Today's Top Social Networking Sites: Which one fits your purpose?

The abundance of Social Networking sites in today's society gives the consumer countless options to communicate with other people.  The question is: Which website suits your best for your intentions?  Are you looking for a SNS (Social Networking Site) to simply talk with friends?  Expand a Business?  Network your own business? Or follow your favorite celebrities?

Here i'm going to walk you through the top five social networking sites, elaborate on their pro's and con's and help you decide which fits you best!

Facebook is ranked number one for all around quality and popularity by both Top Ten Reviews Website, as well as eBiz.  Which doesn't come as a surprise to most of us.  As college students we use facebook primarily to keep in touch with friends- both new and old aquaintances, as well as distant family members.  However, facebook has become a great tool from a business perspective as well!  The ability to create a "Fan Page" on facebook gives companies great opportunities to keep in touch as well as inform their clients of special offers at a very affordable (free) cost.

I'm sure your shocked to find that Twitter ranks in as the second most popular social networking site.  Although limited to only 140 characters for a "tweet", Twitter has become an extremely popular tool for communication, especially in more suburban areas.  If you are into celebrity gossip, Twitter is a social networking site that you need to get familiar with, if your not already.  Much like a facebook newsfeed, twitter is a way to constantly know what's on people's minds, and even what they had for lunch for some of the more serious Twitter addicts.  Don't count Twitter out on the business aspect quite yet! Twitter can be just as great, if not better for keeping your consumer's informed of whats happening with your business!-- Also reaching a different audience than facebook alone.

According to Brad Franklin on Search Warp, "Use of MySpace works well for younger people who don’t use e-mail very often but enjoy instant messaging".  My space likes to credit themselves for being the first large-scale SNS.  Originating in 2003, MySpace kept it's lead over facebook until 2007, according to an MSNBC Article, but has now been surpassed by the explosion of facebook.  MySpace started as a place for highs school students and even middle school students to keep in touch with each other, and it seems as though that's where it stands today, with no word of and expansion in the near future.

LinkedIn is a relatively new social media site.  According to their LinkedIn Learning Center, "LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 80 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals."  LinkedIn is a great SNS for college students as well as young professionals looking to pursue a career, or move up in the business world.  LinkedIn exceeds the limitations of Facebook and Twitter as far as career opportunities, as it's sole purpose revolves around the business world, rather than social networking between friends.  See THIS LINK for a YouTube video explaining more.

Ning comes in at number 5 according to the eBiz article on the "Top 15 Most Popular Social Networking Websites".  Ning is actually a SNS site used to MAKE a Social Networking Site.  Used heavily by political parties, celebrities, and talk-show hosts, Ning.com is a way for anyone to get the word out on what they are doing, where they are performing, or when their next social appearance will be.

I hope you found this helpful, and encourage you to check out these Social Networking sites to see what they can offer you!

Social Networking: A Positive Experiences

It is no secret that Social Networks play a vital role in interpersonal relationships in today's society.  Many benefits arise from online relationships, whether it's for emotional support, or creating ties for similar interests.

Various Studies have been conducted to research these effects and what they have discovered may surprise you!

First, we'll start with the role that social networking plays for emotional support
Critics often state that restricting your communication with others online will decrease our abilities to have legitimate offline conversations.   The fact is however, that it's quite the contrary.

According to Sharon Jayson's article in USA Today, "Being a part of a social network is good for you".
She goes on to say that these social networks offer benefits such as "resilience to greater life satisfaction to reducing the risk of health problems". 

This may be tough for some of us to swallow.  But as Nicholas Christakis, a Harvard Sociologist puts it, "In many ways, human beings behave like flocks of birds or schools of fish,".  What he means by this is that many people find "flock" together in groups with similar characteristics, such as body size, or beliefs or certain subjects.  They find a sense of belonging with other people who share these same beliefs, and are therefore more happy with their lifestyle and more accepting of the way they look. 

There are countless support groups available online today.  Whether it's support for depression, widows, alcoholism, etc.  You can find help with just about anything in todays web of social networks.

Daily Strength is a website dedicated to such online support groups, giving much needed help to those who need it most.

Another example is Racing for Recovery, a support group for substance abuse.  Youtube clip below:

These are just two of many support groups available.

Lets look at another benefit: Simlar Interests Offline

We must also consider the fact that many social networking sites give us communication opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to us offline.  Factors such as geographic location make it difficult for us to speak with someone face-to-face, but online contact with these people make it easy to keep in touch or find new opportunities. 

From personal experience, i've had the opportunity to make friends online that have benefitted me for my interests.  For example, this past fall I was able to go on a 8-day trip to Canada on an outdoor hunting adventure with guys from Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota.-- All of whom I met through social networking.

Below is a picture of us from the first day of our trip!

Many people can relate to my example, and the people that you meet through these networks may just form a long-lasting offline friendship.

Take advantage of the opportunities that these networks provide, I doubt you will be disappointed with your decision.