I was bumbling around the internet looking for something, as you do, and came across an interesting post from Penelope Trunk.

Penelope is a career adviser, author of Brazen Careerist: New Rules For Success, and an excellent read as a blogger.  She is brash, honest, witty, and gives a lot of herself in most posts.  You should check her out.

Why am I blogging about a career adviser on CXMatters?  Read on.

Penelope blogged about her experience using a few social media tools like Twitter.

Essentially, as an expert in this area, she advocates the use of different social media tools for different reasons.  In other words, pay attention to the Community eXperience (CX).

Facebook was created with a CX in mind.  A college party.  Find a place online to plan ‘em, chat about ‘em, and post the pics afterwards.  And today, it still is a little on the wild side.  So are many other networks that have sprung up on this model.

Twitter, I’m pretty sure, was not built with any sort of CX in mind at all.  Build a tool, throw it at the wall, and see if it sticks.  It worked for Twitter.  It hasn’t seemed to have worked for Plurk.

LinkedIn has a completely different feel, or CX.  It’s like being in a library.  SSSHHHHH!!!!!

And so on.  Each has their own distinctive characteristics to be aware of.

Penelope points this out, in context of personal branding.  Breaking the rule of consistency in message is a no-no in personal branding, but the right thing to do in social media, if you are going to participate (”It’s a fine line” - her frequent saying).  She’s realized that because the CX of each community is different, one-size-fits-all messaging does not work.  Look at how some companies, even “hip” ones like Yahoo, use Twitter.  *yawn*.  No authenticity.

Remember this point, if you are going to join any social media site.  The CX is bigger than you.  Either ‘play with it’ to see if it suits you as Penelope suggests, or just don’t go there.  It will do you more harm than good.