Several of my colleagues are a bit shy about getting involved in social networking. First, they fear that it’s simply a waste of time and a means to generate tons of unwanted emails in their inbox. Second, they’re overwhelmed at the choices and don’t know where to begin.

So do you choose Facebook or LinkedIn for your professional online profile? I’m actually using both, and I’ll tell you how I got to where I am. A couple of years ago, I decided I’d had it with LinkedIn and I wanted out. But at that time, I couldn’t delete my profile, and even though the company told me they had deleted it for me, they really hadn’t. 

I was anti-LinkedIn for a while because of that. But recently I got back on the LinkedIn bandwagon because so many of my colleagues were active there and I wanted to give the site another try.

I’ve been on Facebook for a couple of years too, but I’ve changed how I use the site, and that’s how LinkedIn got back in the mix for me. When I started on Facebook, I pretty much “friended” anyone who asked, whether I knew them professionally or personally. In recent months, however, I’ve changed my approach to Facebook, and reserve it mostly for people with whom I have a personal relationship. For the most part, my network there includes friends, family, and a handful of professionals who I consider more than just colleagues or acquaintances.

I’m now using LinkedIn for professional purposes, and leaving Facebook more for fun. I’m still posting my blog posts and some professional updates on Facebook, but those are really just so my friends know what I’m up to.  I consider Facebook more personal, and so I’m restricting access to my profile there (Which just happens to be deactivated at the moment, due to a bad change in the Facebook privacy options. I’ll be back, though.)

My recommendation if you’re a professional just starting out in social media is to start first on LinkedIn. Think of it as your online rolodex, and as a means to communicate with professionals you want to reconnect with. You can also use it as an opportunity to meet others who might be good contacts for you and your business.

Give it some time, and look at what your colleagues are doing there to promote themselves and make good connections. You don’t have to sign up for every available service right now. Take it one at a time and decide what you want to get out of each, and then work to develop your profile and connections in accordance with your plan.