The internet has revolutionized the way we meet new people, so much so nowadays with the development of numerous social networking sites. A typical social networking site is your old-fashioned dinner buffet or the sponsored event put up every weekend at the local club house.

In an article by Starr Hall, she pointed out the five misplaced social networking fears that plague many entrepreneurs who are already struggling to keep their businesses afloat during this recession.

Stuck in Traditional Networking Mode.

You have to be open to new ideas. Remember that the only permanent aspect in this world is change. But change is one thing a lot of people have difficulty in dealing with. Try out a new networking strategy one at a time. See if it works out for you. You can sign up for Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Participate in the site by joining groups and discussions related to your market. You don’t have to do everything all at once. Take it easy and learn. Facebook attracts both young and old alike. It has been said that the youth are moving away from Facebook because it is overrun with “old” people.

Too Many Choices/Too Overwhelming.

Again, don’t try to spread yourself too thinly over too many social networking sites. Do a quick search on the top social media sites and then try to go over these quickly to see if they fit your target audience. LinkedIn is a good site for professionals and entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Myspace largely has a younger generation of users so if you are not offering products or services into this age group then it would be a wise decision to opt out of signing up with the site.

Concerned Social Networking Is Not Effective.

Another cause of apprehension for home business owners hoping to make an online presence is the fact that they may just be wasting their time on these sites and the investment of time into may not be worth their while. Here’s the key to this, your online presence and the chances of generating leads from this will only be equal to the commitment you put into. By commitment, this means regularly updating your profile by adding posts, notes, joining groups in your niche, and participating in discussions. You certainly cannot expect new people to be interested if your profile has been inactive for months.

Fear of Doing Something Wrong Online.

The online community can be quite unpredictable; you may just make a mistake. But look at it positively; making a mistake can be an opportunity for learning. If you did something wrong, apologize if necessary; let it be known that you are new to the site and still unfamiliar to its “culture”. You will discover that people are more than willing to help you out, and don’t forget to thank them when they do.

Lack of Privacy Online.

This is a valid concern, however don’t fret. Most social networking sites have privacy settings which you can alter to suit your needs. Also, it is important to read privacy settings and lay them down so as not to restrict possible clients and contacts. If you have a bad feeling about someone who wished to connect with you, after a quick check on his or her profile, then by all means, decline the request.

Social networking is an effective way to meet potential clients however it can only be useful as a marketing strategy in proportion to the amount of time and effort you put into it. But still, this option is one very well worth exploring.