Everyone has their list of tools they use: twitter, facebook, linkedin, google wave, youtube, stumbleupon, digg, technorati, whrrl, foursquare, (want to see the full list?)… but, the ones that you choose to use are up to you.

I would love to use all the social media tools that look like fun (LibraryThing? Awesome!) but the reality is, I just don’t have the time. Luckily, I understand that I don’t have the time and can choose properly the right way to spend my time and which social media tools I need to use to improve my business. I use a lot of tools sparingly: stumbleupon, digg, youtube; they are used when I need them and not kept in regular rotation. But, there are 3 that I love, and swear by, using every day:

1. Twitter: I use it because of the ease of connecting with anyone else who is on twitter. I can find people who share my interests, oppose my interest (sometimes just as fun!), are in my area, or can help me in some way. I can share quick conversations, build them into real friends and create amazing real life tweetups where I can meet them all. I gain business. This isn’t why I use it, it is just a side effect of strong connections and the relationships that I build. Business is slowly being gained through twitter because I am referred to tweeters looking for someone like me by tweeters who know what we do, and so business builds!
2. Linkedin: I use it to answer questions, ask questions, and connect with current and past clients and people whom I know through business alone. This is specifically used for business – not personal. I gain referrals, recommendations and access to people and their updating resumes as we need people to work with or to work for us.
3. Facebook: This one is tricky because I use it for both business and personal. I like this one because I can create a stronger bond (longer conversation, more sharing, etc) with people quicker than I can on twitter. But, I also talk with less people because it is so much more intimate, so I limit who I become friends with to those I have met in real life or have become friends virtually. I gain details of life. I do not get to see all my friends and family in person as much as I would like – facebook allows me to keep up with what everyone is doing.

Which tools do you use? Which ones would you like to use but don’t have time?