Myth #1: 

Even though the 25-34 year old population on Facebook is doubling every 6 months,  the largest growing demographic is the 35-54 year old age group.  A recent report stated that this group had a 276.4% growth rate.  It doesn’t stop there.  The 55+ group is not far behind with a 194.3% growth rate every six months.  As of today, Facebook claims to have doubled its users to 300 million in less than one year.  Half of them log on every day.  Sorry folks, it’s here to stay.

Myth #2: I can make quick money by using Social Networking

When it comes to Social Networking, the more you contribute, participate or engage you will learn that it really is about sharing and giving to others.  It is not just a forum to sell, sell, sell.  You have to express genuine interest in others and see how you can help them.  You are hopefully building lasting relationships that down the road will pay off in business.  The only thing quick about it is that you can be exposed to more individuals from the comfort of your home or office without pounding the pavement in the traditional sense.

Myth #3: The more “Followers” or “Friends” I have means I’ll be more successful.

It’s all about quality not quantity.  We’ve all experienced the buzz of making new friends quickly when you are young.  You might connect with someone and feel that you’ll be friends for life.  What happens?  That great person that you met at the party and promised to keep in touch with is never heard from again.  So goes the road of social networking.  It may be easy to acquire “Friends” or “Followers” but unless these relationships are nurtured they won’t be real.  Having a large # on your list doesn’t mean you have anything to offer them or that they contribute to your personal growth and success.  If you don’t stay in contact with your on-line friends, they are just another name on a list.  Choose wisely. 

Myth #4: Social Networking is a lot of work and is a waste of time

It’s almost like saying that a carpenter’s hammer is a waste of time.  It’s just a tool.  When used properly it gets the job done well.  Social Networking is only a waste of time if you allow it to be.  The initial set up takes some time but even if you feel you aren’t tech savvy enough to get started, applications like LinkedIn and Facebook are designed just for you.  With a profile photo and a simple bio you can get started today.

New ideas hurt some minds the same as new shoes hurt some feet – What kind of shoes have you been trying on lately?

Do you Tweet on Twitter?
Is your Face on Facebook?
Are you Linking on LinkedIn?
What in the World is a Webinar?

All of these new tools and ideas for business can seem a bit like a new pair of shoes.  Everyone’s buying them, they look great on other people, you might even already have a pair but when you put them on for size they just don’t feel so right.  Not yet anyway. 

You have the tools at your disposal, but are you taking advantage of all of the things they can do for you?  To get more comfortable in these new shoes or methods of marketing your business you just need to close the gap between the known and the unknown. It’s much easier than it sounds. 

Why are we here?
Before we learn how to use these tools we need to grasp why we do it.  You may say “I have no interest in tweeting on Twitter”.  That may very well be true but do you want to get noticed? get free PR? further your business and keep connected with your new and old contacts?  Of course you do. Then maybe you really do want to Tweet on Twitter since that is one of the new tools of business. Using these social networking sites doesn’t guarantee the success of your business but once you know why you should do it, then you should learn how.

Learning – What does it mean anyway?
It has been said that learning is the creation of a relationship between two things.  The two key factors are the known and the unknown.  Sometimes that may feel like putting on a new pair of shoes.  But as we all know, once you’ve broken them in, you wear them with ease.  They actually feel good! 

Why Rapid Learning?
As the world is rapidly changing our methods of learning need to change.  If we don’t adjust how we learn and how quickly we adapt, we will be left behind.

Ask for Help!
Just as you are willing to help others and refer new ideas and services to your friends and collegues, there are a host of people waiting to do the same for you.  But if you don’t ask for help, how will they ever know what you need.  Ask our SpeakCorp members.  Through each member profile you can access our group of experts waiting to help advance your business.

With a few quick tips from eHOW, set up your accounts today on: 

1. Twitter 
2. Facebook
3. LinkedIn

Once you try on these new shoes and break them in you’ll gain confidence as technology contiues to change.  The next pair may not hurt so much.