Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, FriendFeed, and many other social media platforms are all giants in online social networking. But what about Skype? Why do you not see it referred to as often as the others? Or even listed in the same category?
Chris Brogan once said,
“Twitter isn’t amazing. The ability to connect to many voices in a collaborative way is amazing. Facebook isn’t the future. Having mutual social environments that permit deeper understanding of each other’s interests is the future. It’s important that we learn how to talk in terms of benefits and not the features.”
If we look at social media in this way. As a way to connect and share interests across the world, then why does Skype often get left out?
I asked a couple of my Twitter followers if they used Skype in the same way as Twitter and Facebook and here’s what they said:
Another Look At Skype
I’m finding the more people I talk to about Skype vs. Twitter or other social media applications, the more I’m hearing the same answer. It’s more of a personal tool than a networking tool.
That’s like saying a cell phone is only for personal use, and not business or networking use.
In a world where connections are the doors to your destination, any and all ways of communication should be looked at as the keys.
Skype isn’t any different than Twitter or Facebook when you really think of the ultimate goal of social networking. In fact, it’s the same in every way but one. And that one way is what makes Skype an even stronger and more powerful tool than other social media applications.
Social media tools like Twitter and Facebook can be leveraged as methods of building your network. Much like laying the foundation of a house. While Skype can be used as a method of strengthening that network. And when you start opening your mind to the possibilities this can hold, you’ll find that extremely large following you have start to become closer, and stronger.
P.S. If you’re interested in connecting both Skype and Twitter to help build and strengthen your social network, here’s an article that shows you how to post tweets directly from Skype.
Do you use Skype to strengthen the social network that other social media applications has helped to start?
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My name is Steven Sanders and I'm a Professional Blogger, Izea Insider, Web Designer, Social Media Enthusiast, Dad, Husband, and Friend.
Interesting post, Steven. It has my wheels churning. The one main difference, as I see Skype, is its “real” time. Both parties must be there at the same time in order to have a conversation. That can be tricky across time zones. Whereas, with twitter and facebook, it permits asynchronous communication. You communicate when its convenient for you; the others respond when convenient for them.
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Steven,
Definitely interesting article. I have been intrigued by Skype for sometime. Haven’t had a chance to research it much. I am still trying to catch up to the iPhone phenomenon which has yet to reach small town USA here in upstate New York. I guess our Adirondack mountains are more important.
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Also, I think a lot of people prefer twitter and facebook because it’s EASIER and less involved. It’s sad but we’ve gotten on a track where we prefer quick one-liners rather than a real conversation, you know? –Especially when it means it’ll take up more time in our hectic lives…
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I’ll be honest; I don’t use Skype nearly so much as I should. Real-time conversations, I think, always are the best way to strengthen the bonds formed by social media apps.
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I would have to agree with you. From my side of business, I use Skype to Communicate with Sales Reps and Vendors. The use of social media is great, but skype is our tool to connect in regards to orders etc…