Looking Back: Top 10 Software Stories - Social Networking

Social Networking

2009 saw users motivated by more than vanity when using Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Businesses began to harness the power of social networking internally and externally to build brand, increase awareness and share information that drove revenue. Many businesses established hard and fast rules for employee usage of social networking while also trying to capitalize on the widespread adoption and potential prospect audience. Business-focused networking sites like LinkedIn also made an impact. The millions of unemployed looked to LinkedIn as an avenue to a potential job. Others tapped business networking sites to spread the word about news and gains. Twitter adoption grew exponentially over 2009. Business used it to communicate breaking news while Iranian protesters communicated stories of oppression to the world. In 2010, expect to learn some lessons about social networking. As usage evolves, businesses begin to tailor and refine the use of social networking communities and engines for revenue benefit with the help of newly formed social networking marketing firms.