Facebook or LinkedIn: Which Networking Sites Should You Join?

By Krishna De

Earlier this week I received an invitation to join an online social networking community from an old college friend who is now based in New Zealand.

My heart sank...at the idea of having to join another online social networking group. So I carefully crafted my reply to say, in short, I'd love to stay in contact, but unfortunately I'd have to decline since I was already on Facebook, LinkedIn, Ziggs, Ecademy, Twitter, Jaiku, participated in a number of online forums, and contributed to a number of blogs.

I knew that I could not do justice to being an active participant on yet another online forum. (Similar to a Thanksgiving dinner, taking on another social networking site was like taking that extra mouthful of turkey and feeling like you're about to explode!)

I know I am not alone.

I just heard from a friend that was about to unsubscribe from Facebook, fearing he was spending too much time online. Another friend emailed me to say he was cleaning up his LinkedIn contacts, but was staying on because there were a number of people he wanted to be connected with.

Often people ask which social networking site they should use, and the answer is always, "It depends on your goals for being a member." It's the same as joining a professional (non-virtual) association.

Let's look specifically at LinkedIn and Facebook and at some of the reasons why you might join each.

LinkedIn

If you're going to start networking online, start here. If you are in a corporate a position, you can:

Add your complete work history and career profile – it's like having your CV or resume online

You can search for people through your immediate contacts that you'd like to connect to.

For example, when the 2006 Round Ireland Yacht Race was taking place, I used LinkedIn to get to the organizing team, to introduce them to key contacts, and to share research.

You can make your profile visible in a Google search. It's critical that when people search for us by name we have personally created material for them to find, and not left it to someone else (who has something negative to say).

You can add testimonials and recommendations to your profile – consider this an online reference.

Be seen by executive search consultants and recruiters who are looking to find candidates. LinkedIn is seen as the professional online network.

Facebook

More and more business leaders are moving onto Facebook. This is partly due to the publicity about Facebook and word of mouth, and partly due to its ease of use.

In Facebook you can:

Directly connect to people unlike on LinkedIn where you need a paid membership to directly contact people. I've been amazed at some of the world-leading experts who have been happy to connect to my Facebook network.

Customize your Facebook page to reflect your interests and expertise, thus enhancing and projecting your personal brand online.

Use Facebook purely for personal networking as many people do. Your Facebook profile is not visible to the search engines so there are no risks that it will be found in a Google search. However, make sure that whatever you write online is something you'd be happy for anyone to read.

Quickly scan information and news from your network and follow up if there is something of interest.

Add your feeds from your blog to your Facebook profile.

People are generally more active on Facebook which makes it feel like a more-energetic place to be.

LinkedIn versus Facebook

I find LinkedIn is used by people in leadership roles in business and those who are actively managing their career since it's a little more discriminating in terms of connections. My LinkedIn connections are people I would happily recommend and refer.

Facebook is far more relaxed and is like a group of eclectic friends with perhaps business or social interests in common. I've found people who are worldwide experts are really happy to connect on Facebook, which is exciting and seems to level the playing field.

Picking the Right Networks for You

Which social network you should join really comes down to the time you have to nurture it and your purpose for joining it. It's like any network, online or offline: If you invest in it you will reap results.

I predict that over the next 12 months more and more people will join social networking communities, and they will become more discriminating about the ones they choose to use.

Just as we choose which professional association or offline networking community we want to join based on perceived value, return on investment (be that time or money), the ability to connect with key influencer's (be they people who can support us in our career or may connect us to potential clients) and where people we like hang out, you can use similar criteria to determine which online network to join.

But remember that the same rule for networking online as offline is critical – it is about giving to the people in your network, adding value and supporting them – that is what will enable you to build lasting relationships and friendships which is the platform for great career and professional success.

Krishna De is an award winning brand engagement strategist, guiding executives in how to leverage social media to create magnetic corporate, employer and personal brands. You can access her articles and podcasts at Biz Growth News or contact her by email at connect@oneoceangroup.com.

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