 at 12:34pm

I just took a brief survey of some of my creative clients and this is what I found:
- Their current contacts (those they gain work from) aren't on or using 2.0/Social Media tools
- They continue to gain new work from "old-school" channels and don't see a need to add the 2.0 (yet)
- When they have used social media many find "fans" but not deep connections
- Many feel they dilute their skill-set by "sharing" too much. They'd rather keep it close to the vest.

-Jason

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Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on May 29, 2009 at 12:43pm

Re:"When they have used social media many find "fans" but not deep connections"

Were they actively engaging their fans and giving them something to do? It's very easy to set up a fan page or open an account, but it won't be beneficial to them if they aren't engaging their audience. I wonder if they are willing to take a different approach and give it another shot?

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Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on May 29, 2009 at 5:31pm

I was actually curious what Jason clients' experience was...

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Permalink Reply by Lalita Amos on May 30, 2009 at 11:29am

I think that there may be more smoke associated with "Web 2.0" than fire. I have about 1,300 followers, many of whom try to sell me on "solutions" to help me gain more followers and many armed with "what Twitter REALLY is supposed to be." Twitter, more than most, is oddly self-referential. The email and blog spammers have moved to a new platform.

So, no, I don't think they're skipping out on Web 2.0 by accident. These tools (electronic social networking--remembering that calls, chats and letters are social networking, though not as "sexy"), are just that: tools. Being sold a bill of goods all the "cool kids" are using TwitFaceSpaceNing, people is more suspect marketing. If I don't need a hammer, being convinced I need to tote one around--well, it speaks to something terribly weird.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Dager on May 30, 2009 at 3:02pm

I was wondering who says that 33% and 19% are not significant numbers. Just from the fact that 33% have already embraced it compared to other businesses and the general public, I would think makes it significant. It says positive things for Web 2.0. 100 of the most creative people don't need social media to find a greater following. Their talent speaks for itself. Also, I would think it depends on the discipline of the 100. Artist may not find it to be an attractive median for them to invest their time in, others such as recording artists, authors do.

I think it would be like asking Seth Godin and Chris Brogan the importance of Television to their life. Or take, the 100 most influential Bloggers and ask them the importance of traditional media.

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Permalink Reply by Nwokedi C. Idika on May 31, 2009 at 7:56pm

I think the answer is pretty simple. Most (if not all) of these people aren't from Generation Y. What accounts for lack of Web 2.0 adoption among the most creative is the generation gap. If you asked most of the people on that list if they experimented with marijuana, there would probably be no "lack of adoption."

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