A Quick Guide to Social Media

Ali Rosenberger

Twitter: Users start by creating a free account by completing a profile, including uploading a picture. Users can even link their account to a cell phone, which allows the user to receive and send messages to and from others no matter where they are. An update that is sent to friends is called a “tweet." These tweets are limited to 140 characters, and are on the same level as Facebook’s “status updates”.

Facebook: Another free social networking site that allows users to keep in touch with people they know, or make “friends” by searching the database. Users can upload photos, information about themselves, join groups with other members, and even download applications and games. Facebook has also recently added Facebook Chat, which is an instant messaging service accessed through the site.

LinkedIn: Also free to join, LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. Much like Facebook, LinkedIn allows users to keep in touch with old acquaintances, and also make useful business connections. Users create a profile based around their professional background with information like schools attended, previous employers, and current employment. It can then be used to find jobs, people, and business opportunities recommended by someone in one's contact network. Employers can also list jobs and search for potential candidates.

SpiffBox: Another free-to-join social networking site, SpiffBox is the newest social networking site that actually “pays you to be social.” SpiffBox combines many different features of social networking and photo sharing sites, like email, friending, chat, updates and photo sharing. SpiffBox uses a points system as incentive for communication between members. Users can even earn real money by responding to emails, chats, friend invites and sharing photos.