Nuvota

I have to disagree with you not fully but about the part why individuals should be Online using social media. Since the first time I went Online about 10 years ago and began to explore this new media Internet I googled myself every 6-12 months just to see my traces I left over the net. Shure I won´t see everything mainly because most of the stuff I post is in closed communities like e.g. message boards. The (public) things you can find out about me by googleing my name don ´t even have enough content to fill the first search page with matching search entrys. And now here is my Argument: The things google will show you are ... Facebook (which I deleted over a Month ago because I was forced to have a account), LinkedIn and a comment I left in the blog of my boss. So if I´m going to get more social Online my conclusion is that It will get worse. And as I know from a social media site from Germany I used a lot, if you are going to participate you can (not will) get a lot of trouble if you are inexperienced or trust people to much which are just "social media friends". I do know this is the problem of the person using social media but think about the mass of people who just don ´t care about there data privacy or thinks like "who can read the stuff I post?". And especially if it comes to the point where you are starting to search and manage your Profiles and Stuff people post about I think ... common shut down the PC and go outside meet the People who are really your friends. Use the time for better or important things. Social media is a nice "feature" of the web2.0 but don´t get to obsessed private.

Your point about companies getting active in the social media world on the other hand is splendid. It´s a big opportunity for every company - small or big - to get max. consumer satisfaction and a good image.

Last thing I should add, I´m from Germany and yes I do know we see things different then in the USA if it comes to using social media. Hope my english is good enough so you do understand what I´m pointing at ;)

Thanks for your insightful comment!
I am looking at it more from the perspective of what other people are posting about you online. So let's take the example of a picture on Facebook. A friend uploads an unflattering picture of you and some friends. Now you might not have a Facebook account, but many people still tend to add the name of the person in the picture. Hence if you are not on Facebook, you might never know that this picture of you is out there. That's the reason why I think everyone should at least have an account and check from time to time what's happening that they can react to such situation (e.g. contact friend and ask to take pic down etc.).
And by the way your English is perfect! I am actually German myself :0)

With the way social media is revolutionizing the way we communicate, you absolutely want to have a presence online. I agree, everyone should be participating on social networks and becoming a part of the conversation. You need to show you care for others in order for them to care about you and that's how you build trust with people. Ultimately, we are in a world where not being online is a big mistake. There's many opportunities online and using these tools that are free can help get you exposure for jobs or building your own brand. As Gary Vaynerchuk says, resumes will become obsolete because all people need to do is google your name!

"Resumes will become obsolete, because all people need to do is google your name!" - I had not heard this one before. That is a very good point!

It's unwise not to be monitoring what is being said about you on-line. People who may have been mentioned in a newspaper or magazine article will end up on the Internet somewhere. If you are not there to be sure of the accuracy of the article or how it affects your business, something totally adverse to your company brand can grow and smolter without your knowing it until it has grown into a situation that is hurting you in the eyes of potential customers. Yes, social media and the Internet are here to stay. Get started protecting yourself now, and projecting the image you want customers to see.

I couldn't have said it better Terri!