Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter - Why Should You Be On These Social Networking Sites?

By Kent Boxberger. Why should you be on Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter? I get this question from people every week. Here are a few upsides and downsides to consider for each of these social networking sites. The answer is - You don't have to be on any of them. However, if you know a little about each, they can be the most powerful tool there is, in connecting and communicating with people locally and worldwide.

Facebook estimates the number of users to date to be over 100 million. LinkedIn is over 50 million and Twitter 18 million. All three are growing very rapidly and Free to join. There are many other sites, but these 3 sites are the bread and butter of connecting with people. Facebook started out as primarily a personal networking site, comparable to MySpace. The average age of users is higher and has morphed into a huge business advertising site as well. LinkedIn was created primarily for business and professional connections to expand careers, job opportunities and all business related subjects. Twitter also combines personal and business interests, but with a shorter format for connecting via a short 140 character limit to sending and receiving messages.

Many people worry about their privacy on these sites, fearing that people may know too much information about them and especially being exposed on the worldwide net. However, each site allows you to set up filters, which are easy to regulate exactly what you want other people to see or access. You may only allow what you want to be seen and by whom, thus protecting your self about information you deem confidential.

Facebook is great for connecting with your friends present and past. You may keep up-to-date with people you've known for years. Perhaps, you haven't seen or heard from a classmate from your younger years. Perhaps you don't even know they're even alive? Then suddenly you find them on Facebook or they find you. It's also great for finding and communicating with distant or close family members. Pictures and videos can be shared as well. Your profile information can allow your friends to get to know more about who you are personally and professionally and you get to know them better, as well. Haven't talked to someone in 20 years? Find them on Facebook and reconnect!

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful business networking tools in the world. I tell everyone I know, to join LinkedIn whether you own your own business or work for a company or both. LinkedIn is so important that most companies today, first check to see if you're on LinkedIn before they hire you as an employee, hire you for a contract position or just want to check you as a reference for anything. It's one of the things they do first in any of these instances. The format allows you to post your resume, background, specialties, experience, education, groups, interests and more. I personally, have gained new business and clients from others finding me and my company, via LinkedIn. When I want to check a person or company out first before doing business or hiring someone to do work, I first go to LinkedIn to learn about them. When you think LinkedIn, think business.

Twitter is a quick way to share news with the world. It's a short format that has long range networking capabilties. You may share a one sentence announcement and literally thousands of people can see it. Connections build on connections very rapidly. The downside to Twitter, is that most people share lots of worthless information, which makes it somewhat annoying to keep up with. In other words, too many unimporant twitters. Most people don't care what you did 14 times during the day, such as getting stuck in traffic or waving to your neighbor. However, it is a great tool for connecting to many people in a short amount of time.

At the very least, I'd recommend getting on Facebook and LinkedIn. The world is rapidly growing in these two venues. The advantages are huge and the downside is practically non-existent. It's not only fun, but has money, business and career implications, which can be to your advantage in a number of ways. The old saying, "It's Who You Know" that's important, is powerfully driven home, by utilizing these simple social networking sites to your advantage. You can enhance your exposure to the world, with just a few clicks and at the same time, learn loads of information about others, as well. The power of "effectively networking and communicating" has never been stronger and easier to do, than it is today. Snooze and loose, is your choice. Have some fun with it. You'll be glad you did.

Kent Boxberger
President & CEO
MarketCorp International, Inc.
www.MarketCorp.net
Atlanta, Georgia USA