Social networking is currently one of the hottest Internet trends-and quickly gaining popularity.
Three of the most popular social networking sites, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, are currently in the top 15 most popular websites-both globally and in the US.
These three websites and other social marketing movements have literally changed the way we communicate, do business, and interact socially.
Words and phrases like "friend request," "unlike," a "tweet" have become an acceptable part of our daily vocabulary.
The sharing of news, pictures, gossip, and stories among friends and acquaintances has become instant, on-demand, and more informal and convenient than ever.
The definition of "friend" has become anyone you know, or even anyone with whom you've at least had a brief conversation-either online or offline.
Many businesses are now taking advantage of the popularity of social networking.
There are many companies and organization that are getting free advertising, revolutionizing their marketing strategy, and investing an increased amount of their time and budget to get noticed on Facebook or maintain a Twitter account-something that would have been unheard of even a few years ago.
Social networking has open doors to gaining and spreading information that it's no longer just considered a silly pastime for college and high school students.
As for the individual, a website like Facebook has everything when it comes to communication and leisure.
Consider this comparison of how times have changed: Twenty years ago, if people wanted to invite someone to a party, they'd mail an invitation.
If they wanted to share pictures with friends they'd make print of their film and put together a scrap book.
If they wanted to quickly ask someone a question or tell them some news, they'd give them a call or leave them a memo.
Ten years ago, these daily tasks moved to the Internet.
Emails began to cover many of the tasks that would have been mailed, like invitations, bills, notices, fliers, memo's, etc.
Digital photos helped make sending them over email, or posting them to a blog or photo sharing website possible.
Still, it required some work to upload attachments or create an account on these websites.
Even then, getting others to be able to access it required additional emails and account set ups.
Instant messaging and chat started becoming a popular way to communicate, but not everyone could be online all the time, so it had its limitations.
Today, you can do all of these things from a Facebook account.
Since nearly everyone you know has an account, you can find and keep in touch with anyone you want-no matter where they live or how often you see them.
You don't need to know their phone number, email address, physical address, or screen name.
You just add them as a friend! You can write messages, instantly share photos, chat, instant message, blog, and read and watch everything your friends have posted.
You can set up events, causes, and pages, invite anyone and keep them all informed.
Social networking is starting a revolution and setting new ground rules.
And it's only just begun.
Three of the most popular social networking sites, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, are currently in the top 15 most popular websites-both globally and in the US.
These three websites and other social marketing movements have literally changed the way we communicate, do business, and interact socially.
Words and phrases like "friend request," "unlike," a "tweet" have become an acceptable part of our daily vocabulary.
The sharing of news, pictures, gossip, and stories among friends and acquaintances has become instant, on-demand, and more informal and convenient than ever.
The definition of "friend" has become anyone you know, or even anyone with whom you've at least had a brief conversation-either online or offline.
Many businesses are now taking advantage of the popularity of social networking.
There are many companies and organization that are getting free advertising, revolutionizing their marketing strategy, and investing an increased amount of their time and budget to get noticed on Facebook or maintain a Twitter account-something that would have been unheard of even a few years ago.
Social networking has open doors to gaining and spreading information that it's no longer just considered a silly pastime for college and high school students.
As for the individual, a website like Facebook has everything when it comes to communication and leisure.
Consider this comparison of how times have changed: Twenty years ago, if people wanted to invite someone to a party, they'd mail an invitation.
If they wanted to share pictures with friends they'd make print of their film and put together a scrap book.
If they wanted to quickly ask someone a question or tell them some news, they'd give them a call or leave them a memo.
Ten years ago, these daily tasks moved to the Internet.
Emails began to cover many of the tasks that would have been mailed, like invitations, bills, notices, fliers, memo's, etc.
Digital photos helped make sending them over email, or posting them to a blog or photo sharing website possible.
Still, it required some work to upload attachments or create an account on these websites.
Even then, getting others to be able to access it required additional emails and account set ups.
Instant messaging and chat started becoming a popular way to communicate, but not everyone could be online all the time, so it had its limitations.
Today, you can do all of these things from a Facebook account.
Since nearly everyone you know has an account, you can find and keep in touch with anyone you want-no matter where they live or how often you see them.
You don't need to know their phone number, email address, physical address, or screen name.
You just add them as a friend! You can write messages, instantly share photos, chat, instant message, blog, and read and watch everything your friends have posted.
You can set up events, causes, and pages, invite anyone and keep them all informed.
Social networking is starting a revolution and setting new ground rules.
And it's only just begun.