The Last Thing I Need Right Now Is Another Social Network ...

I can’t even keep up with the ones that I already have! What we really need is more applications that talk to our existing established platforms thereby making them more valuable and easier to use! While you are at it, please do what you can to make them talk to each other where that would be appropriate!

The fact is, there are more social networks out there, and this list seems to grow every day, then there are rocks to throw at them. By that same token, the social network graveyard is littered with failed attempts and the graveyard owners are considering the purchase of additional turf. Some of these fringe platforms are actually quite nice but, if my customers are not there, why should I be? Google+ is the possible exception to this rule. I like the product and think that it is superior in many ways to Facebook in particular but, people who are active on Facebook are not moving to Google+ and, for that matter, Google had at least two previous failed attempts with Buzz and Wave.

A few days ago, Facebook came out with their IPO. I don’t think that it is going anywhere anytime soon. This stock offering comes shortly after they spent $1 Billion for Instagram. A billion bucks for something that snaps and shares pictures!!!?? Lord, why not me?

Instagram got it right. Instead of building a competitive network, they have a nice standalone site and then they rode along on the back of on an established platform until struck pay dirt in the acquisition. Pinterest is doing exactly the same thing by connecting to Facebook. Tweetdeck got snapped up by Twitter and Rapportive and ConnectedHQ were gobbled up by LinkedIn. Hootsuite and Sprout Social manage our existing networks. Branchout turns Facebook into a Linkedin-like application. Take a look at Buffer! This simple application that offers a delayed send bookmarklet for link sharing has managed to integrate itself into damn near everything and has done so in what I would think is record time. Awesome!

If you are on this site, you are probably aware that I am a Solution Partner for Nimble Social CRM. Nimble is doing a fantastic job at integrating and leveraging your social networks. They are, hopefully, very close to releasing their API which will allow third-party platforms to integrate with our product. I can’t wait! Every week it seems that I see platforms that would enhance Nimble’s capabilities very nicely. However, I am done with standalone applications. If your application does not integrate with one of my existing products, and as much as I would love to have it, I can’t and I won’t be able to use it. Life is to short to become a slave to open tabs and duplicate entries.

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Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services

Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!