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Even if you're a neophyte to the business of the Internet, if you're looking to become a big name in any way, shape, or form, you need to learn about social networking. From Facebook to MySpace and LinkedIn, you need to find out more about these websites and the power they have to send your information around the globe. In doing so, you can not only create a large network of friends, but also a large network of contacts with which you can do business or from whom you can learn. The world is becoming smaller and smaller with the reach of the Internet, but you still need to know how to best use these applications to your advantage.

MySpace

MySpace is a social networking site that works very well for those who are in the music business, primarily. With a feature to showcase new artists, you can easily get your tunes heard and shared around the site. The funky colors and patterns you can build on this site also allow you to best personalize your page and make it something that truly represents you. Signing up is free and finding friends to link up to is easy and painless. You can post events and performances, letting everyone in your friends list know when you are going to be on stage. The main problems with MySpace are these: the pages can take a long time to load and the site has become the place for teenyboppers. The slow loading pages aren't a good thing for web surfers who like to learn what they want to learn right when they want to learn it. If your page is too slow, the visitor will just move onto another page.

Facebook

As the newest sensation of social networking, Facebook is certainly making an impression in the world of business. By combining business applications with friend connections, you can manipulate this site to suit any need you might have. You might create a group that advertises your particular business or you can simply gather as many friends as possible in order to casually market your wares to those who already know you. Now, Facebook is a little dull in terms of design and you need to be aware that everything you post on your page can be seen by all of your friends unless you activate privacy settings to stop the slow of information. Signing up is still free here and you can post pictures as well as notes and calendar events as necessary.

LinkedIn

For professionals only, LinkedIn allows you to post your resume and start interacting with others in your particular market. You can link to other professionals you may have worked with and search your email address book to find contacts. Links on this site can post recommendations for each other, while also create a profile that showcases their skills year round. LinkedIn doesn’t have a lot of fun features, but as a basic professional listings site, it does the job. You can also search for professionals in your area to make local networking connections you might not have made on your own.