We hear a lot of conversations about how you interact at cocktail parties and social gatherings is comparable to how you participate in social media. A very good analogy. Think about your last social gathering. How did you strike up conversations? Are you a mingler? Are you the life of the party? Or are you on the quiet side. Only strike up conversations after someone starts it? Are you satisfied with just observing? In other words, are you an extravert or an introvert? "Extraverts (also spelled extroverts[1]) tend to be gregarious, assertive, and interested in seeking out excitement. Introverts, in contrast, tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less sociable. They are not necessarily loners but they tend to have smaller circles of friends and are less likely to thrive on making new social contacts. Introverts are less likely to seek stimulation from others because their own thoughts and imagination are stimulating enough." - wikipedia

Being an introvert or an extrovert obviously affects the outcome of your social life. But I was just curious of the ramifications it may have on your social networking behavior online. Based on the description above if you're an introvert, what would your personal social digital footprint look like? Would it be made up of very small select private groups? Would you be an observer and not an active blogger? Or would you be extremely active with conversations? With such a controlled environment, and with technology that allows you to filter exactly what you want, is social media the ultimate communication platform for people that are more introverted? They can be connected with their own world online and be by themselves at the same time.

As an extrovert, do you belong to multiple groups on Facebook? Multiple social networks? Are you great at starting strings of conversations on Twitter? Do you like having over 300,000 followers? Yet you may still feel isolated and alone and in need of being around people physically. Not virtually and electronically through tiny chat boxes. Do you frequently post small talk on all your friend's walls?

Companies who are now becoming more involved with social networks are finding that it requires a specific amount of resources, and skill sets to facilitate and maintain. That includes someone with the ability to engage and bait the right groups into conversations that lead to their agenda, as well as the ability to listen and monitor. Are introverts more naturally wired for online social behaviors? What about yourself. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? What does your personal social footprint look like? If you're not sure if you're an introvert or extrovert, here is one of those Myers-Briggs tests to find out. Wonder what others are thinking? Join the worldwide question.