When do networkers work?

Social networking. The latest online buzz-phrase.

We've all become that hyperactive kid with attention deficit disorder who is constantly annoying his or her parents by saying, "Look at me, look at me, look at me."

See, I can say that, because I was that kid. Just ask my incredibly patient parents. But weren't we supposed to grow out of that? I'm sure that sounds hypocritical coming from an artist, which in and of itself is about as narcissistic a profession as you'll find.

While I've read that social networking sites are supposed to be good for one's business and work contacts, I'm willing to bet that 95% of it isn't used for that at all. I know of a number of friends and acquaintances whose employers have made it part of their job to be on Twitter, whether they like it or not. I'm surprised most 'tweets' aren't just entries that go something like this..."Dave is late with his presentation, but his boss told him he has to do at least 16 tweets a day even though he can't get his work done if he..."

Oops. Ran out of characters.

I see the need for a website. I'm a freelancer and clients need to have somewhere to go to see my work and get in touch with me. For years, I didn't see the need for a blog until a very successful colleague in the States told me that he gets more traffic on his blog than he does on his website. Granted, he's got a great blog that he keeps updated often, but I've asked around, and it turns out the same is true for other artists I know. But let's be honest, a blog is an exercise in narcissism as well. I prattle on about whatever I want and watch the traffic grow every week. It's an ego boost to know that people keep tuning in to see what I've posted.

But a blog is also valuable to my business, especially since I can attribute specific instances where having a blog has directly resulted in paying gigs. I've also been thanked by people that have found resources here that have helped them with their own work. So it's also a form of payback, because I rely on other artists' blogs for the same thing. I'm a firm believer in reciprocity, and if you're self-employed, you should be as well.

I believe in forums, too. For me, art forums are a wonderful resource. Creative amateurs and professionals showcasing their work, offering and asking for advice and critiques, and sharing resources. I've had some negative experiences in forums, but mostly positive ones. Best piece of advice I can give about participating in a forum, know when to shut up. I learned that one the hard way.

Facebook and Myspace don't do it for me, though. If you Google my name or company, you find me instantly. The fact that I'm not on those sites does not in any way prevent people from finding me if they're looking.

And when one of these networking models gets old, which doesn't take long these days, there's always something new right around the corner. Recently, I read about a new networking site called Blellow, supposedly for freelancers and entrepreneurs to get together and do all of the things that forums are already doing. I registered in order to check it out. Then I realized it was just another version of Twitter and that I'd opened myself up to getting emails and private messages from anyone and everyone. I promptly ended my membership.

Every time something new comes up, I have a back and forth discussion in my head as to whether or not this will benefit my business. Don't worry, most artists talk to themselves, because we're all just a little bit crazy. Worry about the ones who won't admit it.

When it comes to technology, we're all so afraid of being left behind that we're signing up for anything and everything all because somebody told us we could, but we forget to ask if we should. When you become a slave to technology, it's no longer working for you, you're working for it.

I don't own a Blackberry or iPhone and rarely use my cellphone. I work at home. And when I'm not at home, I have a laptop. Free wireless exists in almost every coffee shop these days. Don't get me wrong, I love gadgets, and each time I see those commercials that say, "there's an app for that," I'll admit to getting a little excited. But I don't need it, and the money I'd spend on the initial purchase and a monthly fee could be better spent on things that actually will improve my business, like promotional material I can send to somebody who really is in a position to give me work.

As a freelancer, I regularly work seven days a week, up at 5:00AM almost every morning, and I put in about 10-14 hours a day. This is not a complaint. I consider myself incredibly fortunate that I am able to make a very good living doing what I love to do, and I decide where to take my career, and when to take time off. I work harder at being self-employed than I ever did for somebody else, and I really do love it. But working that much means time is incredibly valuable and it has to be budgeted. What's the adage...work smarter, not harder?

If you enjoy social networking, that's great. Many people do. But if you're doing it simply because you've been told that you have to, in order to be successful in business, consider that you may just be drinking the kool-aid like everyone else. When it comes to business, time is money, now more than ever. If you're not seeing any dividends from an online networking site, then cut it loose.

The Internet is an amazing resource. I'd hate to be without it. And while many of the advances have increased and enhanced our ability to be better at our businesses, many are just wasting our time. New networking sites will continue to pop up. Check them out, and if they really do look like they'll improve your business, then climb aboard. But as someone told me recently about time management, "if you say yes to something, you have to say no to something else."

Thanks, Tracey.

You can't operate a website, a blog, and a Facebook page, participate in 20 different forums, read 30 different blogs, check your email every five minutes, while texting and twittering your day away and still expect to have any time to do the work you're actually in business for in the first place.

It's frenetic. It' s exhausting. And worst of all, you're not actually working, which means you're not making any money.