I can definitely relate on the responding and meeting aspect. I learned something very interesting in that department. I've been experimenting with “email blackout” times. For instance, I don't check email first thing in the morning because studies show that the first 60 minutes of our day is when our brains are the most efficient. Why waste all that efficiency hitting the reply button? Instead, I use my grey matter's horsepower to read blogs, come up with solutions to business problems; things that matter to me.

Secondly, to prevent distractions, I take out all unnecessary icons from my OSX dock. All I have in my dock is Finder, Safari, Mail, Address Book and Calendar. Those are really all the tools I use anyways, so why have extra ones in there. Besides, I can launch any app or open any docs from Spotlight (command + space).

Anyways, I could go on, but I don't want to bore anyone. I've got a bunch of ideas on how to meet people and keep your wits about you at the same time. I'd be happy to share them with anyone who is interested.

I've struggled with this in the past, but came with a solution recently that seems to have solved my problem. Previously, I would say yes to any meeting. Which was fine, but it started to wear me out and I wasn't getting done the things I needed to get done. I knew that I had to change something because it was starting to affect my productivity.

I began to tell people that I would be happy to meet with them, but it could only be on a Friday between 12 and 5. Why on a Friday? Well, I'm a relatively busy person, so taking meetings all week would ensure the death of my productivity and I wouldn't be able to ensure I could be helpful if all I could think about was when I could get back to work.

I found that 99% of people were very accepting of this. It's a system that works because everybody wins; you win because you can dictate the terms (and get your work done) and they win because now they've got your undivided attention.

I'm also became very selective of the meetings I agreed to; I find that most of the time, a simple phone call or an email will suffice. This further helps to free up time for other work or more urgent matters, like a face to face if it's necessary.

The trick is to learn how to say no. Or just not have brownies in your cupboard.

But isn't that what everyone does, isn't that what *networking* is all about (whether online or in the real-world)… ***using*** people?!

I was under no illusions when you followed my twitter feed (@TomHartPhoto) that you wanted to be my 'buddy' – hey, I'd love to buy you a beer sometime, but since you're in Canada and I'm in England, that might not happen for a while!

But at the same time, I recognised that your intentions were genuine – you're not 'F***ed Britney' or any of the other clowns on twitter, you actually have good quality content and something interesting to read.

I've RT'd some of your posts as well as connecting you with some people I was following on twitter after a request posted regarding social media analytics (whether they have since followed you, I do not know, but chances are quite high I think, as they are very interested in all things social media, and you have great information that is useful and relevent to them), so hopefully I've broadend your audience, and hopefully the connections through me will lead to more connections for you, and hopefully ultimately somewhere down the line be useful for your business and generate income for you (you're not just doing this because you're a nice guy, right?!)

So for me, it's not a case of if someone is 'using' someone else through social media, it's more of a case of if the 'use', if the relationship is parasitic or symbiotic in nature.

Perhaps I'm just debating semantics and being pedantic, but I think it's an important distinction to draw. To say the 'bad' people 'use' others while the 'good' people don't is misleading, I feel.

You've given me interesting information and hopefully I've receiprocated by connecting you with other (who hopefully will in turn connect you with more people) that will lead to a business benefit for yourself, so I'd like to think we have a nice symbiotic relationship cultivated through twitter!

The reason I like it so much is because it reminds me of how I made a genuine online connection with you, via Twitter > we recently shared a short burst of laughter about tweeting thanks (or not, ) for RT's. It made me laugh on a subject near & dear to me which developed a connection; you're unique and real to me.

I'm like your college Buddy, only without the bruised ego. I appreciate efficiency… and humour. Just give me the good morsels to chew on and don't thank me for the RT's (send me out the door happy – I got the goodies, didn't I?)

Susan here… That is so funny that you guys actually DID that! Oh my gosh, I'd never be able to do that… I'm way to much of a people pleaser.

But such a great reminder. As Janice said, we try so hard to constantly help others and try to give more than we get, but social media life is crazy busy and it can be hard to keep in touch with everyone to the extent that we want.

I find it hard to make enough time for commenting on other blogs, and it is something I'm always trying to improve. I do use Facebook and Twitter regularly and I try to leave lots of “Likes” and Comments and RT. Basically, I try to “listen” to the stream as much as possible.

~ Susan

This is such a challenge in social media. Because even if your heart is in the right place, time is so limited! There is just so much going on ALL THE TIME!

I try to do my best to be authentic and generous. I RT and link all the time. I try to comment – but I often read on my iPhone.

I try to give more than I get. BUT when I fail, I just hope people offer me grace. And I try to do the same. Tons of grace. Cause we are ALL just way too overloaded!

P.S. Do you have any food? I'm hungry.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by glennhilton: New Blog Post: A Lesson on Social Media Friending from a College Buddy http://is.gd/4L6M3...