It was bound to happen. Despite the Internet implosion in 2000, the online user population continues to grow not just in the U.S., but globally. Once it reached a critical mass, the natural evolution of this growing population was for its members to break into “communities” with common backgrounds, interests, and/or needs. Welcome to web 2.0!
What is Web 2.0?
For those who are wondering what happened to web 1.0, it might be helpful to reflect on just how far we have come. In the 1990’s, the web simply took information that was available offline and put it online. In 2000, the web became commercial and introduced ways to bring consumers and merchants together. But in 2005, the Internet entered its networking phase to enhance social interaction. The technology to create and maintain these relationships and to facilitate conversations between its users is what is called web 2.0.
Not Just For Kids
So what does this mean for you? If you thought this social networking phase was only for your children or grandchildren, be advised this train has left the station and people from all generations are on board! Research conducted in 2006 by ComScore and MediaMetrix indicates that over 56% of the total U.S. social media user base is 35 or older. What is even more shocking is that over 50% of the 96 million visitors to myspace.com, one of the original and largest social networking sites, are baby boomers who are using social networks to generate business opportunities.
Using Social Networking to Improve Your Net Worth
In 1973, Mark Granovetter published research on the important concept I preach in my networking programs: it is not so important who you know, but who they know. Social networks help facilitate reaching people who are loosely connected to you in a very low risk environment. All of the social networks out there, and new ones come online daily, provide a way to uncover your six degrees of separation, helping you discover you are probably less than six people away from any resource, person, or information you are seeking. The other real benefit of online communities is the opportunity you have to improve your value and net worth simply through your access and influence to a global network.
It’s All About the Power of Community
On the popular business-focused social network linkedin.com (over 19 million members!), I recently saw a question posted under the Answers section of the site. The user wanted to know if someone had the correct mailing address for Al Gore. Within one hour of that post, the user had four responses from people around the world whom he had never met, who not only provided the address but gave him the phone number and email for Al Gore’s gatekeeper, as well as advice on how to approach him. Talk about improving you’re A & I factor (Access & Influence)!
Getting Started
There are social network sites debuting daily, so the opportunities to join one are endless. Chances are, there is a message in your inbox from someone you know inviting you to join one now. My advice is to do your homework and select the one or two sites that will provide the best return on your time investment. Like any network, you will get out of it what you put into it.
All of the sites give you an opportunity to create a profile and post it for people to view and assess where they might have a connection with you. You can always decide if you want to connect with someone or not. Once you accept someone as a “friend” or “connection,” then you can see who they know that you need to know.
Changing the World, One Connection at a Time
Social networks make it easy to expand your network globally in ways that traditional forms of people-to-people networking cannot. However, in the end, how you reach out and give to a new contact you’ve made in Singapore will determine the outcome of that new connection. Just like face-to-face networking, people will want to network with you online if you look for ways to be a resource to them. When you approach your social network with a giving spirit and let serendipity work its magic, everyone wins!
