The first thing many people do when they get to work is head to the kitchen for a cup of coffee or to put away their lunch. They exchange pleasantries with colleagues, stop by a co-workers desk on the way back to discuss the botched play in last night’s game. Heck, on the way to work they kissed the doorman, yelled at the jaywalker and ran into old friend Bob on the train.
They engage.
That’s what social media is for entrepreneurs operating out of their home office. It’s the water cooler. The shared space of a cubicle. The drop by and the hang out. The social sphere where friendship are forged and relationships built.
So don’t go hating with that smirk and ask, “when do you get your work done?” We could ask, how much work do you get done? Because we already know when — 9 to 5. We’re still at it beyond midnight.
And for those who deride the less than corporate exchanges, we’re not on there to nag people into purchasing our products and services, we’re there for the office chatter. To engage, meet new friends and foster meaningful relationships. And in the process, we may even squeeze in an update or two about what we do, what drives us, our passion about the industry, our place in it and how we hope to help change it in some small way. Or big way. We may even get clients out of it. We do.
We love hanging out, especially on Facebook and Twitter, so stop by. You may even hire us 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As I consider you one of my fav Twitter/Facebook buds, I obviously agree!! I find much more camaraderie and support from my social media buds that I interact with online, then I ever have in any office I’ve ever worked in!
Thanks, Rachel. Feel the same. And we bonded over the NY Jets, a long way from our law related entrepreneurial ventures. I also like the access these platforms provide – like unwinding after wrapping up a client project at 2 a.m. by chatting on twitter. Gotta love it!
I think that social media is a two edge sword. I agree with you are saying. However, after a brutal review of my use of time, I believe facebook and twitter has hampered my ability to ship in the short term. But it is so damn addicting… the constant flow of information, the short “conversations,” always finding new stuff.. intellectually engaging.
But I then understand why people rail against intellectuals, many don’t produce anything. I love gaining knowledge more than anything and I love socializing, but producing pays the bills.
Meeting people in real life for coffee or lunch as been far more productive. Spending more time blogging (like the recent article that you are alluding too) certainly creates more business in the short term. However, in 3 years time, that may change.
We need to find a better way to to take the community that we have built on social networks to create something great.
I keep thinking the incubator model, identifying the top 40 solo or small biz entrepreneurs in Manhattan that we mutually engage with and create a co-working space. Perhaps we could start small (my conference room can accommodate 8 once a week or so to start).
The model can also been done at Hive 55 or Sunshine suites rather inexpensively. What are your thoughts?
You’re right Fred. It’s addictive as well it should because we need that interaction, camaraderie and community. But there’s def no one-size-fits-all purpose and level or type of engagement. For some it’s content distribution and it work for them.
We’re social beings, and like you I love meeting up for coffee but I’m not sure the experience is always “taking it to the next level”. Sometimes the online relationship is vibrant and meaningful on it’s own. Certainly in today’s digital world.
I tried the shared office space thing for a couple of months a year ago and didn’t much care for it, though it may have had more to do with the space than anything else. But I love your idea! Let’s chat more about me checking out your conference room as a co-working space.
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