I’m middle-aged and I’m very attached to my privacy. I started on Facebook when two things happened simultaneously: a client “friended” me and an old friend made it clear that FB was the best way to keep up with her. Within a few months, I’d connected with a high school friend (among others) and was posting pictures of my “girls’ weekend.” I’m still restrictive with my privacy settings but I’m a fan of people, organizations and causes, I occasionally tweet and I’m connected to all kinds of online communities, running the gamut from information providers to purveyors of fun.

Have I purchased anything I wouldn’t have because of social media? Not yet. But my purchase decisions have been influenced by it. I’ve hired services recommended through Angie’s List and I just signed up—via a social media site—to receive notices on discounts for local services, including restaurants. And that’s hitting me where I live—if I’m going to make an impulse purchase, it’ll be for a cocktail and a snack (but I digress).

I’m interacting with complete strangers about things I care about. I’m donating more. I’ve become more attached to brands that make the effort to connect with me and that’s changing what and where I purchase.

Even though I don’t spend more than an hour or two with social media each week, if you don’t provide a place for me to connect with you, I’ll find someone else who does (or they’ll find me). I know I’m not everybody’s demographic—but I’m somebody’s.

Is anyone else surprised by their own relationship with social media?

Beth Woolley wants to know…

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