Before social networking became popular as it is today, many wondered why social networking would work. It quickly became apparent. A social networking site allows individuals to create public or private profiles which fit into groups (networks) in which they interact with friends, family, and other like-minded people. It also allows users to explore other groups and connections which others in their network might be connected to. The connective list quickly multiplies out to reach hundreds of millions of people. Essentially, it unites people from across the world and makes them easily accessible right from laptop or cell phone.

Not only does social networking keep individuals in touch, but it also a huge medium for business advertising, news, announcements, campaigning–whatever you could possibly imagine can be promoted on social networking.

One aspect many users appreciate about social networking is that besides joining various groups and staying on top of news, they can create their own profile to perfectly reflect themselves. This can include a huge variety of options including color schemes and fonts, videos, music, pictures, and links. Profiles can show everything from birthdates and gender and relationship statues to places of work, interests, and favorites. Businesses use social networking sites to help target potential customers, and then use effective advertising techniques and frequent profile updates and deals to attract clients. Prolific profiles enable businesses to really specify what clients could be interested in, and how best to attract them.

Marketing through social networking works to attract people who would be possibly interested or in need of certain business services. Not only then does a business affect a client, but it can also reach out to all of the client’s friends and associates, as that individual shares through his or social networking site the great service he received.

Best of all, most social networking sites are free to users. Usually just an email/user name and password is required. Additional services may require charges. Businesses, for instance, can often start up a free profile page, but advertisements throughout the site have a fee attached.

Facebook began in 2004 and did not take long before it skyrocketed to the top of social networking sites. Originally, Facebook was originally created for college students, and even required a legitimate college email address to start an account. However, it soon expanded and now includes over 500 million users. The growing majority is now users thirty-five plus years old. Other popular social networking sites include Twitter, LinkedIn, and MySpace. While all have a huge following, none have surpassed Facebook.

By analyzing how individuals process information, it is possible to gain insight into the dynamics of social networking. By deciphering this, both businesses as well as educational bodies will be able to take data and analyze it to be able to encourage teamwork and further innovation in the global economy. By studying how different generations work together and relate, it is possible to learn how to better encourage critical thinking and give both businesses and learning organizations the groundwork to prosper.

 

Don Robinson -
About the Author:

Don Robinson was first published in a campus publication he helped organize in the early 1990′s.  A year after the newsletter was launched the library of congress published his poetry in an Anthology entitled Tears of Fire. Don has a B.S. in plant and soil science from the University of Kentucky and an M.A.Ed. from the University of Phoenix.

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