When Google unveiled its new platform, Google+, many were quick to point out the reasons why it’s the “next big thing” in social networking. Over the past week, millions of people anxiously awaited invitations to try the new network and all its features. But, not me. Instead, I’m (sort of) longing for the simple days of dial-up Internet and bare-bones AOL.

While I’m often accused of being “stuck in the 90s” regarding my music and movie choices, it’s not a fondness for the bygone era of chat rooms and online zines that fuels my hesitation to join Google+ – it’s that I’m suffering from social media overload. I realize that a fully connected world has several benefits, but I struggle to see the advantages of managing another social network for several reasons:

Facebook does it all. Anytime a new social media platform enters the scene, I picture Mark Zuckerberg sitting at his computer, singing “Anything You Can Do” from Annie Get Your Gun while he plots his next move. Sure enough, when Google+ launched with video conferencing, Zuckerberg announced Facebook will feature Skype video chat. From geotags to status updates to professional information, Facebook has a knack for incorporating other platforms’ functionalities into its 750 million-strong user community. And – as I asked in December – why bother trying to manage several different accounts when you can get everything you need in one place?

Learning a new platform is daunting. Although I’ve logged onto Google+ a couple of times, I quickly retreated after feeling overwhelmed by trying to figure out an entirely new platform. Facebook has evolved over time and we’ve had an opportunity to grow along with it, slowly learning different features and functionalities. And other social media networks – such as Twitter and Foursquare – focus on very specific, streamlined applications that make them fairly easy to navigate. Google+ has a lot to offer, but trying to figure out a new network loaded with bells and whistles takes a lot of time and effort.

Growing a new network is a lot of work. As a Facebook user since early 2005, I have spent several years building my network on the site. I’ve managed to rekindle friendships I thought were long-lost and use the site as my primary means through which to store pictures. True, I’ve recently started to “trim the fat” a bit – removing friends who are merely acquaintances, hiding news feed updates from overzealous posters and tweaking my privacy settings – but I still don’t want to create an entirely new profile and friends list.

Maybe I’m missing the boat and not giving Google+ a fair shot. What do you think? Is Google+ worth a second look or am I right in thinking that the social media world has become way too overwhelming?

The rivalry between Twitter and Facebook lives on through the latest finding that indicates Facebook has a better return on the highly coveted marketing dollar. Mashable recently published an article that touts the fact that an individual Facebook “like” drove more ticket sales than an individual tweet by the same company.

According to the organization’s analysis: “An average tweet about an event drove 80 cents in ticket sales during the past six months, whereas an average Facebook ‘like’ drove $1.34.” This difference is significant and may have implications for marketers across the board. The profitability was determined by Eventbrite, an event registration company.

At best, social media is supposed to be engaging – a two-way conversation. Both Facebook and Twitter provide an outlet for conversation. And when used correctly, both can be effective.

Personally, I tend to place more value on a “like,” because it goes beyond information and adds a little personality. “Liking” a Facebook status, post or picture leaves a mark of preference, agreement or humor without having to say – or type – anything.

Which do you do more often – “like” or retweet? As a consumer, is one more valuable to you than the other?

Please leave your comment below and feel free to “like” or retweet this post.

According to the New York Times, Myspace is getting a much-needed makeover.

In a very smart move, Myspace will no longer try to compete with Facebook but instead will aim to complement the social media giant. The revamped website will focus on music and entertainment for ages 18-34 – another clever tactic, considering that Facebook’s quickest growing demographic is users 35 years and older. Myspace will also incorporate badges, similar to those Foursquare offers.

As part of the website’s new focus, the homepage will feature a live stream (think Twitter) of television-, music- and movie-related comments. This, coupled with virtual badges, sounds a lot like Miso, a website that is relatively unknown when compared to Myspace.

But, Myspace – and Miso, for that matter – are definitely on to something. If you’ve been on Twitter during the primetime television line up, you’ve seen your feed light up with comments and trending topics.

Are you willing to give Myspace a second chance?

In mid-August, Facebook launched Places, a geo-tagging application that allows users to share their exact locations with friends. In the past two months, I’ve noticed a handful of my friends using the feature to “check in” at local restaurants and stores; however, I didn’t realize the application’s potential value until a Betsey Johnson retailer launched a promotion in late September.

Location-based specials aren’t a new concept. In fact, the summer of social media saw Foursquare promotions from a variety of well-known retailers, including Starbucks. This led me to wonder: Why did Betsey Johnson, Inc. choose Facebook Places over Foursquare?

Judging by the numbers, it makes good business sense for a company to choose Facebook Places rather than Foursquare. After all, Facebook recently reported 500 million active users, whereas Foursquare just surpassed three million. Plus, Facebook reaches a wide demographic, whereas Foursquare tends to be used almost exclusively by the tech-savvy. Now that Facebook offers a feature similar to Foursquare, users may be more inclined to use their service, which is familiar and requires no additional registration.

What does Facebook Places mean for Foursquare’s future? Will other businesses join Betsey Johnson and make Places their location-based application of choice?

… For some, that is the question. When it comes to social media for your business, Shawn Vincent hit the nail on the head with this tweet:

Chances are your brand (or industry) is being talked about online. Whether it’s a compliment or complaint, it’s an opportunity to thank a loyal advocate or address a concern. To equate this to the pre-Twitter, Facebook and blogging days, think of these comments as if they were a phone call to your headquarters. But, with social media, that “call” is potentially being heard by millions of users.

Opportunity is calling. Are you picking up?

Foursquare recently launched “Foursquare for Universities,” a section of their website dedicated to connecting students, staff and alumni with their respective school. The best part about the program is that it fits naturally into what universities are already doing.

You can use Foursquare to enhance campus events. For example:

• Fall orientation? Help students get acquainted with their school by hosting a campus-wide scavenger hunt.

• First football game of the season? Offer a free university t-shirt to students who “check in.”

• Daily deals at an on-campus restaurant? Promote specials and ask for students’ feedback via Foursquare tips.

For case studies of universities getting an “A+” in Foursquare 101, check out Harvard, Stanford and Syracuse.

Foursquare, the location-based social media platform taking the Internet by storm, is averaging 10+ check-ins per second. Co-founder Dennis Crowley expects the website to hit 1 million check-ins daily by mid-June.

Brands that use the network to their advantage stand to gain increased exposure and consumer loyalty. In addition to collecting badges and “mayor” titles at locations around town, users are also encouraged to share tips and recommendations with others. Insider advice like “try the passion fruit juice” and “50 cent oysters during happy hour” equate to free advertising for companies.

Take a cue from Starbucks and reward these brand ambassadors with incentives. Since the debut of their nationwide mayor promotion ($1 off Frappuccinos), the coffee house has experienced a 40 percent increase of check-ins week-to-week. The following are a few examples of best practices:

• Golden Corral – Mayors eat free once a day, and in some cases, are entered in a contest to win a free iPad.
• UNC Charlotte – The first university to host a Foursquare promotion on campus, students receive free t-shirts for checking in at basketball games and other school events.
• Miss Shirley’s Café – At this busy Baltimore restaurant, mayors never wait in line.

If you are interested in integrating Foursquare into your business, do it in a way that reflects your company’s personality – and be sure your customers know. Whether it’s coupons, freebies or a pass to jump the line, your generosity just might earn you a shout-out on Twitter.

Photo source: @maxwellzorick