Another new year is here. As you are making your usual list of resolutions, consider where we are headed as a society and how these resolutions will relate to your success during these changes. Personal goals aside, such as lose weight, stop smoking etc. what are your developmental goals for the new year? Maybe you plan to increase your sales by 25% or learn more about your trade by attending seminars. Perhaps you would like to get that promotion next year by talking to your boss. How about one that will increase your long term success and exposure in your industry? Have you considered your personal brand and the new Web 2.0?

What is Web 2.0 some of you may ask? Web 2.0 is the latest and greatest of the Internet. Web 1.0 was simply informational with little interaction and live communication. Now we have blogging, tweeting, facebooking, virtual worlds (people are actually interviewing in virtual worlds on the web!), LinkedIn, Plaxo, and the list goes on. The way we do business and communicate is ever changing as Gen Y makes their mark. If you are not educated and able to hop on the boat, you may end up floating in the water.

Many of the old basics of business will remain the same such as your reputation in your industry and referrals for example but the way in which people communicate these things is changing. One example of this is Facebook. Major companies like Victoria's Secret are hyping up their facebook page on their TV ads so that customers can "write on their wall" and become a "fan". Open communication is invited and they are inviting you to do so through social networking. Did you know that one word of mouth referral is as effective as 200 advertisements?! www.socialmediamagic.com

The most important thing is not to get caught up in it. These sites can be very time consuming and can result in a full time job! Choose the sites that  you think will be the best fit for your purpose and make sure that you log in regularly. Create a profile that will make others want to connect with you and add a professional picture. Invite others to join your network and join groups of interest, if applicable. Copy/Paste your information with sites that have the same format and use the same picture to create consistency of your brand . Based on your purpose, decide how you want to use these sites. Is it to connect with others, create relationships and with those relationships drive business to your company? Is it to get your name out there as an expert in your field in order to generate credibility? Is it to get others talking about your business, you or your product and talking about their experience ie. generating referrals? Once you know what your purpose is you will be able to decide how to generate the best return on investment for your time.

So, if you would like to brush up on your knowledge of these areas, here are some suggested readings:

How to really use LinkedIn by Jan Vermeiren

 Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing LinkedIn by Neal Schaffer

The Social Media Bible by David K. Brake

The Social Networking Business Plan by David Silver

33 Million People in the Room by Juliette Powell

Me 2.0 by Dan Schwabel (recommended for college students)

All of these can be found on www.Amazon.com

Here are some of  the most popular websites:

Twitter, Facebook, Plaxo, Fastpitch, MySpace, MerchantCircle (register your business here and up your Google ranking), Wikipedia, Xing, Reddit, Alias, Biznik, Bebo and hi5.