Understanding Social Networking
The phrase 'social networking' leaves some people puzzled.
Part of the confusion regarding the term is due to the fact that, in previous years, the term had been used differently than it is currently.
Today's social networking means simply to group people into a specific group.
The term used to be limited to face-to-face meetings, but this is no longer the case.
What has caused this shift to occur? Put simply: the Internet.
Because of the Internet, we have the ability to network without having to be together in person in real time.
We can meet virtually and interact that way.
Social networking is a major component of Internet traffic, and is the fourth most popular activity people online are engaged in.
Putting this into perspective, the third most popular activity is using email.
Social networking is used for all sorts of purposes online, from finding a romantic partner to reconnecting with old friends to finding employment opportunities.
Some social networking sites are more popular among professionals than others.
Most professionals agree that Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook are appropriate for networking online.
According to research, online social networking can contribute to hiring, sales, and marketing for business.
One of the most important and influential professional networking sites is LinkedIn.
LinkedIn was started in 2002 and launched a year later.
To date, it has more than 50 million users scattered across more than 200 countries and territories.
Facebook handles even more volume of users.
There are more than 150 registered users with Facebook accounts; around half of these users are on the site on a daily basis.
Facebook users can be found in more than 170 countries and territories, and users post to the site in more than 35 languages.
Additionally, the site is becoming increasingly popular with professionals.
Use of Facebook by American users over 35 has doubled in the past few months.
Twitter still lags behind these other two in terms of numbers, with 4.
1 million users monthly.
However, research shows that Twitter users are more technologically savvy than users on other networking sites.
Twitter also draws a more educated population of users, and more women.
Part of the confusion regarding the term is due to the fact that, in previous years, the term had been used differently than it is currently.
Today's social networking means simply to group people into a specific group.
The term used to be limited to face-to-face meetings, but this is no longer the case.
What has caused this shift to occur? Put simply: the Internet.
Because of the Internet, we have the ability to network without having to be together in person in real time.
We can meet virtually and interact that way.
Social networking is a major component of Internet traffic, and is the fourth most popular activity people online are engaged in.
Putting this into perspective, the third most popular activity is using email.
Social networking is used for all sorts of purposes online, from finding a romantic partner to reconnecting with old friends to finding employment opportunities.
Some social networking sites are more popular among professionals than others.
Most professionals agree that Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook are appropriate for networking online.
According to research, online social networking can contribute to hiring, sales, and marketing for business.
One of the most important and influential professional networking sites is LinkedIn.
LinkedIn was started in 2002 and launched a year later.
To date, it has more than 50 million users scattered across more than 200 countries and territories.
Facebook handles even more volume of users.
There are more than 150 registered users with Facebook accounts; around half of these users are on the site on a daily basis.
Facebook users can be found in more than 170 countries and territories, and users post to the site in more than 35 languages.
Additionally, the site is becoming increasingly popular with professionals.
Use of Facebook by American users over 35 has doubled in the past few months.
Twitter still lags behind these other two in terms of numbers, with 4.
1 million users monthly.
However, research shows that Twitter users are more technologically savvy than users on other networking sites.
Twitter also draws a more educated population of users, and more women.
Source...