by Brian Cody

Created on: April 19, 2010   Last Updated: April 25, 2010

Social network sites are the hot topic of our day.  There are so many social network sites out there, you could literately be online 24 hours a day.

 So the oblivious  question becomes what is your goal and purpose of joining social network site?   The follow up question becomes what are the best social network sites for me to join and what is the best way I can optimize the time and use of those sites.

 Is your goal and purpose for joining social network sites strictly for business and professional use? Is your goal and purpose for joining social network sites strictly for dating, entertainment and social use?  Or is it a combination of both.

 The number one social network site destination is now Face Book.  Face Book as of  2010 have over 400 million subscribers.  Face Book can be utilized for your business and professional use as well as your dating, entertainment and social use.

 One of your concerns with social network sites is to set up a professional looking profile.  On that profile include a professional photo of yourself. If you are using Face Book for business and professional reasons first impressions count.  People will feel more comfortable working with you  based upon how your profile and photo looks.

 Those college days of your doing bong hits, and drinking games will come back to bite you even if you did not inhale.  Are you aware that 45% of companies are now reviewing social network profiles such as Face Book during their hiring process.  Those companies are even reviewing your remarks and group associations.

 So when it comes to setting up your Face Book profile or any social network sites profile keep the following in mind;   1) You should focus your attention upon setting up a professional looking profile as well as uploading a professional looking photo of your self, 2) Make sure to set your privacy settings on Face Book as well as any social network site, 3)  Read the (TOS) terms of service and the (FAQ) frequently asked questions, 4) Import your Email contact list of family, friends, and associates, 5) Engage in the social network community and join groups, 6) Comment in community discussions, and forums, 7) Always be professional with your comments, avoid negative comments 8) Organize your contact list of family, friends, and associates.

 A second social network site to join is Linked In.  Linked In is the Face Book site for the business professional.  It is a great site to set up your profile, join networking groups, look for jobs, increase your professional network, locally, nationally, and international.  On Linked In I belong to some 25 different groups that relate to my profession.

A third social network site is Twitter.  Twitter is a powerful micro blog that allows you to send out twit messages that are less than 140 characters.  So Twitter forces you to define and drill down your message to be direct and to the point.

 Were you aware that the Library of Congress of the United States is now permanently archiving all sent twitter messages dating back to March 2006?  So it is imperative that you think twice before you push the send message button on your twit.

 Social networking sites are the 21st Century version of the old pony express, the telegraph, the landline telephone.  It is a communication tool that is here to stay.  The sooner you embrace the concept of the social networking sites the quicker you can take advantage of it.

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