These sites are not just communication devices for chatting with your friends and relatives, they are a great tools for generating leads and helping close sales by increasing exposure and developing connections. In addition, they will improve the organic ranking of your blog or website, as search engines are now sending traffic to your site based on these social networking "traffic sources".
Following are some of the best and most popular social networks:
1. Twitter: Twitter is one of the easiest ways for informing your clients, friends, etc., about business developments, promotions, business initiatives, new products or, in the case of blogggers or webmasters, new content. Twitter is especially big among the 35-49 year olds. It is a "follow-me" site that allows you to post messages of up to 140 characters which are displayed on your profile page and delivered to those who are following you or have subscribed to your “tweets”. You can restrict or allow open access to your "tweets". Like all the others mentioned here it is free unless you use SMS (short message service). Twitter has more than 6 million unique visitors each months and is currently the fastest growing site in the Member Communities category. Although discovered by the media, less than 7% of the population are using it, but growth over the last year was close to 1,400%.
2. Facebook: Facebook is a great opportunity to "tap into the fountain of youth". You can join in by city; workplace; school; etc. and create a page for a celebrity, a band, or your business. Choose your “friends” and use the privacy settings to control what type of information is automatically shared. The most popular application by far is the ability to upload unlimited photos. Now you can even send "gifts" for $1.00 with a personalized message to your friends as well as post free classified ads to everyone in your network. Facebook grows by about 230% each year, the fastest growing demographic being those 25 years and older.
3. MySpace: Use MySpace to introduce and boost awareness of your business, promote your blog, website or yourself, recuit personnel, etc. MySpace is one of the fastest growing websites of all time. Most of the users are 18 years of age and older. The content of this interactive network is user-submitted. A good site for finding friends, groups, videos, musicians, photos, blogs, etc. You can use "bulletins" to deliver your message; designated groups can share a common page and message board; full service classified listings are available; and you can upload recordings, photos and much more.
The last two are aimed primarily at professionals:
4. LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to stay informed about your contacts and industry and to find the people and knowledge you need to make your business more successful. LinkedIn is a great way to introduce men to your business. This strictly business-oriented site is used for professional networking. Primary users: males averaging 41 years of age. Your developed "connections" are people you know and trust in the business. Your connections, connections and their connections (called second degree and third degree connections) allow you exchange information, ideas and business opportunities. You can join relevant alumni, industry, or professional groups of your choice.
5. BizNik: Make use of BizNik to establish yourself as an expert in your industry through articles and content. BizNik is a localized network for people building real businesses. It is a good place to introduce yourself, share information about your business and entrepreneurial endeavours and talk to like-minded professionals. The site is based on relationships, not referrals. You can join a group; teach a seminar; post on the boards; upload your articles; host and/or attend online events; etc.
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