Social media for the people by the people

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One of my favorite aspects of social media is its approachability. The majority of the platforms are free and Web-based, and with a little instruction, they become easy to use. The more people I meet and talk about social media with, the less I’m able to guess who has already integrated social media into his/her life – my best friend makes fun of my Twittering, yet a 60-year-old friend of my father’s has taught me a few things about Facebook’s capabilities.

It’s this “by the people, for the people” spirit that has got me hooked, and also makes me want to look out for my Tweeples’ best interests. I recently heard about an in-person networking event for people who connected online. (I recommend these beneficial events as a way to extend your online networks.) What made me pause about this particular gathering was the fact that the organizers were charging attendees.

 It’s important to look at different online opportunities and evaluate them based on what they offer:

•    Who has been invited?
•    How many people are planning on attending?
•    Is there going to be programming offered?
•    Are there additional enticements (free drinks, etc.)?

I’m a fan of the informal, spur-of-the-moment meet-ups and the more organized Tweet-ups. I think this is what social networking is all about: finding like-minded people online and furthering your interactions by meeting off-line.

Like paying for anything, it’s important to remember “caveat emptor” and to discover what benefits will come with your payment (time, money or both) to attend social networking events. As social media continues to become more mainstream, it’s important to hold true to its foundational tenant: to provide networking and idea sharing forums within everyone’s reach.