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Social Networking

If you’re like me, you’re getting dozens of new “friend” requests on Facebook every day.

At first, I quickly friended every random request, without even thinking about it.  Then, I finally started being a bit more selective about who I let in…

Now, people on Facebook usually fall into a couple of different camps… You might be a quantity person, who has thousands of friends – or you might be a more discerning quality person, who carefully considers every friend request.

I guess I fall into the “quality” category.  I’m not saying that there’s a right approach or a wrong approach – that’s a personal decision.  But I don’t want to be known as a Facebook Ho!  I’m not looking for a Facebook one-night-stand!  Hey, that’s just me.  I’m not gonna let just anyone into my Facebook family!  

It’s one thing if you’re a mega-marketer or an author and you look at Facebook like another potential customer list or database.  But for me, Facebook is not my “list.”

I’m not spamming these people or trying to sell them anything.  I’m trying to build and develop a long-term relationship!

OK, so I don’t have 1,000 Facebook Friends yet.  I’m pacing myself.  I’m looking at each request.  I’m being a little picky.  So, if you want to take my slower, build-quality relationships over time approach, here are a few tips:  These are the ten criteria I use to admit new friends into my Facebook family:

1.    Do I know you?  Should I know you?
2.    Did you include a personal message in your friend request?
3.    How many friends (if any) do we have in common?
4.    Who are your friends?  Are they people I know or respect?
5.    Have you posted a photo and a decent profile?  (Most people will want to
       see you)
6.    Do you look like a spammer in disguise?  Are you blatantly promoting a
       product?
7.    What are you looking for?  If it’s “hot chicks,” I’m not sure I want to friend
       you.
8.    Did Facebook recommend you in the “People You May Know” box?
9.    Did someone introduce us?  (via Facebook or otherwise)
10.  Do you look like you could be a psycho or a stalker?  

Set up your own criteria, or what author Michael Port calls your “Red Velvet Rope” policy, and decide who to add as a friend.  You may not have the biggest friend list, but the friends you have will be the right ones for you.  

Oh, and if you want to friend me, just click over to: http://profile.to/loubortone/
If you’re reading this, chances are I’ll let you in!