I hope to speak to you again soon.

Social media makes the world feel like a smaller place because it removes the geographic and linguistic barriers that can limit our real-life “social networking” circles to people who live and work near us, and who can communicate with us in our native language.

However, social media can still retain a “digital distance” with our technology (computers, mobile devices, and even telephones) separating us in ways that an in person conversation does not.

I am very grateful to the tremendous number of new professional (and a few new personal) contacts that social media has added to my life in such a short time.

Connecting with and “collecting” contacts via social media channels is easy. The challenge is moving beyond a simple connection to a true meaningful engagement.

Although selfish “what’s in it for me” people certainly exist, the true barrier (as you pointed out) to “meaningful” social networking is time – an always scarce resource with our incredibly busy professional and personal lives.

I applaud your productive use of your downtime, especially by picking up the phone (or the Skype headset) to actually speak with people – and also share many of these conversations via your excellent podcast series.

However, I also believe in the tremendous potential of the non-speaking aspects of social media.

With downtime ever dwindling and social tools rapidly evolving, more and more of us will be “meaningfully” networking without using the sound of our voice.

Best Regards,

Jim

I very much agree with your point about social networking allowing you to meet people you would never have had the chance to meet. I’ve met some interesting, brilliant, and fun people through Twitter, LinkedIn, and my blog. Like you, I work from home and appreciate these relationships even more. I always look forward to the chance to meet them in person – fortunately I’ve met many.

I agree the value behind social networking is the relationship. Hope to meet you one day too!

Terri

Here’s to picking up the phone today when we otherwise would have sent an e-mail or IM or tweet! And no Facebook updates while on a Valentine’s date this weekend, guys!