I like Alan’s overall point, which is to ask if you know how much time one is spending on these social media, and whether or not that time is well spent.

While I find plenty of value in certain blogs, and some value on Twitter, there’s far too much noise. After all, unless I’m actually picking you up at the airport, your flight being delayed is of zero interest to me (to take just one Facebook example).

My reasons for disagreeing w/the analysis, per se, could likely just be situational — the way I do it may not be as others do.

For instance, I use tweetdeck for both facebook (during the day) and twitter (all). I only tweet things I’ve read that are business newsworthy, so presumably would have read those with or without the twitter influence (voracious news reader). A tweet may take me 60 seconds, two minutes tops, and that’s only to shorten the post.

I generally send tweetdeck tweets to both twitter AND facebook, so killing two birds w/one stone. I do not make facebook-specific posts during the day at all, usually.

I post on my blog twice per week (at least I try to), but spend nowhere near 30 minutes to do so. I have a system for collecting relevant thoughts, and writing those posts takes 5 minutes, ten minutes tops.

I do probably spend 30 minutes per day on linkedin, but that includes networking and answering questions — frequently a source of material for articles and blogs. I outsource the infrastructure stuff (setting up accounts, uploading photos, profiles, etc.).

— BTW, Wes, I’m probably spending 5-7 minutes just answering your question, thanks a lot for that…!

I’d put my weekly total closer to 5 hours, not 13. Is still begs the question, however, is that 5 hours well spent? I’ve been really active on this for about a month; I’ve received one invitation to speak (paid, but not much), and one client discussion still in progress.

I’d say it works as well as any other time investment, if done judiciously and with great personal discipline.

But that’s just me…

KB

D. Kevin Berchelmann