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Everyone is talking about “social networking”. What are they on about and why should you care?
Heard of Facebook?
You might not know what social networking means but you’ve probably heard of Facebook, yes? Facebook is a social networking site. In fact, it’s the most popular social networking site. And the 4th most popular website in the world.
What is a social networking site?It’s where people with common interests meet and communicate online. Social networks range from general sites for friends through to websites that cater for more niche enthusiasms. Here are just a select few:
- Facebook – friends
- Myspace – friends, indie music
- LinkedIn – general business people
- issociate – professional and industry associations
- Last.fm – music
- Flixster – movies
- Goodreads – book lovers
- WAYN – travel & lifestyle
- Fetlife – fetishists
What can you do on a social networking site?
That really depends on the site, but most will let you:
- Reconnect with people you know
- Meet new people
- Share stuff: thoughts, videos, photos
- Discuss issues
- Find out about upcoming events
- Get advice
- Play games (very popular on Fetlife apparently)
Why do social networks matter?
By this point, one of two things is likely to have happened. You “get” social networks and are about to be sucked down into a vortex from which you might emerge bleary-eyed in about 6 months. Or you’re thinking, so, why all the fuss? If you’re underwhelmed and don’t see a place for social networks in your busy life, that’s fine. But consider this …
Social networking is HUGE
Facebook was only opened to the public in 2006 but it already has more than 250 million users worldwide. If it was a country, it would be the world’s 4th largest. Social networking isn’t a Gen Y thing. It’s a human being thing. And it’s here to stay.
Facilitate or fade away
If you don’t personally want to engage in social networking, that’s OK. But, if you rely on customers or clients or members or fans or constituents, you need to appreciate that they do want to social network. And if you or your organisation doesn’t facilitate what is now considered a natural and inalienable right, you’re going to weaken your connection to these people – or lose them entirely.
Learn more
If you run a professional association or an industry association and want to see how issociate can provide the social networking your members want – or will want – contact us.
Related posts
91% of professionals want social networking – but not as we know it
Top 10 reasons why associations should issociate
How social networking could end professional associations (or save them)
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