Social Networking

A Brief Look Into the World of Social Networking

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:35:59 +0000

A Brief Look into the World of Social Networking

Undeniably, social networking has been one of the biggest internet fads to date, having millions of people subscribe and visit the countless social networking sites everyday. With the popularity of social networking these days, someone who isn’t taking part of all these can’t help but wonder if there are any real benefits to it all – whether if you’re personally using it or your company is using it. A lot of social networking members will claim that there are heaps of benefits to these kinds of sites so let’s take a look at some of them:

1. Building a “social network”

When you’re a member of social bookmarking sites, you get to meet friends the world over. You aren’t restricted to your own local community when it comes to meeting new people, unless of course, the social network that you belong to is restricted to your locality alone. These people can become mere acquaintances, friends or even business partners. Relationships in social networks tend to be flexible. Your social network can also be “specialized” depending on what you need a social network for.

2. Social networking sites have different categories

As stated in the first point, you can choose which social network you want to subscribe to depending on how you want to use it. There are different kinds of social networking sites:

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Conventional and generic networks

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News networks

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Bookmarking networks

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Business networks

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Media-sharing networks

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Video-sharing

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Image-sharing

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Music-sharing

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Startpage networks

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Fitness and sport networks

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Widgets and plug-ins networks

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Mobile networks

With the knowledge of the different kinds of social networking sites, you can easily choose those that are to your interests and build a network that will suit your needs as an individual, career-person or a business entity. For a more in-depth look at the many forms of the social networking world, you can check this list:

By: konsort.org

About the Author:

Earn From Social Networking

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:49:03 +0000

Do you have a new membership website or on-line business that you’ve been working on

starting? Do you notice that anytime you go to put the finishing touches on it, by some unknown powerful cyber force, you end up on Facebook instead? Or MySpace? Or Bebo?

Wouldn’t it be great if there was some way you could earn using social networking?

Well, if you have an up-and-coming membership website or online business then it’s possible.

But how?

It’s simple. By generating a large amount of targeted traffic to your membership site, you will be able to earn using social networking.

We’ve all heard people trying to pitch a concept or idea door to door. From steak knives to

makeup to Girl Guide cookies, people have relied on socializing as a way to sell their goods.

This is similar to online social networks. You earn using social networking; however, you don’t

have to walk door to door; you don’t have to recite a speech; in fact, you don’t even have to get

off your office chair. You can promote your product and earn using social networking in the

comfort of your own home.

If you already belong to a network like Friendster.com or MySpace.com, earn using social

networking with just a press of the button. Post your membership site on your profile page as a link with a quick explanation of what it is.

Or send your friends a link with your new membership site in a private message. Ask them to

pass on the message to others who might be interested. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to promote your new business and, in this case, word of ‘mouse’ is an even easier way to earn using social networking.

However, even if you don’t belong to a social network site, you can always join one and earn

using social networking. In fact, this is probably the best way to reach your target audience. Find social networks catered to your membership site or online business.

For example, if you’ve created a website catered to new Moms and Dads, earn using social

networking by joining CafeMom.com or other parenting networks.

Pretty soon you’ll have a group of members for your website and will be making a residual

income, just by socializing!

So, while you’re sleeping in or relaxing in your pyjamas in front of the TV, someone could be

clicking onto your profile, joining your membership site and making you an income, all through

the process of social networking.

By: Simon Fusco

About the Author:

Simon Fusco is an Publisher and Marketer and an online reviewer.
Ear From Social Networking

Social Networking Landing Pages — How to Turn Your Social Networking Friends Into Customers

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:27:33 +0000

Isn’t social networking fun? You get to meet all these people and connect with them and spend hours looking at their profiles and videos and photos and…

Okay, so clearly social networking can take an awful lot of time. The question is, is it worth it? Will spending all that time doing social networking lead to an increase in sales?

And the answer is, yes it can. But you need to be strategic about it — just like you need to be strategic with all your marketing. And one way you can do that is to have a social networking landing page.

So what the heck is a social networking landing page? Well, it’s a special page on your web site or blog designed specifically for your social networking folks. This special page continues the conversation you started on other social networking sites. (This is very important, you should always design landing pages as continuing the conversation started elsewhere, whether it’s your prospects clicking on a Google ad or followers intrigued by something you tweeted about on Twitter.)

You see, many people send their social networking friends to the home page of their web site or their blog. And while that’s not a terrible thing to do, you could definitely do better. You see, the home page of your web site or the first page of your blog is more general. It has to be. You don’t know how people are finding your site. They could be on it because they just heard you on a teleclass or read an article by you or someone referred you. You don’t know so you have to keep it pretty generic about the problems you solve and the solutions you provide (and of course, push them to give you their email address).

So by creating a landing page specifically for your social network buddies that continues the conversation already started in the social networking scene, you’ll be that much closer to transforming them into eventual customers.

Okay, so what do you put on this social networking landing page? Do you try and sell them there?

In a word — NO! Remember, social networking is all about building relationships and making connections. And, through those relationships people will naturally want to support you and become your customer. The last thing you want to do is send your social networking buds to a page and try to sell them.

(Now, that doesn’t mean your page can’t include a couple of links to some products so they can read more and buy, but no hard core selling.)

Instead, share more about yourself, your family, your interests and your business. Then invite them to give you their email address in exchange for a free gift from you.

By getting on your email list, you are now in a position to deepen the relationship. Along with getting your regular newsletter (you HAVE one, don’t you?) which contains great information and content, you can also invite them to your free teleclasses, which also contain fantastic content but also includes an invitation for them to become a customer, or you send emails to them also inviting them to become a customer.

See how this works?

So take a few moments to put together a social networking landing page and see how it can start transforming your social networking activities.

By: Michele PW

About the Author:

Michele PW (Michele Pariza Wacek) is your Ka-Ching! marketing strategist and owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting LLC, a copywriting and marketing agency. She helps entrepreneurs become more successful at attracting more clients, selling more products and services and boosting their business. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.MichelePW.com. Copyright 2009 Michele Pariza Wacek.

How do you Build your Social Networking Sites?

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:46:37 +0000

Vagabondious Rex. asked:

What is the best way to build your social networking sites so that people enjoy your profile and follow your links? I could really use suggestions.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

The Secret of Marketing on a Social Network

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:46:30 +0000

The explosion of online social networks like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn has opened up a whole new world of marketing. These social networks create new realms of possibility in the realm of online marketing, as it enables (at a minimal cost) a massive word-of-mouth campaign. As word-of-mouth is the most effective form of advertising, it’s no wonder that so many companies of all sizes are interested in social network marketing.

The earliest and still most common form of marketing on social networks is to simply create a presence on the social network. Many corporations, charities, bands and other organizations have an account on the social network, and one or more employees is tasked with maintaining this social presence. Through the social network, the organization can announce to it’s many friends and customers what new products and services they are offering, in addition to enabling customers to have a more personal relationship with them. This is free and productive, however it does not have much of an effect and many corporations are seeking other options.

The best way to market via social networks is to encourage participation. Many companies have found that by taking suggestions, running contests and otherwise bringing the members of the social network in, they can greatly increase customer loyalty. It also permits companies to quickly “crowd source” projects such as logos or new food flavors.

One last way many organizations use social networks is for “Astroturfing,” which is when an organization works to make the appearance of a grassroots organization when actually they are using a network of company agents to advertise a product or service. This is often against the terms of service of the social network, and it also often leads to severe backlash. Many modern consumers will see astroturfing as lying to them, and so it is a tactic best avoided.

By: Kenji Sakamoto

About the Author:

Kenji Sakamoto, the webmaster of article Directory Online and Digital Product Directory, has offered various articles and Information products. To find out Social Network Marketing, visit his website at Marketing Articles or Marketing products

Creating Your Own Social Network: Creating New World!

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:59:21 +0000

For survival it is necessary for every individual to live in a society as no one can live in isolation. Society provides us security, exposure and plays a key role in overall development of an individual. From the very past times, this concept of society is prevailing in the world. Earlier Indus valley civilization, Nile valley civilization and many more other sophisticated and well maintained societies had given birth to the society concept. With time, this society concept is accepted every where in the world. Creating our own social network in this highly modern society is necessary for every human being.

With the advancement in the internet facilities, social networking has become so easy and simple. Gone are the days when can not contact with any other person living at another end of the world. The highly advance internet system has made it easy for everyone to be in touch with their near and dear ones, without any fear of long distance. The Internet is the best medium available to users where they can make their own social networks effectively and can easily communicate with his friends fro worldwide. In this workaholic world, Internet has simplified our problems to a great extent.

Nowadays many social networking websites have evolved, which are the fastest and the most interesting medium to make worldwide networks. Through these amazing networking websites every one in this world can remain in touch with outer world and is able to communicate more excitingly with other persons residing at any end of this vast world. Some of the social networking websites at present are Orkut, Facebook and My space, which have become highly popular among users. These websites are the best medium to remain in touch with the whole world for business as well as personal purpose. Lots of people have accepted these websites for social networking and have made important contacts worldwide for different important purposes. This concept has gained so much popularity that almost every one has embraced this highly innovative concept of making effective and everlasting social contacts with the outer world.

With time and demand for new social networking websites, many other interesting websites have also come up, to provide more excellent communicating services to its users. Through these unique mediums of networking one can not only take advantage of sending SMS but can also make PC to PC call. This is the most lovely and popular service which has helped users to communicate more effectively with their loved ones. Besides this, various social networking websites also provide you with the amazing facility of sending instant messages to any mobile number of any countries that too at very affordable rates or even many times free of cost also.

Besides this you can also share your favourite videos and pictures with your Internet friends through these effective networking sites. It also let users to join many communities of their favourite choice, where you can give your opinions and thoughts and can also share views with other persons. All these fantastic and amazing facilities have made these websites very famous among customers through out the world.

Making a social network with outer world is not a tough job nowadays because of these highly advance and efficient websites, which allow users to create their accounts to remain in touch with their friends from every part of the world.

By: Nisha Garg

About the Author:

Create your own world through social networking on one of the best entertainment portal You Tring.

Baby Boomer Social Network Catches Fire—2900% Growth

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:28:24 +0000

Baby Boomer Social Network Catches Fire—2900% Growth

Lifesmine.com, considered by many to be the fastest growing social network of its kind, has recently been experiencing explosive growth as more and more people over 40 years of age are catching onto the hottest trend on the internet–social networking. In just the past few weeks, Lifesmine’s internet reach, as tracked by Alexa a subsidiary of Amazon.com, has grown by 2900%. While growth is slowing at most top Internet sites, it is skyrocketing at sites focused on social networking, blogging and local information.

The dramatic success of those Internet categories is apparent from a recent online-traffic analysis provided by market research firm ComScore Media Metrix, which examined visitor growth rates among the 50 top Web sites over the past year. As of December 2006, it was a busy month for social networks across the board. In September, one in 20 U.S. Internet visits included a stop at a leading social network, almost twice the rate of a year before.

Lifesmine’s (www.lifesmine.com) phenomenal growth is even more impressive when compared with many of the social network industry leaders. The five fastest growing social networks, other than Lifesmine, identified during a recent tracking period include Bolt (271%), Bebo (95%), Orkut (63%), MySpace (51%), and Gaia Online (41%). In an industry where high growth is the rule, Lifesmine.com’s expansion dwarfs all the others.

The recent success of Lifesmine is also important considering what a recent national analyst said about the social network business model in general. “In order for a social networking site to be successful, it must attain a critical mass, and competition is fierce to attract new member,.” said Jill Meyers, an Analyst with In-Stat. “So far, sites have focused their attention on a younger demographic, which is finite, fickle and limited in expendable income,” she added. Recent In-Stat research finds that the biggest American generation, the baby boomers, is frequently overlooked.

Baby Boomers are one of the two age groups that Lifesmine CEO Larry Lutvak has focused on in terms of his efforts to build a strong company. “We know that adults from 40-60 years old are in the midst of an entertainment transition,” stated Lutvak from his Tampa Bay area offices. “High speed bandwidth and cheaper computer costs are driving internet usage and more and more people are choosing social networking as a way to meet new people and spend their time,” he added.

Lutvak also cited the recent strategic adjustments by Facebook as regards their renewed focus on the 35 and up marketplace. “We could see that advertisers wanted to see an evolution in social networking towards more mature age groups”, said Lutvak.

Observers have lauded Facebook for attracting an increasing number of business and professional users and more consumers in the 35-plus age categories than is usual for networking sites, which often skew younger. All this should mean growing advertising revenue for the site.

Industry experts have also said a broader base of investors seems ready to embrace social networks, citing as evidence the networks’ rapid growth and funding rounds by venture firms and rich individuals. A recent case in point: the $40 million raised by Ning, an online service that allows consumers to create their own social network “for free in seconds,” according to its Web site. Netscape pioneer Marc Andreessen is one of its co-founders.

All of this bodes well for Lifesmine.com provided they continue to grow rapidly. The company is using a combination of Google pay par click advertising and consumer generated online publicity to add new subscribers. With general internet user trends pointing to continued growth of internet penetration by Baby Boomer, Lifesmine.com is poised to enjoy even more growth.

Robert Cefail

Editor-In-Chief

Press Direct International

By: Robert Cefail

About the Author:

Robert Cefail is a founding partner of In Touch Media Group, a marketing firm specializing in online media.

Social Networking Annoyances

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:34:00 +0000

The spyware, virus attacks, worms, SPAM are the issues no more only linked to your PC usage, but they have lots of doing with your social networking habits also. The security issues once raised only for PCs can now be more vigorously asked for social networking habits. These sites are indispensable to youths of today but they are just invites for additional work at your part.

This feature will list some of the major annoyances or irritations that this virtual network of friends via social networking sites can lead you to:

The biggest annoyance linked to social networking is crawling of worms. The users hogged social networking fundaa as salvage from the virus attacks on e-mail boxes. But to their knowledge, worms crawl in. Yes, the social networking sites are also hit by the attacks and the havoc is more widespread. For instance, a highly rated worm attack was registered on Orkut (social networking site form Google) in 2006 which propagates as an image file to other users profile stealing their personal data. The scenario is more or less same on each social networking site. The issue needs immediate addressing but contrary to that more worms are written to repeat the same havoc.

The concept of mobile social networking enabling real time, location based messages is rooting up but still slow to steal the focus. Many sites like Facebook, or MySpace are moving to add mobile phone features but are still weak. The concept is no fun with lots of technical requirements. It needs multiple wireless carriers and social networks. The GPS enabled phones give you this option but people find calling easier.

The people generally flock on social networking sites as they allow you to create a social circle with friends that have lost after school or college. But the irritating part with these sites is the continuous pouring of messages from the unknown persons. The option is with you, you can deny the request but irritation is what some feels. It can also be considered as a toll on your privacy.

The more irritating than friend requests is the arrival of SPAM messages in your inbox. People have really hopped on new idea of social networking as a way to advertise their business. On many of the well reputed social networking sites, you can see the commercial advertisements running by side which can really cost on your storage space. The meaning is simple this new kid can invite the traditional SPAM on your email message.

Adding to all these annoyances the big one is – cancellation not easy. While registering with these sites is easy (or seems easy as allows you to join lost friend circle), canceling your registration is no kid game. It is not easy as clicking on Delete button and things done. You must need to go through cancellation process or some more other hefty procedures.

With these much of annoyances linked to social networking sites, people are really getting adhere to the phenomenon. And the most positive thing about the concept is that biggies involved know its bringing together online not walling.

Renu Singh, ITVoir Network

For more info visit the link :www.itvoir.com

By: renu singh

About the Author:

Security Issues Abound as Social Networking Goes to Work

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:22:26 +0000

Employees use two types of social networking sites. They bring their Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other identities to the office. At the same time, they use professional social networking – LinkedIn and others – for more “official” duties.

It has the potential to be a major problem. This Newsfactor piece based on Forrester research identifies social networking as a key element of the ongoing corporate Web 2.0 wave. By 2013, the firm says, social networks will constitute a $2 billion chunk of what will be a $4.6 billion sector.

Hopefully, organizations will catch up on the security front. The piece says that only half of Web filters deployed by Barracuda Networks are blocking MySpace or Facebook. Those who are doing so are trying to guard against virus and spyware and to maintain employee productivity. It would be interesting to understand how many of these organizations understand that social networking sites are great avenues for phishing and other social engineer exploits, and for dishonest or ignorant employees to send vital information beyond the firewall.

This is a nice CNN overview of the flow of social networking into the corporate space. What the author doesn’t say is that the evolution of social networking from consumer to business use is precisely what happened with cell phones, Wi-Fi and other tools: People used them in their private lives, liked them, and brought them to work. In this case, the writer says, more secure, corporate-aimed offerings are available. Yammer, for instance, is a business version of Twitter. Other corporate social networking newbies, according to Forrester, include Awareness, Communispace and Jive.

One of the advantages of the fact that new technology has moved from the consumer to business world so many times in the recent past is that experts consider the security issues more quickly. There seems to be a bit less denial. This Legal Technology piece offers a good description of social networks, and references a Black Hat presentation that looked at insecure features of social networks and identified the biggest vulnerabilities. They include cross-site request forgery (CSRF), cross-site scripting (XSS) and the lack of a mechanism to validate the security of customer applications. The writer offers seven tips for safely using and administering social networks.

This is not all theoretic: Business people are using social networks – and the bad guys are going after them. For instance, SPAMfighter cites reports from The Washington Post’s Brian Krebs about spear phishing attacks against about 10,000 LinkedIn members. The story says social networking sites often are the target of spear phishers because users are used to getting e-mail from other members. This e-mail purported to come from support@linkedin.com and carried the subject line “Re: business contacts.” Recipients following the instructions in the e-mail installed a malicious program aimed at stealing sensitive information from the computer.

There is a lot to worry about. Dark Reading offers a scary vignette on how dangerous a social networking site can be. The big problem is that there is no way to simultaneously optimize security and interactivity. To a great extent, emphasizing one comes at the expense of the other. Dark Reading runs through some of the problems, and links to pages that describe in more detail seven of the most dangerous activities: impersonation and targeted hacks; spam and bots; “weaponized” applications; XSS and CSRF; identity theft and corporate espionage.

By: Carl Weinschenk

About the Author:

Carl is a contributing editor to Communications Technology magazine and has held staff positions at InternetWeek, tele.com, Cable World and Cable Marketing magazines.

What is a Social Network?

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:32:01 +0000

lockergnome asked:

live.pirillo.com - MySpace, YouTube, FaceBok, Flickr … they’re all social networks, but what is a social network? … video info information tutorial help computer pc software howto