|  Guide to Social Networking   Introduction - A social networking website brings together people in a virtual online community. The largest of these social networking sites are Facebook, Bebo and MySpace which attract millions of visitors per day. The main functions of a social networking site are to allow users to communicate with each other throughout shared member functions such as a webpage, chat, video conferencing, e-mail and blogs. Once registered with a social networking website, members can contact each other depending upon their interests and needs. Online 'friends' can be created (even though these people may not have even met before). Most social networks prompt new users to register and create a profile explaining who they are, their interests and preferences, upload photos and invite others to join their 'group. By searching through and browsing other member 'profiles' friends can be 'added' into 'groups'. This functionality also provides the ability to reject friends from the group just like the normal socialisation as groups form in the real world. How Can Businesses Profit from Social Networking? - Social networking originated as a teenage phenomenon and rapidly spread to all age groups across many geographic boundaries as well as areas of collective 'interests' including religion, business, politics, fan clubs, special interest groups, dating and relationships. For entrepreneurs, and business owners, social networking provides a tremendous opportunity to sell by the power of recommendation; For small businesses, the power of recommendation (via a social network) can be exploited in the following ways:- -
Setting Up a Virtual Interest Group - by creating an interest group including articles and video related to issues facing your prospective customers, members of the network will find your group. Most social networks have advanced search features that allow members to find groups and recommend that group their their online friends. Beware that negative endorsement is just as contagious as positive glowing references. As the group grows in size you should post details of forthcoming events and may discover group members telling other virtual friends outside your group about your announcement. -
Encourage Sharing Information - by encouraging existing customers to visit your Interest Group within a Social Network customers can exchange ideas with other like minded customers electronically. With less and less free time, individuals can share experiences using the network, (without having to travel to costly 'user forums', 'workshops' and seminars where social barriers sometimes meant less confident people might not participate). |
