Social Networks = Trendy or E-Business shift?

For me, social networks were a trend years ago but, now, as they are more and more used, thanks to Internet web 2.0, they can be considered as a real e-business shift with wide opportunities.

Key elements of social networks:
- virtual communities
- key element of the Internet Web 2.0
- Members are here to exchange, to share information about specific subjects
- They are linked by a common and central subject (ex.: passion for the Beatles, shopping, travels, etc.)

Social networks can be organized around personal or business connections. Most of the social networks on the internet are public, allowing anyone to join. Organizations, such as large companies, also have access to private social networking applications.

Communities are a good segment because you know easily their “motivation”.

I think the same:
It was a trend, only few people were using it, young or innovative people, it was reserved for small community of people; and now as it exists “success stories”, it’s becoming a real e-business shift. Even big companies like Sheraton hotels use it. It’s part of their marketing model.

You see that you can sell everything: you can even commercialize relationships!

The term community is very important today in business. Thanks to globalization and the Internet you can’t segment your customers as yesterday. You have take in consideration the community you target. We don’t talk anymore about ages, social categories, sex, etc., but really about very different people that are linked by a specific subject.

With Internet Web 2.0, e-business have risen another dimension, and it’s going to last.