What are social networking sites and why do we use them? Apart from socializing with friends and family, many internet marketers are now realizing that social networking site are a definite place to promote their business.

There are several social networking sites around the internet where you can advertise and potential get more customers. Whatever social networking site you are thinking of using, always check their terms of service. Some allow more links than other and if you breach their terms, they can shut you down.

Today I am only going to talk about five sites.

1.Facebook – Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites and there are millions of members from all over the world. Facebook allows you to have a fan page where you can advertise your service or product. Recently Facebook changed its rules regarding fan pages. You must now have a URL with a SSL certificate and a dedicated IP. Face book has one feature called a “like” button that allows you basically to vote for an article, photo or fan page. Facebook allows you to search for people who are in the same or similar niche and you can send them a friend request.

You can also set up groups on Facebook. You can have groups for your business associates and another for family and friends. You can create as many groups as you need.

To be successful on Facebook, you have to get to know people on a personal and social level before you can promote offers to them.

Facebook also allows paid advertising and their advertising PPC is a lot less than other providers.

2. Twitter – Twitter is a micro blogging site because you only have 140 characters to get your message out there. These messages are known as “tweets.” It is a site where you can “follow” people who have a similar interest as yourself as well as friends and family. When you start following someone there is the possibility that they will follow you in return.

When ever you type a message or “tweet” on Twitter, all of your followers will receive the message. If it is used to its best advantage, Twitter can be a powerful tool. Again if you really want to be success with Twitter, you have to foster a relationship with your followers.

3. Squidoo – Squidoo is another very popular social networking site and it is very popular with search engines especially Google. When you go to Squidoo, you create “lenses” where you share written information and photographs. You can create lenses especially targeted for your business and this can result in a lot of targeted traffic arriving on your website.

On Squidoo you are able to promote affiliate products although you have to be careful not to overdo it and abuse the system. If you write your lenses in a subtle way and offer something of quality, then you will find that Squidoo can be a very effective social marketing place.

4. Hubpages – Hubpages is another site that is similar to Squidoo.  Instead of “lenses” you create a “hub.”  As long as you create good quality content and share valuable information, you can get good traffic from Hubpages. You can create backlinks that will drive the traffic to your site.

5. Tumblr – Tumblr is very similar to a blog site. You can create and post information on a regular basis with other members of the Tumblr community. Tumblr allows the use of video and audio and like Twitter, you can follow other members and they in turn can follow you. The more people you follow lets you create a larger customer base.

Do you know which social networking site you should use? There are a lot more that the ones I have described above. What you have to decide, which one is best for you to promote your business.

You may even prefer to use YouTube, LinkedIn or Stumbleupon. It is your choice but remember that the more social networking sites where you are a member, the more exposure you get and you will have more customers that could buy your products.

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