Most people are familiar with social networking – virtual communities where members can connect and collaborate with others from around the globe. Social networking has been major news for the past several months, garnering newspaper coverage, television reports and magazine articles as the media touts the phenomenon as the largest and fastest growing web application since the advent of the world wide web. One national magazine even went so far as to say that “…social networking sites are now more popular than porn sites.” Yeah, they’re that popular.

With well over 400 million registered users worldwide, social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, ecademy and several thousand others continue to attract millions to their online communities. For many members, these sites offer a forum for personal expression; allowing them to share photos, videos and the latest happenings in their lives with those they’re connected to. These sites also offer an opportunity for members to make new friends and reconnect with old. As their name implies, these networks are social in nature.

But is there a business application for social networks? Are they useful tools for a salesperson in prospecting? Can they extend the reach of a company’s marketing efforts? Are consumers even looking on these sites for people or companies to do business with? The answers are yes, yes, yes and yes. I’d add bold typeface here, but I think you get the point…

And that is exactly the point of this site – showing companies and individuals how social networks and the other tools of social media can be used to develop new business, retain past clients and collaborate for the development of new products and services. This site will offer training, ideas, tips and resources for making the most out of your social networking efforts. And while it will be centered around the concept of developing and strengthening your business using these tools, we’ll also have some fun along the way and make new friends. After all, we’re talking about social networking.

~ Brad