How much networking is too much networking?

Some people say you can never have enough contacts, and in the fashion and stylist industry, I think that rings true. Models, photographers, event management, stylists etc – you never know when they can help you out, open you up to opportunities or whether you may need to know someone in that particular area to help you out.

However, when it comes to online networking and social networking site (twitter, myspace, facebook etc etc) how much is too much? There are hundreds of thousands of fashion bloggers out there and so many online networks and profile sites and forums that it is possible to be involved in. Where do you draw the line?

How much time do you dedicate to each as well? Lookbook.nu, Chictopia, Vogue and other fashion magazine forums. Do you just add yourself as a profile page or member, only to use it once or twice and become an inactive member? I find I don’t have the time to go and comment and upload and update every social networking site I'm joined to.

Can you ever have an even spread as well of your time? I think I could if it was my fulltime job! However, there are so many sites and opportunities to meet and be exposed to new people and blogs and designers and pictures etc that it get frustrating having to cull the amount of communities you join.

My head is not the best at remembering either so I re-discover a site 6 months after signing up and don’t know my login name or password!

Are you better off dedicating yourself to one or two networking sites and pumping it for all its worth?! Because even if you join some amazing networking community, no one bothers looking at a member who’s page says “Last activity April 2009”

The other line is personal or professional? Do you create your profile to read as someone looking for work or working in the industry or do you do it at a much more personal level and want people to get to know who you are, like a blog rather than a website. Especially for those starting out in the industry and wanting to get experience, you can’t palm yourself off as a professional with nothing to back it up!

So as much as networking is pivotal to the fashion industry and it really is a  ‘who you now’ business, make sure your contacts here from you regularly and that you maintain a constant input in your online community. Pick a few niche sites to join that suit you the most, rather than just being on a general online community under the sub category Arts>Textiles>Clothing>Fashion

What sites do you guys join? What do you think are the best social networking sites? If you have any questions as well – feel free to ask! Hope this helps.