In the real world, the personal benefits of being close with someone increase almost linearly; that is, there are still increasing returns (happiness, stability, family etc) to a relationship even after a year, or two, or five. But in social media networks, the benefits of being close with a connection tend to display decreasing returns after the initial connection. Most of the value we receive from social network connections are from very basic, loose connections, not close, deep ones.
It takes a lot to develop a serious relationship, and in the real world it’s worth it, but in the social media and networking world it’s actually better to sleep around. After the initial introduction and connection, the amount of time you would have to spend to really get to know that one person would be better allocated to initial introductions and connections with ten new people.
The benefits of your professional network come from the number and type of people you know, not how well you know people. Professionals usually get referrals, leads, jobs, and clients from weak connections, or even second ring connections. A social media network of 1,000 “one-night stands” will offer more potential to your career than a network of 10 “serious relationships”. It’s just the nature of professional connections.
Now, of course, it’s never good to be considered a whore, sexually or socially. But it is important to realize that spreading your social seed will bear more fruit than sticking with a few important partners. So, go ahead; sleep around your social networks, just always remember be safe.
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What do you think? Honestly, I’d like to know. :)
