I love being inspired, just not every hour. Each morning I read Attitude by Charles Swindoll, (it's posted next to my medicine cabinet). No matter how many times I visit the bathroom each day, I only read it once in the morning. I'm referring to the people who believe it's their duty to post motivational quotations hourly to make sure I'm sufficiently inspired. Yes it's noble, but is it effective? For business professionals, the key to social networking success to think of their activity as PR. Agencies issue press releases to announce company news. They always end with "for more information, contact..." The online equivalent is the hyperlink. No link, no connection and worse, no action, no traffic. For business professionals, social networking is the art of engaging in a dialog, not delivering a monologue. My secret desire it to hear what's really going on in their world. I wish they would put some meat on the table. Man does not live by quotes alone. When I read a virtual quote, I'm inspired for a few seconds, then I have to get back to work. Poof! You had top-of-mind awareness for one brief, shining moment. Then you're gone. At least until you bother me again in an hour. Digital technology is quite enabling. Maybe that's the problem. Be a good friend, when you discover a business associate engaging in passive online marketing behavior, use these tips to perform an intervention.

• Active Listening - Much of the sharing on social networking feels like we're being talked to, instead of having a conversation. Every now and then, take a breath and listen to what others are saying. Especially if you expect them to listen to you.
• Real Voices - Some of most inspiring quotations were spoken by dead people, when they were alive. There are so many inspiring stories happening right now, right next to you. Be Present.
• Real Connections - When you find someone online whose work inspires you, go to the next level. Connect with them beyond social networking, learn about their work, their passion, join their community.
• Path of Engagement - For business professionals, connecting social networking (PR) to your content (Marketing) is the best path to your products and services (Sales). Build strong links to your most valuable content. Customers will appear, as if by magic.
• Balanced Diet - Inspirational messages should be the spice you add to your day. Use it sparingly.

For those inspiring authors who are not inspired by this post. Let me introduce you to inspiration's first cousin, perspiration. I don't what you to stop inspiring, I want you to give us more. You can do more than performing a cut/paste on quotes from dead people. You can do more, I'm looking forward to it.