With the advent of Web 2.0, there's been a literal explosion of 'Social Networks,' with many of them finding a specific applications for cultivating potential business.

What do you think of when you here the term "Social Network?"

Wikipedia defines them as follows:

A social network service uses software to build online social networks for communities of people who share interests and activities or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.

Most services are primarily web based and provide a collection of various ways for users to interact, such as chat, messaging, email, video, voice chat, file sharing, blogging, discussion groups, and so on. Social networking has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information with one another in today's society. Various social networking websites are being used by millions of people everyday on a regular basis and it now seems that social networking is a part of everyday life (to access a current list of the most notable & popular social networks, go HERE).

Most of us are familiar with the highly popular network, MySpace. I joined at the prompting of my kids, and have used it mainly to discover new bands and musicians. In spite of the incessant invites by scantily clad bimbos and web-cam hotties, I know of many people who use it to make legitimate contacts for business, and to gain added Internet exposure.

There's been an ongoing debate here as to whether or not ActiveRain should be considered as a 'social' network. For many of the hardcore real estate purists, I know they would like nothing more than this platform to contain real estate 'only' related articles and information. No recipes. No jokes. No human interest stories. No pet pictures. 

"All Real Estate. All the Time!"  

I think for some people, there is a negative connotation or misunderstanding associated with social networks in general, and a fear that ActiveRain will eventually regress into some form of a real estate "MySpace."

Well, like it or not, ActiveRain IS a social network. We don't operate in a vacuum. We don't live in some remote monastic cave retreat. We are, after all, by nature, social beings. We are wired to interact with other humans - to communicate, and develop interpersonal relationships.

Yes, ActiveRain is a social network. But it's much, much more. In addition to developing meaningful friendships here, there are obvious opportunities for us to increase/improve both our business and our level of professional knowledge/expertise. Thus, ActiveRain clearly distinguishes itself from many of the other social networks by not only offering us a place to enjoy meaningful relationships, but to also experience the value of enhanced business that positively impacts our bottom line.

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I don't know about you, but I find it increasingly more and more difficult to weed through all the social networking platforms that seem to pop up everyday. It seems like my mailbox is constantly filled with invites to join some new start-up. I typically end up joining most of them, if for no other purpose than to fill out a basic profile. But I sometimes wonder, what's the value? Seriously, who has the time to invest in participating in every network that comes along? Which ones truly offer value to my life and business?

ANNOUNCING - "SOCIAL NETWORK REVIEW"

Well, in an effort to help other members save a little time from having to navigate the endless array of networks, I thought it would be beneficial to begin posting a series of reviews/critiques on many of the popular and emerging social networks across the Internet. And in particular, to determine whether these networks are worth our time investment, and can bring value to our business. 

Have a social network you've encountered recently? Send me a link and I'll add it to my list. Whenever I publish a review/critique, I will post it to a newly formed group, Social Networks.