Lots of people are now using social networking websites to connect with other people. Watch this 1.48-minute you-tube that explains the craze: http://www.commoncraft.com/video-social-networking The most popular “social media”/web marketing sites are: Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter. Another way to web market is to blog—when you do you establish your own website. Here is some useful information about each, why you might want to use them and how to.
Facebook—
Reason to use: to better “connect” with people you already know. You chose friends, they need to approve your choice of them by notifying you back, then you post as often as you want—what you are doing, planning to do, etc. You make a little of your life semi-public in exchange for getting a glimpse at other folks lives.
Good websites to check for more information:
- How to get started on facebook: http://bit.ly/llVC7.
- 10 reasons to use facebook for business: http://bit.ly/8PbbS.
Linkedin—
Reason to use: this is more oriented toward business. You find jobs, employees, customers, suppliers, etc by searching areas of interest. It lets you see the “hidden networks” in your life.
Good websites to check for more information:
- 2.29-minute you-tube on linkedin: http://www.commoncraft.com/linkedin
- Beginner’s guide to Linked-in: http://bit.ly/10hYqU.
- The lowdown on linkedin: http://bit.ly/5ztH1.
- How to use linkedin effectively: http://bit.ly/v8YSV.
Twitter—
Reason to use—to connect with people in your field that you don’t already know.
Good websites to check for more information:
- 2.23-minute you-tube on twitter: http://www.commoncraft.com/twitter
- 10 ways to use Twitter to promote your blog: http://bit.ly/bcszV.
- Top 10 Twitter Tips for Beginners: http://bit.ly/Kdynb.
- 50 ideas for using Twitter for business: http://bit.ly/15zGWe.
- 25 page book on how to use twitter for business: http://bit.ly/141RRu.
- 21 step cheat sheet for profiting from Twitter: http://bit.ly/DNFJV.
Blogging—
Reason to use—To have a means of telling the story of yourself to the world in more detail. Express yourself on whatever interests you. With a blog you will have a website because a blog is a type of website. This is the easiest and least expensive way to get your own website on the web.
Good websites to check for more information:
- 3-minute you-tube on blogging: http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs
- Introduction to blogging: http://bit.ly/MccvP.
- 10 Blog promotion tips: http://bit.ly/3AEwK.
- 10 ways bloggers can use twitter: http://bit.ly/bcszV.
- Things bloggers need to know: http://codex.wordpress.org/Introduction_to_Blogging
- A complete guide to SEO friendly blogging: http://bit.ly/844iL.
- Top 7 tips to write an effective business blog: http://www.wordbiz.com/newsletter/061605.html
- For a 45 minute video on how to use wordpress to blog, see the following video (WordPress is the most popular site to use to set up a blog): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWYi4_COZMU
Posted by Roger Kuder 
Roger Kuder's Blog 