At first, I will admit Facebook was little more than a site I could visit to pretend I had any skill in virtual bowling.  Over the years, though, I have reconnected with old friends, shared photos with long-distance family, and sent many wishes of congratulations for engagements, weddings, birthdays and sweet new babies.  Facebook has also become one of the major sources for me to get information that will further my professional development (and, let’s face it, keep me up-to-date on all the celebrity gossip I can stand).

So, what are the four reasons you should care about social media? It’s a simple answer: Facebook, Twitter, Google, and LinkedIn.  The big four have become major platforms in sharing information and connecting people.  Initially only open by invitation, last month Google opened its social network, Google+, up to the public to join.  Just this week, LinkedIn announced its new talent pipeline management tool.  Here at HRN, we recently created a Facebook page and began tweeting updates to Twitter.  As of this writing, 482 people “like” us, and 72 follow us on Twitter.  But what does that mean, really?

Just when I think I have an understanding of social media, the virtual world is turned upside down with something new.  GSG World Media is publishing four new monthly magazines advising business owners in the effective use of social media tools.  These magazines will focus on one of the major platforms: Twitter, Google, LinkedIn, and Facebook.  They will be available exclusively at Office Depot stores for $7.95 each.

Publishing a print magazine that will advise business owners on using social media?  That sounds more than a little contradictory to me.  The magazines publishers believe offering the magazine in print is an opportunity to reach some business owners who want to learn more about the digital world before embracing it completely.

For those more frugally-minded, the four magazines will also be available free from socialmediamags.com.  Distribution partner Office Depot is sponsoring this site.  Once you subscribe, you will receive each of these magazines in digital format.  The cover stories are clever: The Big G & Business (Google) cover reads “What Keeps Zuckerberg Up at Night?”

I decided to subscribe to the digital edition.  If you pick up a copy at Office Depot, let me know if I’m missing out on something.  For now, I’ll save my $7.95.

How has social media changed the way you are doing business?

NY Times Media Decoder Blog: A Print Focus on Social Media

Follow us on Twitter – and be the first to see new blogs and the latest news.

Like us on Facebook – all the cool kids are doing it!

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Newly revised Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guidelines, found at 16 C.F.R. § 255, that are intended to protect consumers from deceptive advertising or endorsements, could create new liability for employers whose employees use blogs, Facebook, Twitter or other social media to comment on company products or services.  Liability could exist even if an employee is blogging on his own time, using his own equipment, as it’s presumed that the blogging benefits the company.  Liability can be imposed where an employee fails to disclose his or her employment relationship.  These Guidelines make it even more important for employers to develop Social Media policies that clarify expected employee conduct.