Wow, finding the date you originally joined Facebook is not an easy task.

While updating my online resume, to spotlight my history in social media, networking and marketing, I thought it would be interesting to pinpoint the actual date I signed up for Facebook.

I do remember joining Facebook during my earliest b5media days. Since that was the case, I thought perhaps the Facebook friendships I have with the earliest members of b5media might be a good place to start.

When you click on a Facebook friends profile – at the far right, just above the images of friends you both have in common, there is a link “See Friendship” – if you click that link, you will open a page that has all the interaction between you and that friend along with the month and year your friendship on Facebook was formed.

This is why I think Facebook needs Tom!

I do know I was a member of Facebook for several weeks before I actually jumped in and began utilizing it’s features – so with all that information, I checked a few profiles and wha-la – I am now in the ballpark of when I actually joined Facebook.

Hereafter, my Facebook anniversary will be recognized in April 2007 along with my Twitter birthday of April 4, 2007.

Once I had that information, I became curious of just how soon after Facebook opened up to the public I’d actually joined.

Facebook actually opened up to anyone over the age of 13 with a valid email address in September 2006. So I guess I can call myself a Facebook veteran.

What about you? Do you know your actual “social age” as it pertains to the top social networks of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn?

By the way – Finding the date you joined Twitter is so much easier – simply visit When Did You Join Twitter, enter your username and in seconds you’ll have your Twitter birthday!

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My Comment Commitment: If you leave an approved comment on any of my posts, I will visit your blog and “share it” in some way whether on StumbleUpon, Twitter or Facebook depending on if I can find a nice fit.

One of my favorite ‘morning coffee reads’  Kristi at Kikolani ( @kikolani ) has shared reasons she decided to turn off Twitterfeed. According to her post, she had been sharing new posts from her favorite blogs, not just her own. Brave woman, nice idea.

Maybe it’s because I have OCD, or maybe it’s just being a slight type-A personality in general, but I don’t think automation is something I would or could ever do. I actually had Twitterfeed set up to automatically feed my own posts and realized quickly, not every post I create if of value to my Twitter followers and removed the feeds.

There have been times I find a great Tweeter, read through their log and decide to follow them. A bit later I receive an automated DM from them their account and find myself disappointed.

Disappointed because automated DM’s are RUDE! Period!

Rude because the Tweeter has so little value for my time and my account that they would send me the equivalent of a junk message that I end up having to delete from my email and my Twitter account.

Rude because it’s a cookie cutter response that rarely offers value to me – unless of course they provide a link to something they’d like to share – then it becomes RUDE because it’s nothing more than a self promotion tactic. I don’t check the link and I do unfollow the Tweeter. I just wish they’d be considerate enough to put a notation in their profile that would let potential followers know they do use automated messages to save me the trouble of even following to begin with.

As for my Twitter strategy, I don’t really have a strategy outside of the fact that I do pop over on Twitter

• when I have time to actually participate and engage
• when I can offer something of value

Sharing something of real value or interest usually happens when I read through my subscriptions in Google Reader. If a post offers an option to share on Twitter or Facebook – I am more than happy to click and share. That’s why I encourage anyone using WordPress to install the Really simple Facebook/Twitter share buttons. Facebook Like and Twitter Share buttons are loaded by default. Other buttons, including Digg, LinkedIn, Google Buzz, Stumbleupon, Hyves, Email, Reddit (and the deprecated Facebook Share button), can be added through the Settings->Really simple share menu.

You will be given the option to display those buttons at the top or bottom of your posts. Very easy, non-intrusive and provides a healthy alternative to your community building.

What are your thoughts on automation when it comes to social media?

My Comment Commitment: If you leave a comment on any of my posts, I will visit your blog and “share it” in some way whether on StumbleUpon, Twitter or Facebook depending on if I can find a nice fit. This is my way of saying thank you!

P.S. Follow me on Twitter – I will follow back (at least until I get an automated DM from you) *wink*

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My Comment Commitment: If you leave an approved comment on any of my posts, I will visit your blog and “share it” in some way whether on StumbleUpon, Twitter or Facebook depending on if I can find a nice fit.

IMshopping is a human-powered shopping search site and Twitter shopping service designed to help consumers find niche products around the web. Human guides respond to product questions and provide recommendations for users that might best suits their needs. The entire system reminds me a lot of ChaCha.

Twitter users can ask questions by messaging @imshopping. The shopping guides will then offer detailed responses within minutes. Shoppers can use these responses to make purchases or as a means of fact gathering prior to making a decision.

Shoppers who ask questions on IMShopping’s site can search a database for product questions that have been already answered, or present their own questions. Recommendations are delivered to the shopper and also archived anonymously for review by future shoppers. All public questions and responses are searchable via Twitter and can be viewed by following @imshopping.

The guide will give you an answer of where to find your desired item and also provide you with links to sites where the item may be purchased. You have the ability to rate the response you received from the guide, the guides are paid based on the quality and detail of their responses.

You can sign up, provide responses and earn $1 or $2 for providing quality answers. Payments are paid via Paypal. Accounts must reach a minimum of $40 to receive your payment.

You certainly won’t get rich or won’t be able to count on IMShopping to replace your day job, but I’m thinking if you play your cards right, answer questions wisely, you can extend your earning potential nicely through a little creative affiliate marketing.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

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My Comment Commitment: If you leave an approved comment on any of my posts, I will visit your blog and “share it” in some way whether on StumbleUpon, Twitter or Facebook depending on if I can find a nice fit.