Oh Blogging!

Oh I haven't been blogging much lately! Why? Hmmmmm Just busy I guess. Well, that is true, but it certainly isn't the only reason, because that sure isn't anything new. Hmmmm I think the core of it is that I've been spending much of my online time on Facebook.

Being always interested in how these online things work, particularly for business, I just tend to become a bit obsessed until I come to some kind of understanding about it all. I don't try to do that, it just happens. Also honestly it can be a little tricky juggling all those balls in the air - Facebook, website, etsy, blog, MySpace, and Twitter (haven't really started with that yet - but I will!).

Anyway I've decided Facebook is certainly excellent for networking, and networking is central to business success. Since one of my favourite things is meeting new people I find this aspect enjoyable. Also it has helped me get over my shyness. Maybe I don't appear shy but it really wasn't that long ago that I wouldn't have my photograph taken, less alone put one online for all the world to see! Being shy certainly isn't good for business. You have to put yourself out there, again and again! You just do.

Now that I've come to some understanding about the Facebook thing I think I'll move on to something else. I haven't really worked out how to make MySpace work fully for me and that Twitter thing? Or maybe I'll just get into blogging again more regularly. Sometimes I want to go on a bit, and let's face it, Facebook just isn't the place for that!

Facebook Business Page v's Group Page

A sudden rush of enthusiasm led me to set up a Facebook business Page last night. Well actually firstly I set up a group, invited 200 people to join, and then promptly decided a page would be far better - DOH!. The thing is I guess I just didn't really understand the difference between the two, and it was only through setting up the group that I quickly worked it out.

On retrospect of course it would have been better if I had set up the perfect page that I was perfectly happy with first, and then invited people to join! But I guess I do tend to operate in this way. I try things, I change things, I make mistakes, and I don't mind admitting it when I do. I'm always willing to learn a better way and try something else. Not perfect, but not too bad too! Anyway, It has got me this far.

p.s I've added a fan folder, so if you have any pics of you wearing my jewellery you are most welcome to add them. In fact, I'd love you to!

To Facebook Or Not To Facebook

Maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy but up until now I really haven't got onboard with the whole Facebook/My Space/Social Networking phenomenon. I do have a Facebook account but I really only signed up due to a bit (lot) of pressure, and overwhelming enthusiasm from some friends. Up until now I haven't really got the point of it. Do I really have time to throw a sheep at you? Or do I even want to? It seemed to me to be something that people who had jobs signed up for. Something that provided some much-needed distraction until the clock hit 5. Now I'm thinking maybe there is more to it than that.

Last night my studio pal Mark signed up for his Facebook account. He added me as a friend, as you do, and it came just at a time when I really welcomed a distraction. I was writing (trying to) a boring grant application (not sure why I put myself through these things - I don't know about you but working out budgets is just not my idea of fun!). Anyway, I took the opportunity to leave that for a while and look at my Facebook account and it suddenly dawned on me that there were people I would like to keep in contact with, and that this was perhaps a good way of doing just that. Maybe it wasn't all about filling in time.

I can be a bit haphazard when it comes to the whole email/phone calls/ keeping in touch thing. So maybe sending a couple of people a cupcake, or whatever, every now and again, says 'hey I'm thinking of you', and is a whole lot better than no contact at all! I had a great time In Adelaide recently, for example, and would like to keep in contact with many of the people I met and caught up with. Perhaps this is the way to do just that.

Anyway, what do you think? Any opinions on this topic? Is it a waste of time or not? I'm not 100% convinced of its worth but I think I'll give it a bit of a go, for a while anyway.