First off, let me tell you what social networking isn’t, it isn’t a quick fix, sure fire way for you or your web site to suddenly become the next "big thing", it isn’t for teenagers and the 20-somethings and it isn’t as addictive as some would have you believe!

OK, so what is it all about then?  Well, in its simplest terms, irrespective of what site you are actually using, a social networking site is a web site that brings users together for a common cause, be that discussing "friends" or learning a foreign language.  Businesses can use social networking sites to interact with their existing customers, to develop new customers or to seek advice and assistance from "gurus" in a whole gamut of skills such as marketing, software development, creativity, anything and everything in fact.

There are literally thousands of social networking sites, the most widely known and used probably being:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ - Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.

Bebo - http://www.bebo.com/ - Bebo is the next generation social networking service where members can stay in touch with their College friends, connect with friends, share photos, discover new interests and just hang out.

Twitter - http://twitter.com/ - Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?