DISQUS

Josh Peters · 1 year ago

I use my social network profiles as a bit of a filter. I get certain types of emails and certain types of communications through various social networks and then I use NutShellMail to aggregate it all and see if there is anything I need to check or respond to. I recently posted up a review of NutShellMail at my blog Shuaism.com if you woudl like to know more about it. Using the social networks to help filter between business and personal and then using NutShellMail to aggregate it all has saved me a ton of time and made it all easier to handle.

Joe Dawson · 1 year ago

I find social networks easier to manage not only because what's on those sites is what I login for but also because emails take longer to action. I also feel it's a more casual form of communication where sending an email feels more formal and personal. I speak to my friends on social networks actively but rarely would I send an email to check in. Mainly just an FYI or for something more in depth!

Justin Korn · 1 year ago

I think you are on to something with your second point. I am definitely seeing this shift. I'm seeing more and more friends try to communicate with me via Facebook then email (even if it's through Facebook mail). Since they have access to all of my activity rather then just my email notes I send to them (if I decide to), they feel more connected.

On the other hand, I disagree with your first point, but that is a matter of personal opinion. I think people are looking more and more for centralization of activities. I believe this why social networks like FriendFeed are thriving and why Facebook changed their front end to further resemble FriendFeed.

In any case, interesting observations and great write up Corvida!

Lynne d Johnson · 1 year ago

I've been thinking about this for a while. Even posed a question about it on Twitter a while back. It was what method of contact do you prefer -- email, text message, DM on twitter, or facebook message? I got a lot of people still using email, but for me, Twitter and Facebook just make more sense. Email is like a dreg, there's so much junk in there it's hard to find the jewels, unless you've set up a significant amount of filtering. The social networks enable you to deal with quick, on the go messages, People are less likely to send you a diatribe on Facebook and they definitely can't as a DM.

I found both of your reasons working in my life lately. I ignore email for days, but find using Twitter the best and easiest, and then Facebook is more like email, but not so much. If that makes sense.

Ari Herzog · 1 year ago

A different perspective to consider is not to view social networks as an email alternative but as a blog alternative. I have many friends who are "busy" and "don't have time" to view my or other people's blogs, and the concept of RSS or emailed newsletter is foreign to them. But because they use Facebook, and FB offers a "Blog Network" application, I recently created a blog outpost there and already seeing some word of mouth.

Adam Turetzky · 1 year ago

Isn't that graphic you're using the copyrighted logo of the SpamSieve application???

<http://c-command.com/spamsieve/>

Louis Gray · 1 year ago

turkchgo, good catch. Back in 2006, I made a number of icons for the blog that were snaps of desktop applications. I have replaced the SpamSieve image with one I purchased from Dreamstime.com, which you should check out.

Anthony Farrior · 1 year ago

Great post Corvida! Guess this explains why Wayne insisted I find another way to communicate with him about business. Traditionally we thought Social Communication was for informal messages, while anything regarding business goes to our in box. Times are changing and clearly anyone looking to succeed in this space has to change also...

CraigK · 1 year ago

I don't think I use them more for personal emails. I like having all my emails in my inbox giving me a way to have everything in one place. The more spread out, the more likely I will forget them and less likely to check on a daily basis. I agree with Ari that it can be used more as a filter, or even thought of as a less personal email. The same way as email or txt message is less formal than a call. Social media messages are a step below yet still acceptable.

Craig
www.budgetpulse.com