Social media in the form of free social networks and online social bookmarking are more popular now than ever. It can be a little tricky, however, when it comes to knowing which to choose. That’s where social media reviews come in. When you read the reviews, though, you may find vastly different assessments about their content. Some might defend their particular choices tooth and claw. That might be because they were ignorant of the options, so they got hooked on one site without really knowing what’s out there. Many who are adamant about defending one site aren’t aware of the variations online business networking sites, social bookmarking sites or sites that offer online social networking just for fun. Many people don’t know that there also are social media sites, like Yuwie, that pay for people to use and promote them.

Many people aren’t aware of the distinction between social networks because the features and uses overlap. For example, HubPages can be used for business or pleasure. Thousands of user-created free networking communities have sprung up all over the Internet, such as New Energy Network. These sites are really where the rubber hits the road when it comes to online social networks because they’re completely user-driven and allow focused conversations surrounding people’s interests. Communities focused on niches, such as book readers, abound. Online social networking websites , like Shelfari have book reviews and other features created just for people who love to read. Another powerful form of online networking is social bookmarking, which has become very popular. Social bookmarking sites like Mister Wong allow people to save their favorite bookmarks so they can access them online any time. This platform type is also great for people who conduct searches, because tagging is allowed This ability also makes these sites powerful for Internet marketers, because they can get backlinks for their Web properties. The individual links aren’t that meaningful but in aggregate, they matter. Also, like with Mixx, if a blog post is entered on one of these sites, top search engine rankings can be had for that page if it has good keyword tags and was submitted properly.

The boundaries are made even more murky with sites like Digg, which are set up for both social networking and social bookmarking. They are quite useful for bookmarking URLs but they also provide a powerful platform for online social networking and marketing. Many new business contacts and friends are just waiting to be found on these platforms and blog posts featured on these online social networking sites have the potential to rank well in Google and other search engines. This makes these type of sites genuine gold to Internet marketers.

Sites that feature online social networks and online bookmarking have grown in popularity in the last five years. Yet, it’s difficult to determine which is right for you because it would be hard to try all of them. That’s where social media reviews come in. When you read the reviews, though, you may find that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many folks defend their choice of online social networking sites vehemently. That might be because they were ignorant of the options, so they got hooked on one site without really knowing what’s out there. I’ve known a few who fought for their choice without even knowing the difference between business networking websites, social bookmarking sites or sites that offer online social networking just for fun. Even some avid social media users don’t know that there are also social media platforms, like Yuwie, that use small amounts of money per click to pay for people to use and promote their sites.

Many people aren’t aware of the distinction between social networks because there is a tremendous amount of overlap of features on the various sites. For example, Facebook can be used for business or pleasure. Thousands of user-created free Ning networking communities have sprung up all over the Internet, such as Paper Craft Planet. These social network sites are important due to their emphasis on people’s niche interests. And speaking of niches, book readers now have plenty of places to hang out online. Online social networking websites , like GoodReads have book reviews and other features created just for people who love to read. Another powerful form of online social networking sites is online social bookmarking, which has become a standard for people who work and play on the Web. Sites that feature social bookmarking, such as del.icio.us, allow logged-in users to save their online bookmarks for free. Social bookmarking sites also are a great help to Web searchers, because tagging is allowed The ability to use keyword tagging also is of value to Web marketers, because backlinks result from the use of bookmarks. A single social bookmarking link isn’t that valuable but when there are many of them, search traffic often increases. As with Mixx, when a link is posted on these web properties, it can often achieve high search engine rankings if the keywords were researched and the listing was entered correctly.

The boundaries are made even more murky with sites like Mixx, which are set up for both social networking and social bookmarking. They are quite useful for bookmarking URLs but they also provide a powerful platform for online social networking and marketing. Many new business contacts and friends are just waiting to be found on these platforms and blog posts featured on these social networking sites have the potential to rank well in Google and other search engines. Tremendous benefits such as these are the reason people who make their livings online love online social media sites.

One of the top business networking trainers is an entrepeneur named Jon Berghoff. Jon is founder of Global Empowerment Coaching and has a history of teaching leadership, creating sales, and causing entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence,’ which gives you control over yourself, your customers, and the world in general. Jon Berghoff is speaker and bestselling author of the “Cutting Edge Sales Book.”

This entry is a response to a question that came in from Mike in Fredericksburg, VA, after listening to the telephone seminar, “Becoming Wealthy During Turbulent Economic Times”. To hear the teleseminar, go to www.geconnection.com/turbulance.html.

To receive the FREE gifts that are listed during the teleseminar, go to www.geconnection.com/testimonial.

How can I use your tool of “farming” to breakthrough my current plateau of sales in my job?

“I really learned a lot from your perspective on hunting vs. farming as a way of attracting new prospects and customers. I’m really stuck though because I always have believed in the concept of giving value first, asking for business second, yet my annual sales revenue has hit a plateau and I can’t seem to break through to the next level. My question is, how can I use this “universal” or “spiritual” principle to really break through with my sales, not just to feel good about what I’m doing?”

Mike B. CPA, Fredericksburg, VA

ANSWER: Jon Berghoff

Mike, you are right on in searching for a way to use this spiritual principle to expand your business.

Most critical is understanding that it takes creativity, proactive effort, and old-fashioned hard work to provide value for other people. It can’t simply be a feeling or an attitude. The emotion, or attitude is required, but only useful when backed up with action. You might remember in the teleseminar that I mentioned the importance of behaviors, not just thinking, to increase results.

I would ask you this question:

What are some ways that you could be adding value that are easy to do, that you have allowed to become easy not to do?

This is a good starting place. If this triggers anything, than put it to work. You might take the three areas from the call: distributing information, problem solving, and gift giving, and ask yourself; what are the fastest, easiest ways you could apply these lessons. I use the words “fast” and “easy” because most people over-complicate the process of farming (giving value first, asking for business second).

It might be as little as making sure your assistant answers each phone call in a positive and uplifting way, vs. an unmonitored non-emotion-inducing approach.

It could be the difference between sending out a packet of complimentary, valuable info to your prospects before you meet them for a sales presentation, so they are conditioned from the start to see you as an authority or expert.

Maybe it means hosting a teleseminar for everybody in your sphere of influence, teaching them 4-7 ways to save money during tax season, or the 5 most common mistakes made by others in their field.

One of the master business networking trainers is a business leader named Jon Berghoff. Jon is founder of Global Empowerment Coaching and has a history of teaching leadership, creating sales, and causing entrepreneurial success through ‘harmonic influence,’ which gives you control over yourself, your business, and the world in general. Jon Berghoff is speaker and bestselling author of the “Cutting Edge Sales Book.”

This post is a response to a question that came in from Mike in Fredericksburg, VA, after listening to the telephone seminar, “Becoming Wealthy During Turbulent Economic Times”. To listen to the replay, go to www.geconnection.com/turbulance.html.

To claim the FREE gifts that are listed during the teleseminar, go to www.geconnection.com/testimonial.

How can I use your technique of “farming” to breakthrough my current plateau of sales in my business?

“I really got a lot out of your perspective on hunting vs. farming as a way of attracting new prospects and business. I’m really stuck though because I always have believed in the concept of giving value first, asking for business second, yet my annual sales revenue has stagnated and I can’t seem to break through to the next level. My question is, how can I use this “universal” or “spiritual” principle to really break through with my sales, not just to feel good about what I’m doing?”

Mike B. CPA, Fredericksburg, VA

ANSWER: Jon Berghoff

Mike, you are right on in searching for a way to use this spiritual principle to increase your business.

Most critical is knowing that it takes creativity, proactive effort, and old-fashioned hard work to provide value for others. It can’t simply be a feeling or an attitude. The emotion, or attitude is required, but only effective when backed up with action. You might remember in the teleseminar that I mentioned the importance of behaviors, not just thinking, to improve results.

I would pose this question:

What are some ways that you could be adding value that are easy to do, that you have allowed to become easy not to do?

This is a good starting place. If this triggers anything, than put it to work. You might take the three areas from the call: distributing information, gift giving, and problem solving, and ask yourself; what are the easiest, fastest ways you could apply these tips. I use the words “fast” and “easy” because most people over-complicate the process of farming (giving value first, asking for business second).

It might be as little as making sure your assistant answers every phone call in a positive and uplifting way, vs. an unmonitored non-emotion-inducing approach.

It could be the difference between sending out a packet of complimentary, applicable information to your prospects before you meet them for a sales presentation, so they are trained from the start to see you as an authority or expert.

Maybe it means hosting a telephone conference call for everyone in your sphere of influence, teaching them 4-7 ways to save money during tax season, or the 5 most common mistakes made by others in their field.