It hit me tonight. Have you ever looked at all the content you’re creating and that you do not own?
I’m the biggest fan of “own your content”. Whenever I evaluate different technologies or solutions when it comes to content creation, I always ask myself: will I own that data? When I say “own my content”, I mean on my own server or at least I make sure I will be able to leave the service with the data I created.
It is so easy to spend half a day on twitter and Facebook building a brand and retweeting your friends, but these are services that could shut down tomorrow with all your data. Of course you would keep the brand you worked so hard to build and all your connections, but without a solid home (website) and a central place to access the content that made you so special, you’re screwed.
Don’t take me wrong here, social networks are useful tools for sure, but they are only tools: they shouldn’t replace your home (your website). Your brand has to go beyond the tools you use because the platforms can be replaced anytime.
What do you think?
That's really true Ben. These tools can change the rules and all the effort we put in will be history. This remind me how ebay change their rules on selling ebook. It used to be just a download link, however they change the rules and no digital product can be sold.
Absolutely, it's important to find the balance. In fact I think we'll always be working on the balance. I have to fight everyday not to spend too much time on twitter