Social Networks

A social network service focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities.here are some advantages of social networking;

1.Personal Touch
Social networks allow organizations to reach out to select groups or individuals and to target them personally. Businesses can encourage their customers to become connections or friends, offering special discounts that would be exclusive to online contacts. This personal touch is not only appreciated but may give the business access to that customer’s own network of contacts.

2. Low-Cost Marketing
Once social networks have become established and people become familiar with the brand, businesses can use the sites or applications to implement marketing campaigns, announce special offers, make important announcements and direct interested people to the specific Web sites. It is mostly free advertising, and the only cost to the business is the time and effort required to maintain the network and the official Web site.

3.Lower Costs

It is significantly cheaper to employ online social networking strategies than to pay for advertising. When you social network, you can prescreen potential customers. You learn what your prospects like and what they don't. That personal relationship you gain when you connect with your potential customer is more valuable than what you would get had you advertised. Advertising is impersonal: the "one size fits all" concept does not seem to work anymore.

4.Credibility and Trust
Connecting with prospects on a personal level builds trust and credibility. A general rule of thumb is to offer your services, expertise or help before you ask for it. It is acceptable to promote your services when asked. If you're not careful, your attempts could be considered spam. Instead, wait for the opportunities to present themselves instead of forcing a situation.

Disadvantages/problems with social networks

Most teens sign up for many social networks and may end up expiriencing some of this:

1. Cyber-bullying and harassment are most often perpetrated by other teens and tend to happen most to older girls and to teens of either gender who have a strong online presence. It may take several forms:
   publicizing private instant messages, text messages or e-mails
   posting threatening messages
   posting photos that will cause embarrassment
   spreading rumors


2. invasion of privacy


3. potential to lure child predators and other criminals


4. wasting time (often why schools/governments block access)


5. Scams and Harassment
   There is a potential for failure of security in both personal and business context. While many sites apply certain measures to keep any of these cases of harassment, cyber-stalking, online scams, and identity theft to an absolute minimum, you still may never know.

sources:http://thetechedition.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-social-networking-sites/

http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/