You may have heard of social networking.
You know a lot of people are using it, including businesses, and you'd like to give it a shot. You just don't know where to start.
That's why we at NAHB have created this how-to section on social networking. We explain what social networking is, where you should start and how you can begin.
In two short steps, we'll answer your questions and have you signed up for your first social network. Once you create a social networking account, don't forget to connect with NAHB inside the social network of your choice. Links to how you can connect with us on Twitter and Facebook
can be found on this page. You can see NAHB videos
at NAHB TV on YouTube.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about social networking,
visit this page.
The Basics
Social networking is an online version of the networking and socializing you do in real life. From neighborhood barbecues to Rotary Club meetings, you've met and connected with various people throughout your life. What social networking does is take that kind of socializing and networking, and place it on the Internet.
You can use social networking to stay in touch with people you already know, like family members, to meet people you'd like to know, like business contacts, or even to sell homes.
A social network is essentially a Web site that lets people, like yourself, create an account and then connect with other people who have themselves created an account for that same network, or Web site. For example, if I create an account on Network A, and you create an account on Network A, we can both connect to each other. However, if I do not create an account on Network A, but you do create an account on Network A, then you cannot connect with me using that network until I create my account.
The ways in which people can connect with each other using social networks varies, but essentially it involves becoming friends, or contacts, of one another.
When two people are friends of each other, they are then able to send each other messages, show each other photos and videos, and stay up-to-date on what the other person is doing. For example, if we are connected on a social network and I go on vacation, I can post a message to my account telling you that I'm on vacation. I can also show you photos as my vacation unfolds, instead of waiting until I'm back from my trip. In order to do this, though, we have to be connected in our social network of choice.
Ingredients of a Social Network
Most social networks include two main features you will use.
One is your profile. This is a Web page others will see that will let them know who you are. The profile is where you decide what information you want to share with other people. Think of a profile as your own personal storefront on the Web. Most social networks let you include a photo of yourself, if you'd like, in your profile, as well as information about where you're located, what hobbies you have, and more.
The second feature is your home page. This is typically the screen you will see after you log into your social network. A home page generally shows you what your friends, or contacts, have been doing, and it also displays the tools you can use while logged into the social network. For example, if you want to send a message to one of your contacts, you can usually do this from your home page. The same can be said for if you want to edit your profile or add a new contact.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about social networking,
visit this page.
