Lately, several people have asked me if they need to be on Facebook, LinkedIn, or both. Certainly each provides the opportunity to build an on-brand, online identity, as well as the ability to connect with others. Yet, for me, there is another important difference: the more personal level of shared experience on Facebook.
I’m on LinkedIn and nearly everyone in my business network is there too – and so are members of their networks. In fact, with yet a third level of relationships, I’m currently connected to 1.9 million “trusted professionals” – who I don’t know! Of course, the real magic of LinkedIn is that if I discover I need to know one of these folks, there is someone I do know, among my first-degree contacts, who can help me connect.
While LinkedIn is a great tool for sharing business information and connections, Facebook is a site where business people can connect to friends and share life experiences that support a richer sense of community. Since opening my account in January, I’ve enjoyed getting friends’ updates, seeing their photos, learning about things they like, and getting news of their online activities. I also appreciate the level of informality and immediacy on Facebook where I can simply “poke” someone if I want to say “Hi.”
So, should you be on LinkedIn, Facebook, or both? Personally, I think if enriching your relationships online is important to you, then the answer is both.
Cross-posted at Threshold Consulting Blog
I launched this Blog with one objective - to provide unique insights and practical advice for using the power of personal branding to achieve your goals. It’s dedicated to those who want to be wildly successful by maximizing what makes them unique, relevant and compelling. 
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