How much for that Twitter in the window?
Earlier on this month Rocketboom founder Andrew Baron decided to sell off his twitter account as blogged on Bloggersblog (of all places!).
There's also a LOT of discussion about this on Chris Brogan's blog as well.
Myspace profiles have also been previously sold so is there an angle that recruiters need to be aware of on social sites?
Generally, the view seems to be that Andrew Baron does not 'own' his contacts and has no right to sell them on. I can't see how anyone can suggest this as contact details, e-mail lists etc are sold all the time. But the key issue is around the fact that any of the 'followers' think they are following AB and will be conversing with him. Not anymore they won't of course but if he'd sold it in a less obvious way, or he was less well known (by some) then what?
Imagine if you wanted to portray yourself as someone different. Say you were a recruiter and wanted to be able to connect more easily with other HR professionals; you get the idea. As we all become more virtual:
- How do we know that who we talk to are who they say they are?
- How do we know that 'they' really are speaking their own mind?
- How do we know who we are if we are someone else online to offline?
- Who do you end up working with if you don't know anyone but speak to everyone?
With that in mind, I'm off to speak to someone who I think I know before it's too late....... Anyone for a meeting; in the real world?
