An interesting story from Paul Chaney on the use of Twitter and LinkedIn to help him with information.

I am only a recent Twitter user but have already found it invaluable. Like Paul I needed some help. In my case I needed extra case study and background information to help a presentation I was asked to do at short notice. I put a request out with both LinkednIn and Twitter. My first response was on Twitter within 30 minutes. That was done publicly and I am sure helped some of the further contacts I got. In total I had 6 responses on Twitter. All provided details of subject matter experts or access to published research. A couple of people replied direct to me via my Twitter account.

LinkedIn had seven responses. 2 direct as they were from people already in my network but I had not thought to contact direct. 2 were sales in nature - companies pushing their software solutions - they were OK but not quite what I wanted. The others were good. The first LinkedIn response was with me in 4 hours. The others came in over the next 4 days.

Conclusion:

• Twitter wins for speed of response
• Twitter wins in terms of non-selling and just linking to other experts
• LinkedIn wins in terms of knowing more about the source of info (click through to responders profile)

Both worked. I would use both again but allow more time for LinkedIn. Twitter is fast.

I am not sure why but I never even thoought of using Facebook! I will next time.

Not sure about you but I have been on LinkedIn for a number of years now and always found it a useful tool for finding old work collegues. I have invited people to join and get invites to. To be fair I never used it in 'anger' to seek business. I did get a flurry of invites a few months ago but I do not proactively contact many people in my network.

About six weeks ago I got another Facebook invite and too the plunge. I am hooked. I love some of the neat applications but most of all I like the way it helps me keep in touch and know a bit more about friends - their interests, tastes and hobbies. Nothing too heavy but enough to know what interests them. I have already used it to seek advice about a book to read and a film to see. I also found out someone was at the same University this week as me also attending a summer residential course. They saw my 'what am I doing' and they posted that they were also here. Without it we would either have never have known or found out months later. I have also started talking to some people in a similar line of business as ourselves and with similar interests.

For me it works. Nothing too resource intensive. Not intrusive but with enough info to help start the conversation.

For another opinion check out Paul Walsh's blog. Also read some of the comments. (Thanks to Hugh McLeod)