What is Social Networking?
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What is Social Networking?

River Plate is bringing you this series of pages on the theme of social networking websites as a service to our customers, the business owner. We understand that the more information that is made available to businesses to market using the most current technologies and avenues the better chance they have of being successful. The services we provide (Pick and Pack in Southern California, Nationwide Trucking, and fulfillment in California...to name a few) could not be done without our loyal customers. It is because of them that River Plate continues to grow year after year. Our goal is 100% satisfaction on the work and service we provide to all of our customers. Providing information to help businesses thrive is one way we deliver.

What is Social Networking / Social Networking Defined

Simply defined by wikipedia.org, social networking is "a social structure which, in general, facilitates communication between a group of individuals or organizations, that are related by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as: a special or common interest; shared values; visions, ideas, or perhaps ideals; financial exchange, friendship, kinship, dislike, conflict or trade."

A site that dedicates its URL to this question, describes social networking as "the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision."

Although it is possible to build your social network in schools, workplaces, communities, and other places where actual person-to-person interaction take place, the Internet has taken social networking to a higher level of communication where people can interconnect with each other virtually but in real time. This type of viral influence has greatly enhanced social networking benefits.

To many, social networking does not necessarily mean “networking” per se, but rather communicating with people who are already part of that social community. Economist.com pitched that online social networking will become a ubiquitous part of the human race. Because of the plethora of SNSs today and the acceptance of Internet users for it, online social networking to many has become part of their everyday lives.

What is Social Networking / A Brief History

Danah Boyd and Nicole Ellison discussed how online social networking emerged in their paper titled Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. According to the research, SixDegrees.com was the first recognizable social networking site that was launched way back in 1997 and lasted until 2001. The web site allowed its users to create their profiles and list their friends, acquaintances, family, and relatives both on the site and externally. “Profiles existed on most major dating sites and many community sites. AIM and ICQ buddy lists supported lists of Friends, although those Friends were not visible to others,” Boyd and Ellison further added.

What is Social Networking / For Fun & Profit

Classmates.com, although it was first to be introduced than Sixdegrees.com in 1995, it did not gain so much popularity because unlike Six Degrees, members could not create their profile or list friends until years later.

AsianAvenue.com, BlackPlanet.com, MiGente.com which is owned by Community Connect, allowed its users to create personal, dating and professional profiles and has a feature where members could identify their friends without seeking approval for those connections.

Asian Avenue, launched in July 21, 1997 specifically caters the Asian American community. Black Planet, on the other hand, focuses on the African American market. MiGente targets the Hispanic community.

Following the height of social networking web sites was the surfacing of several SNSs that are still popular today - Circle of Friends, LiveJournal, Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, etc.

What is Social Networking / A Worldwide Phenomenon

People mostly prefer communicating through social networking websites than using their e-mails to connect to other people. Why not? With the applications, tools and features that a SNS offers, you can easily ditch your old boring e-mail.

As social networking sites hit the mainstream, not only individual users benefit from its success. Business owners and companies also realize that with online social networks, they could easily target their [niche] market and reach out to a variety of consumers.

As News.com pointed out, "the use of social networking makes it possible for professionals to connect with their peers anytime, anywhere. In connection to this, they could [easily] market their way in advertising their product, service, company, or even just an idea."

While the recognition for social networking has skyrocketed for the past years, there are still companies that overlook the power of Internet viral marketing through these new social networking sites. Leveraging the use of online social networks to generate marketing to your business can set you in a competitive advantage. It’s just a matter of planning and how you apply it effectively.

This page on social networking is brought to you by Riverplate, a leading fulfillment house in Chatsworth, California. Our hope is to provide you with the best service you have ever experienced.

Thank you for visiting the what is social networking page. As a strong supporter of delivering what our customers need, River Plate is happy to support all of your fulfillment and trucking needs. Please think of us for your shrinkwrap, warehousing, trucking, shipping and all your other order fulfillment needs. This leading southern California Fulfillment and Trucking Facility serves all over the country and some international destinations. These are just a few of the locations your San Fernando Valley Fulfillment House, River Plate serves:

Chatsworth, Bell Gardens, Malibu, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Adelanto, Antelope Valley, Beverly Hills, Beaumont, Northridge, Bellflower, Anaheim, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Palm Springs, Orange, Baldwin Park, Banning, Barstow, Lakewood, Loma Linda, Lucerne Valley, Monrovia, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Long Beach, Lompoc, Burbank, Coronado, Blythe, Covina, Costa Mesa, Corona, Compton, Commerce, Colton, Coachella, Claremont, Chula Vista, Chino, Cerritos, Carlsbad....and many more.