A Newbies Introduction to Social Networking & it's Role in Business Growth

Social Networking & It's Role In Facilitating Business Growth.

According to the concept of the "Six degrees of separation" (also variously referred to as the "Human Web"), everyone is at most six steps away from any other person on Earth, so that a chain of, "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in six steps or fewer. The theory that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries was first proposed in 1929 by the Hungarian writer Frigyes Karinthy in a short story called "Chains." This concept is at the core of social networking.

Now, with the Internet currently integrated into nearly all aspects of everyday business use, many business owners are recognizing the important role that social networking can play in the world of entrepreneurship.

The Importance of Social Networking

Social networking can help a business gain contacts, clients, and increased public awareness.Even entrepreneurs who run small businesses from their homes can take advantage of this resource to set up a global presence.To make the most of social networking, it's important to fully understand the concept of social networking and how it can be applied in ways that will help you grow your business.

What is Social Networking?

Even before the Internet, social networking existed. In a nutshell, social networking is when a person uses already existing contacts to meet new people as potential social or business links. Such links, in turn, will help expand future connections. Small and local businesses can even do this simply by attending community events or participating in trade shows.Anything that gets the company name out there, or connects your company to helpful resources, is considered networking. Technology now makes this possible to do online, and not just face-to-face.

How can it be done Online?

As mentioned earlier, one can compare social networking to the concept of the six-degrees of separation. Based on the idea that any two people can be connected through a chain of five or less intermediaries, social networking can occur through social network sites and communities that may not have formed before the advent of the Internet. Through these sites, people join, and then invite their established contacts to do the same. Those contacts will likewise invite other individuals.

Now, you may ask, does it work? It can work as long as you treat online social networking just as you would if you were doing it in person. Be an active member of a community or site. That being said, it is only as valuable as the amount of effort you want to put into it. Just like meeting face-to-face, a first impression is a lasting one.

Getting involved in social media means understanding a few key factors:

* Social media is NOT advertising.

* Be yourself. No matter what social technology tool you get involved with, you need to be yourself. Recognizing this fact will help you build better relationships and see greater results.

* Share and be honest. People get involved with social media for support; they bond with people who are like-minded and whom they respect. Be open about giving advice, and be honest about your point of view. You don't have to agree with everyone to connect. People want to be influenced; that's why they're out there seeking advice.

* It's a marathon, not a sprint. Getting involved with the social media world is like going to your weekly networking meeting. People have to get to know you before they start sending you business.

And last but not least - apart from Apsense, here are some other examples of social media networking sites:

** IBOToolBox

** IMfacePlate

** PeopleString