Social Networks = Business --Morgan

They provide validation. Once you have a membership group that has opted in to your profile, each of these individuals serves as a reference for your company. Better yet, they will forward your information to their friends and colleagues—and, pretty soon, you will have an entire network at your disposal, whenever you announce a new service or product.

They allow introverts to shine. Does someone in your company hate making phone calls, but is brilliant when it comes to sharing your strengths in an online setting? By participating in a social network, these individuals are allowed to shine, on their own terms. And, that is a win/win in my book.

There’s no lag time. By participating in social networks, you are able to engage people on a minute-by-minute basis regarding what is going on in your organization. You can hit them with current product offerings before the press release hits the news. And, due to its viral nature, your news will be forwarded to the people most interested in your company’s developments.

It creates communities of interest. Another interesting phenomenon about social networks is that people will sign up for your cause—and forward it to their colleagues, so they can get involved. Before you know it, people will not only be asking what you are doing, but how they can help you achieve your goals.

On the other hand, as with all things, there are negatives to consider when participating in social networks:

Draw the line. It is important to keep in mind what should and should not be shared. Many people fall into the trap of contributing too much personal information. I recommend creating a company policy that outlines what can and cannot be shared online, and ensuring that people are sticking to it.