However, if you are using many of the Web 2.0 elements, there just is not enough hours in the day and you need to find whatever shortcuts you can find. Yet, if what you are doing destroys your credibility, it can be more harmful than helpful. So I think each individual will have to decide What will work for them.

Thanks for commenting.

I've made a lot of connections (and generated some traffic) through participation on groups and forums. I do not agree with your "three to four comments a day" advice (and certainly not with the with pre-written message approach). This may work for Web 2.0 search precepts, but at least in the equine field, such a practice will not build credibility on the forums – it will get you labeled as a self-absorbed, out-of-touch or a spammer. There's a lot of cross-participation in these lists and you'll get called out if you leave a similar message on various forums, particularly if you're broadcasting three to four times a day. In my experience, you have to work with the culture of the group to gain any traction, and that requires participation. Of course, I also tend to target smaller groups (2000 and less), as I've found these to be better networking forums, so this may not apply to some of the very large sites.

Nanette

However, not everyone has the time to write everything from scratch. When you consider the time invested in all of the other elements on my graphic above (many more important than this element), you either have to pay someone to do some of this or find some shortcuts. I know first hand that this is true.

I submit to you that it is better to copy, paste and customize than not do at all because you don’t have the time. If you have the time, I agree with your point totally.

I’ll also spread the word about your blog through Twitter and adding this blog to my Social Media blog roll and it looks like it had a lot of other very informative posts!

Thanks!
Yvette

I hope these are helpful to you.

Mike