Yes, you have a web site for your brick and mortar business. You really don't know what the big deal is about Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Squidoo and HubPages. Can they really help you grow your business like the consultant said? Do you need to get involved in a social network or networks? What if you don't? Why is it that every employee that works for and with you is always pressing those little buttons on their cell phone! Well, let me tell you!

First of all, just about everyone is online these days, online "real-time." It is the way of the world. We are now a global community, have been for a while, bet you missed that didn't you. Do you have kids? Let me ask you, ever notice them on their phones and "puters", it's called My Space - I call it the mother of today's social networks for business. Your kids grew up and guess what, they will continue to do what they did in school - communicate via the SN's!

Here we are in 2009 faced with 'getting the word out" in new and wonderful ways.

People now can communicate with each other across the room, city or the world in real time - click, click, click or drag and drop. Thank you BlackBerry and Apple I-Phone! Darn, I hate my BB Storm, at least the new REV is coming out any day now, maybe the phone will stop freezing up on me or dialing several 5's when I only want one. Sorry to get off track.

Online social networks can and will enhance your offline business if you "work" them well. Follow my thinking here. Let's take a look at some of the "elite" members of these social networks. They "follow" and "are followed" by 10, 20, 50, 150 thousand people! Consider the power they have if each member of their network interacted with another multi-thousand group, and on and on; it's the sales 101 numbers game, 21st century version.

Twitter limits communication to 140 characters, yes you can cheat and shorten links and there are other ways to sqeeze out a little more but for the most part, a "Tweet" is a short, fast, crisp communication bite. Time is everything, get the word out, do it fast, and move on. "lather, rinse and repeat" 100's of times a day. These "elite" people along with their 1,000's of minions are the new thought leaders of the 21st century. Put them at the head of a company and they can influence thought and attitude all the way down to the "viral" level. What does that mean? Viral means the same thing as grass roots, word of mouth, I-phone to I-phone, etc. These tech-smart leaders are capable of getting the word out, working at all levels in the organization, developing consensus and make things happen!

I challenge you to go out and learn about the differences in the "first tier" networks. I'll make it easy on you, first learn about FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Next understand how Squidoo and HubPages can be a benefit. Then, as a graduate course, get to know MySpace (ask your kids), Flickr, Digg and Stumbleupon. Here is great book to start your learning with, Social Influence Marketing For Dummies, http://tinyurl.com/nu9fjc.

I offer several E-Books about Twitter, Squidoo and HubPages. It's 101 stuff but it worked for me. Quite honestly, none of the reports are expensive and one is even free. They are crisp, easy reading and they hit home with what you need to know to "get with the program."

Please feel free to contact me at:
Twitter - http://twitter.com/twittblogger
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/leswannall

Check out my books and other web sites at:
Twitterblogger - http://twitterblogger.net

Best Regards for a Great Future! Start Today, It is Never Too Late.