In this age of Facebook, Twitter, Four Square, blogging and a seemingly limitless list that goes on and on, sometimes we feel like we have to spend more time talking about what we’re doing rather than actually getting something done. Can you relate?

Don’t get me wrong, technology has transformed the way we do business and in my humble opinion, has changed it for the better. One look at my inbox and it’s clear that electronic communication is the champion of the day for not only getting things done but creating a paper trail to keep track.

However, for all its benefits, pitfalls also exist, namely not having enough time in the day to get it all done. I admit, I am one of those who has a daily calendar on my desk and I truly enjoy flipping the page to see what inspirational quips await me. One from December 3rd, which is still on my magnet board, struck me as particularly poignant: “You can make a different choice and set a new standard for your work habits by allowing technology to work for you, to create more time for living as opposed to more time devoted to doing more work.” A mere three days later I read this one: “Stop running around simply because you have to “keep up.”

Sound familiar? Better yet, sound reassuring? It did to me and as a self-professed workaholoic who can never say “no” it also seemed to be just the message I needed to hear. Not to say that I don’t still have the occasional 4 am emails that I send out, work some every weekend and turn off my Blackberry only when my eyes are so heavy I can’t keep them open, but I do strive to keep it all in perspective.

So, you might ask, what’s a business in 2010 to do? Social networking is great but so is a face-to-face conversation with a client. At the end of the day, what will you remember more, having an engaging dialogue with someone you value or reading a quick hit on a page full of hit-or-miss tidbits of information?

I say it’s a balance. Simple answer? Yes, but true. Social media has opened up a world of opportunity for all business owners everywhere, just be sure that your drive to keep up doesn’t bring you down and if it’s been a while since you’ve taken a client to lunch, I say give ‘em a call and set a date (then, more importantly, resist the urge to post to Facebook and Twitter that you are finally taking a lunch!).

It’s almost like building a house only with a home you at least have certain limitations that gravity will impose. With web, the possibilities are limitless, which should make for an incredibly positive, imaginative experience; however, I have found that it often creates an overwhelming sense of confusion both in my personal journey and when I walk through this same process with clients. Are you shaking your head in agreement?

With that in mind, I offer these following tips so that your web will go live without you feeling the need to abandon the whole process entirely.

First, choose a GREAT web development firm. Seems obvious, I know, but I also know it’s easy to convince yourself that your smart nephew or that friend down the street who has dabbled in it will do a “fine” job and maybe even save you some money. All I can say, as nicely as possible, is you get what you pay for. Harsh, yes, but it’s true. Do your research, look at the work of the person/agency you hire and ask tough questions – you’ll be glad you did. For my site, I have been lucky enough to collaborate with Paragon Design Group – can’t say enough wonderful things, really! Beyond their creativity and design prowess, they have also given me complete control from this point forward thanks to a little content management system known as WordPress. So now, when all you potential clients out there give me a chance to flex my creative muscle, I’ll be able to post that work online, by myself, without having to go back to the web guys again and again. Kinda liberating don’t you think?

Second, don’t let perfection hold you back. Working in every medium known to man, I admit that is often a stumbling block for me. With printed pieces, once it’s in ink, you are slightly married to that work for a while. Web, however, offers complete flexibility (especially thanks to the emergence of WordPress and other content management systems like it). I believe that one fact makes up for the no-limits intimidation I spoke about earlier. You create it, you make it live, then, if you decide on something new, you change it. No worries!

Third, resist the urge to kitchen sink your site. By that I mean, just because you have a lot to say, doesn’t mean your audience has a lot of time to read it. We all know that attention spans are getting shorter and shorter these days so you need to put yourself in the minds of your audience and simply answer this one question: What’s In It For Me? In the end, that is the one selling point that will persuade a casual browser to become a possible customer or client. Deliver that message effectively in your web, and all the work you’ve put into its creation will be well worth it!

So, speaking of short attention spans, I don’t want to make this too long. I do, however, want to thank Philip, Susan and Drew at Paragon for their continued support during this process. I was the one, yes, I’ll admit it, who drug my heels and made far too many changes – - but in the end, I have gained new insight into what my clients go through as well as what the essence of my company truly is. If you asked me, that’s a real-world experience that is absolutely priceless.