Once upon a time, people kept in touch with each other in some very old school ways. Some people called each other on landlines. Or, they might have written letters to one another – on paper, and sent through the mail with a postage stamp! Other times, they even – gasp – dropped by the homes of friends or family to say hello.
Today, we call each other on cell phones, maybe even smartphones. We might even use Skype. We still write to each other, but it’s via email, text, or chat. We still do visit each other’s homes, but the definition of a home seems to have some variety. I would say that we now have what could be described as an “online” home.
By this, I mean this is the place where we seem to entertain others, host them, and simply keep in touch. This is the portal by which we get touch with other and communicate, while expressing ourselves uniquely. I suspect that we each have our favorite or favorites.
Here are a few that come to mind:
- Your Blog. Many of us have been blogging for years, while others have just started out. For the former, a blog can end up being your primary place for communication with others. Perhaps not individual 1:1 communication, but more like communicating to a large group of people in detail. Really, a lot of people share all kinds of life updates on their blogs, even personal finance blogs. It seems as though a blog is almost like one’s own creation, and becomes your pride and joy so to speak
- Facebook. Okay, this is probably the most popular home base for people online. You can follow what people are doing, and give quick status updates. You can add pictures, “like” different business and causes, and really add your own personality to your page. Basically, you can tell the world what you’re all about, and what you’ve been doing all day.
- Twitter. So you’re limited to 140 characters, which forces brevity. However, it’s a great way to send quick updates out to groups of people you know, as well as send private messages. Not to mention sharing links to interesting articles, as well as sharing pictures.
- Linkedin. Now, I don’t see this as a personal online home, but more of a professional address. That being said, there are some people that share all kinds of things via linkedin, and are quite active in groups. For people whose lives revolve around their career to a high degree, this might be their big way to communicate with others. These people probably try to use Linkedin for career growth.
- Pinterest. An online pin board, Pinterest has grown explosively – particularly with female users. While actual conversation opportunities seem limited here, there are people out there that are entirely OBSESSED with Pinterest. What they do on Pinterest is a true reflection of their personality and moods, and is there for the world to see and accept.
Of course, usage of these five does not have to be mutually exclusive. For example, a blog can also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Pinterest. I’d venture that most PF blogs have some presence on Twitter, many are on Facebook, some are on Pinterest, and very few are on Linkedin (though the owner will likely be on there as an individual). There are different reasons for using each, and they can all play a different role in your personal life. As a blogger, they can each help your cause in different ways.
Readers, which of these would you consider your online home - your primary communication method? Which would be next? Are you on all 5, or just a few?
For me, that would be email. That is where all of my freelance business communication is done.
Most of my posts on Facebook aren’t that much longer than what I could do on Twitter. It’s my main form of communication with my father-in-law, one of my friends, and my favorite cousin. But even still, I rarely say anything more than 2-3 sentences.
Third would be blog. I rate it so low simply because I don’t actually know any of those people that comment, so it seems less real to me.
Most of my communication, however, happens offline. Phone calls and text messages with friends and family.
Edward – this makes sense. For me, it’s probably down to phone and text as key communication methods, online or otherwise. Online, I see a lot of people who seemingly make FB or Twitter their online “homes”.
I am on the first three but my blog and Twitter aren’t really read by family and friends. They follow general updates on FB although I much prefer one to one email, and am the same in real life, I’d rather talk deeply to one person or a small group than attend a big gathering.
Pauline – I can relate to the talking to one person deeply vs a big gathering. What’s funny about blogging is that we’re broadcasting to everyone. Interesting how this is different that the comfort zone many folks have.
Only Facebook and email for me, plus blogs of course.
I do have a twitter account (somewhere) and a linkedin profile.
The other timewaster is reading the news! BBC, Guardian, HuffPostUK and Reuters are on my phone. That’s enough!
John – as I think about it, I could have included email. Probably should have. That’s a big one for me too.
Facebook is the only online place I really interact with people I know in real life. I actually spend more time on twitter and blogs interacting with people I’ve never met
1st Million – that just might be the case with many bloggers
I attended FinCon 2 years ago, so I suppose I can say that I’ve met some people on blogs and twitter…but with more and more new PF blogs out there, it really means the vast majority I’ve never met.
[...] @ Digital Personal Finance writes What is Your Online Home? – Time is money, as the saying goes. Along those lines, where are you investing our time [...]