Social Networking Links the World Together

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Social networking provides a way for individuals and businesses to keep up with each other, to announce important events, advertise developments within their industries, or just say, “”Hi,”" to distant friends.

The Big Three
The three most well-known networking sites are Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, with many social networkers making use of all three.

Facebook is arguably the most well known, and many businesses make use of the fact that millions of private individuals like to use it to gossip with friends, exchange news, and enthuse about their interests and passions. By inviting interaction through ‘likes’, ‘follows’ and ‘friends’, the business uses the Facebook portal for powerful word-of-mouth advertising.

Twitter works in a similar fashion, although the posting capabilities are very much more restricted. Limited to just 140 characters, twitter posts are very short bursts of information that’s relayed to all the tweeters’ followers. Followers can retweet, which means forwarding recieved information to their own followers.

Linkedin tends to be used more as a portfolio or professional advertisement site for social networking. Many professionals post their resumes, join in with like minded people in the same profession or join online professional organizations. They network for job advancement or professional leads, as well as for social engagement. It does not have the same popular appeal as Facebook, although it can be used in a similar manner.

Joining All Three
Starting off in social networking is a simple matter. Accounts are needed at all three networking sites and are simple to open by choosing a username and password. You’ll then be encouraged to fill in personal profile information, and you need to decide how much and what type of information you’re willing to share. Once your account is set up and running, you are free to begin making comments, posts, publishing information and joining in existing network conversations.

There is extensive help available on all the sites to enable new users to become familiar with how each site works.
Many people find online networking invaluable for keeping up with distant family members, or reconnecting with old friends they’ve lost touch with.