Social media: what do I know?

Kim’s current assignment for the 2009 Blog Improvement Project is:

Write a post about a social media tool that you currently use.  If you don’t currently use any social media, pick one you’re interested in, do some research, and write a post about what you’ve learned. Posts should be as specific and experience based as possible. If you’re stuck on what to write, here are some ideas — how do you use this particular tool to improve your blog or relationship with other bloggers?  How do you balance time between blogging and using social media?  What are some specific things you wish you’d known before you started your chosen your new tool?

Here are some of my thoughts on various social media networks that I’ve come across.  I’ve opened accounts with several of these just to grab “my” name (SheIsTooFondOfBooks or TooFondOfBooks if character-limited), but am not active on all of them (just yet!):

• Facebook- This is the network I am most current on.  I log in daily, sometimes updating my status or linking to a post from my blog.  I link to most of my book reviews and giveaways, but not to memes, awards, etc.  I joined the Networked Blogs group, and have sent invitations to many of my Facebook friends.  This has been a good way to get my IRL non-blogging friends to visit She is Too Fond of Books more often.  It is a good mix of IRL and online connections.  I limit family info, as I do anywhere online, and make use of “friend lists” for privacy.  I got several tips from a Facebook privacy article that Kim had linked to a while back.
• Twitter – Here’s a tool that I joined to hold the name (it’s TooFondOfBooks), but have not yet begun to tweet.  Thanks to everyone who’s already following my empty air space!  After I read the wrap-up to this BIP assignment, I expect that this will be the tool I incorporate next.
• Book Blogs on Ning – Great discussion pages on the groups here!  I know it’s a quick and easy way for publicists to contact book bloggers, and I’ve had super response from other bloggers when I’ve asked a “how do I …” question on one of the forums.  I don’t update my home page regularly; it seemed redundant since most of the people who read/write on Book Blogs also tend to read blogs directly (I’m comparing this to Facebook, where I’m drawing in non-bloggers by linking to a subset of my posts).  Should I be linking more on my page at Book Blogs?
• LibraryThing- This is what got me started last April!  I opened a LT account and after cataloguing most of my home library I began blogging.  The rest, as they say, is history    I’m not as active on the forums as I was even six months ago, but there is a wealth of information, and I would guess that the majority of LTers are not book bloggers.
• Technorati- Other than my Technorati Authority (105), I’m not sure what this site is doing for me …
• Blogged - Ditto.  I like that my site was rated by Blogged (but, 7.8, what’s with that?!  Should I be asking you to rate it and improve the grade?), and I believe they have a decent directory of blogs, but do readers really use this as a reference?
• Fuel My Blog – Somebody prove me wrong, I’m starting to think this is just a silly ratings scam!  I joined and diligently went thru and rated a dozen or so blogs that I really read.  The only votes I’ve got are from people who leave the comment “I like your blog.”  Sounds kind of automated, hoping for a return link … am I just a Doubting Thomas?

OK, those are my thoughts.  I’m actively using Facebook and feel it’s a good way to mix IRL and bookish connections; I’m eager to learn more about Twitter and to see if that will be a good addition to my repertoire!

Comments/questions about my dip into social media?  Please share!