I am a firm believer in a balanced marketing approach. Allocate the largest time to the activities that have been proven to achieve the best results. A smaller percentage of your time should be spent on exploring new websites and social networking. Even if it is only 10 minutes a day social networking has an important function.

Social networking sites provide a platform for us to expand our Internet footprint. Social networking helps strengthen your online profile and can be used to build inbound links. Any time you create a profile with a link to your primary website it is a score and we must use those opportunities to our advantage. There is absolutely a search engine benefit.

Another important aspect of social networking is the ability to the deepen our online business relationships both clients and associates. Use social networking to establish and develop a national network. These relationships will grow over time and many opportunities can develop. While blogging is a great way to engage people and develop rapport, social networks can take it to another level.

I enjoy the socializing aspect of networking, it is fun. There are so many occasions when I been inspired, educated, or entertained by a social networking friend.  I have also been fortunate that social networking friends have supported my blogs and websites. Other active bloggers and marketers have a lot of potential to improve visibility to a website or blog post by flagging it or promoting it in their internet activities. Websites like Digg, StumbleUpon, Bumpzee, MyBlogLog, Twitter, and Plurk can drive substantial traffic and our networks carry substantial juicing potential.

Conclusion

It is very easy to waste time and burn hours surfing the Internet if you aren’t focused on a goal. Your goals and marketing plan should always be in sight when you invest time in your business online. We all need to be not only efficient in our time use but open-minded to all areas of opportunity.

Photo credit: luc legay