Today’s post was inspired by a comment on my last post from Belinda of The Halfway Point.
She writes:
“On accessibility in general, I’d be interested to read about how we achieve a balance between having a presence online vs. in person and the danger in focusing too much on one more than the other, or not thinking one or the other is important enough to cultivate.”
How do we achieve balance between our online and offline lives?
Since you’re reading this blog, we can probably agree that having an online presence (for yourself and for your business) is important. But we can probably also agree that being a Twitter addict isn’t the best way to go either.
So where’s the dividing line?
In all honesty, I don’t think there is one. At least, not in the traditional sense. I don’t think there’s a hard-and-fast threshold telling us how much is too much online or offline.
Not that these dividing lines haven’t been proposed. I’m sure you’ve heard things like:
- If you spend more than X hours a day on Facebook, you’ve gone too far.
- If you spend more time online than offline, you’re missing out on life.
- Your advertising budget is better spent on social media than TV. Or vice versa.
- You ought to spend at least X% of your time on your blog/Twitter/Facebook/whatever.
I don’t buy into these rules; they sound authoritative, and they are easy to act on, but I find them far too rigid for something so dynamic.
The Guiding Principle of Using Social Media
Instead of rigid dividing lines, I prefer to look for core guiding principles that I can apply on a case-by-case basis.
I believe that the purpose of any communication tool or technology, including social media, is to bring us as close as possible to a personal, offline, face-to-face conversation, while filling in the gaps created by time and distance.
In other words, everything I do to enhance my presence online is done with the goal of taking individual relationships as close to offline and in-person as possible.
That’s my guiding principle of social media. I try to always ask myself:
- How does what I’m doing move me towards a deeper, more personal relationship with the person (or people) on the other end of the conversation?
- Am I passing up any opportunities to create better relationships with anyone?
- Am I keeping myself open to relationship-building activities?
In Action …
And the great thing is, as I continue to apply this guiding principle to my online activities, a healthy online/offline balance – tailored to my goals – emerges naturally.
Instead of spending all my time building thousands of superficial connections, I treat these connections as a sort of recruitment pool. I stay on the lookout for engagement opportunities (and try to create them as well). As soon as an opportunity arises, I commit myself to pursuing the relationship as far as it can go.
Ideally, I’d like to get to a point where we can feel comfortable meeting in person offline, because that’s still the strongest way to connect with someone. If a face-to-face isn’t possible due to time or distance constraints, I aim for a Skype/phone call basis instead.
All this takes time and patience ensures that I never lose sight of strong, personal, offline connections in the midst of the social media chaos.
Your Turn
Does that make sense? Have I answered the question – or am I totally off the mark?? What have I left out that you can add to the discussion? Share your thoughts below!
By the way – I’ve got an important announcement coming up in a few days, so please stay tuned!
10 Comments on “Balancing Online and Offline”
says:
Jeffrey, many thanks for this thoughtful and balanced response. We all want to connect. This post is an excellent reminder that facebook, twitter etc. are simply tools to enhance our relationships. I completely agree that meeting in person is still the strongest way to connect which is why I so appreciate the questions you raise in your guiding principles.
As a customer, I often want to yank my business from companies that only have an online presence. While I'm not looking for companies to have an actual store, I've noticed that more and more are no longer listing phone numbers. I think they're missing the point.
says:
I agree, Belinda. I think the hype of social media is partially to blame. There's so much stuff out there exhorting us to get online, get on Twitter, get on Facebook that we start believing that being on social networks is an end in itself.
The social web is just a tool. And despite all the technology we have, the important truths about human relationships haven't changed, I think.
says:
Having a balance is great but not always the best options. By being balance may be most stable/ less stress situation however, will you have an edge just by being balanced? That would just bring up a whole thing in how efficient are you with your work but I think you've hit all the points. But you could always lose your balance…..
SEO for LESS
says:
I think this is a wonderful piece! Thank you for your thoughts!
says:
I really like your perspective. The idea that online social media is primarily a tool for enhancing offline experiences is quite charming.
says:
I guess balance is a point of are you able to benefit in both areas, or are you throwing something completely off. Your approach to social media definitely explains how you are so good at making people feel welcome in a forum. I think you got some balance in here.
says:
Jeffrey, This post makes good sense. I think that people sometimes get addicted to novel activities, but when the novelty wears off, they reach a balance.
And you really got my attention about your important announcement. I can hardly wait!
says:
Thanks Jeffrey for an insight into your social media thinking.
Personally I love meeting people offline and I see the online world as just a way of connecting with people in the first place. So I try to meet face to face wherever possible, and at the same time spend around an hour a day on buidling up my profile in the world of social media.
Each person has to find their own happy blend between the two.
says:
The idea of balance is crucial for me :-) so this post made total sense to me. I have been thinking about the same topic recently. I think that online communication is something we should use to complement our offline communication. I do not think there is a way to have 1000 or even 100 friends in real world, but this is definitely achievable online. I am not sure that I would like to meet every single follower or “friend” in person but I would be glad to talk to quite a few of them.
The perfect online/offline balance is when you live offline but use online communication to make your life as easy and as full as possible. This is my opinion on this point.
says:
Hi Jeff, you are right on the money. But the question remains, at what point of time, do you know you are just spinning the wheels online, instead of making new connections and deepening relationships? For me, the days I sit in front of the computer without any concrete goals are the days I slip up (find out 5 hours later that I have been browsing around aimlessly :-( …). So goal setting is a big help, I find, to keep me focused.
Also, you are right. Its when I feel comfortable enough to meet in person or talk, that I would say the relationship is deep enough to build on…
So till the next time I meet you online :-).
Ciao,
Krishna