Why do you need to use social networks?

Did you know that Sarah Palin has not given an interview to the media in months?

It's true. She does not speak to reporters at all. Outside your comment seasons on Fox News, which has no direct contact with journalists in the press, radio or television? So how is that it constantly remains in the headlines? In a word: Twitter!

Palin let the world know what you think through Twitter feeds and comments on them through other social networks, such as your Facebook page. She is still mentioned as a possible presidential candidate and his name appears in the news almost every week.

Is there any better evidence that social networking is a fad?

But do not take my word, not even Palin's word for it. Just look at the statistics:

Twitter

* As of April, Twitter has gained 40 million users and a 62 percent increase in mobile use of the platform. (Source: ClickZ)
* There are now more than 175 million registered users of Twitter. It is unclear as to how many of these are regular, but the number of tweets per day has soared to 95 million - an increase of 250 percent. (Econsultancy)

LinkedIn

* LinkedIn has grown an impressive 100 percent over last year, now has over 100 million users worldwide. Interestingly, 56% of these users are from outside the U.S.. (Econsultancy)

Facebook

* In January 2010, the site had 350 million active users worldwide. It currently has more than 640 million - half of what journaling. Based on this figure, Facebook has seen a 40 percent increase in daily use in the last 12 months. (Econsultancy)
* People are sharing more content on Facebook now. On average, more than 7 billion pieces of content shared on the site weekly. This figure has increased since last year when it was 3.5 million. (Econsultancy)
* 75 percent of the brand "likes" on Facebook from advertising. (Mashable)
* More than 250 million people use Facebook Connect each month. (Facebook)

General

* The average Internet user to America watches 30 minutes of online video per day (comScore) compared with 5 hours of TV a day.
* The use of social networking site rose to 88 percent among Internet users aged 55 to 64 betwee
April 2009 and May 2010. (Pew Research)
* In 2009, the social players bought $ 2.2 billion on virtual goods, expected to rise to U.S. $ 6 million in 2013. (NPD Group).
* 22 percent of Fortune 500 companies already have a blog with the public that has at least one seat in the last 12 months. (ComScore)

From the statistics, a few major trends are clear:

* Companies are using social networks to expand their branding efforts.
* Real trade takes place through social networking sites.
* Social networks are no longer a trend. It is a fact of life for millions of Americans.

This means that the figure that the Americans are forced to do more with less. They have to survive on less money, more work in less time and care for their families, despite the growing demand to make money through more than one job. Social networks allow Americans to the news keep in touch with friends and promote their commercial interests.

I use social networking as a key way to reach my potential customers, as well as the marketing community who want to use my columns for its Web sites, invite me to their shows as a guest and even hired me as expert speakers - all of which leads to my business. As a communications professional, I would never dream of eliminating the social networks of my arsenal of disclosure. Every day it becomes more important and even helps to boost my income, so when I recommend social networks for my clients, not because I'm trying to follow all the publicity the media. I'm living every day and see how it helps my bottom line.

But this is probably the most compelling reason for you to plunge into the world of social networking. Based on statistics, your competitors are already using it.

Now, forgive me. I have to go out this work on my Twitter feed.