Over the past few months I have become more deliberate in how I utilize social networking because I began to realize that there was something more to it than gaining “friends” and “followers.”

If you look at it from a different perspective, you’ll start to notice that these networks can become one of the best tools the web has to offer. In fact, for me, social networking has become an invaluable set of tools; each serving a very specific purpose. For example:

• My Blog [ subscribe ] - I utilize this format to write out my thoughts on being a dad, husband, business owner and student of Christ.
• Facebook - This service helps me find old friends, keep in touch with family, network with business contacts and have “presence” with all of the above.
• LinkedIn often comes in handy. Why? If you can build a big enough network, you can find just about anybody. This is especially useful when you need the specific name of someone to aid in prospecting a client, asking a question or even submitting a complaint.
• Twitter is my favorite. Of all the social networks out there, Twitter does for me what none of the others have done yet: it connects me with people in real time. Furthermore, I can honestly say that Twitter has done more to extend my “network” than any of the others, combined. And when I say “network,” I mean meeting new people I want to meet.

Through all of these social networks, I have discovered new people who are experiencing life in ways that I will never be able to. Because of my “friends” willingness to update their status’, post a blog, add pictures, or simply write a short note on my “wall,” I am given permission to watch what’s going on, see who they are interested in and peek into life, as they know and share it.

However, the biggest surprise I’ve found in social networking? Unintentional mentors. These are the “friends” that I assimilate clues, patterns, tips and nuggets of wisdom from, on a regular basis. They are people who model aspects of life I strive for, who lead the way in my entrepreneurial space and who have the perspective of God that I deeply desire.

If you’re like me and you recognize that there are life lesson and experience gaps in your thinking and worldviews, then you understand the paramount need to learn as much as you can. While my personal pursuit for a face to face mentor hasn’t been as successful as I would like it to be, believe it or not, social networking, specifically Twitter, is beginning to meet my needs.

Rather than leaving this theoretical, I’d like to introduce some fellow “friends” that you might be interested in:

• Michael Hyatt [ Blog | Twitter ] is perhaps, the most inspiring and influential person I follow. In fact, I would say that I’ve learned more in the past six months from him, than anyone else in my social network.
• Phil Cooke [ Blog ] says it like it is. He offers a great perspective on faith, culture and media that I enjoy reading. He inspires me to become more bold.
• Cara Davis [ Blog | Twitter ] - This girl is the blogging queen. She simultaneously contributes to 5-6 blogs on a regular basis while working and being a mom of a toddler. She inspires me to stick with the day-to-day, even when it may not look like it’s making a difference.
• Seth Godin [ Blog ] writes a blog post almost daily. Each entry offers a paradigm shift, if you’ll let it. This makes me want to write better.

There are scores of other people that I could mention that would fit the description of “inspiring,” but the people above are those that I don’t let a Twitter or a blog post go by without reading it. They, like the thousands of others, have something unique to offer.

Social networking can you be your “friend” and it can be one of the greatest tools you’ll ever use. Like everything else, it’s up to you to make the most out of it.

For those of you who are right there with me, who are your unintentional mentors? I’d like to add to my “friends.”

If you’re one of the millions who have started, or already use Twitter, me too. I signed up a long time ago just to see what it was all about. Honestly, at the time, I didn’t get why I could or would be interested in knowing the fine-details of anybody, let alone strangers. Well, I’ve changed my tune.

Twitter Shirt from igadget.com - $20

In the past 30-days, I’ve embarked on a challenge to see how and, most importantly, why I should integrate Twitter into my everyday life. That’s an easy discussion to have in your head, but how do you explain the benefits to your employees, friends and often times, confused family members? After 30 days, here’s my top five reasons for using Twitter:

• It makes me really think about what I’m doing RIGHT NOW. Over the past year, I’ve become a student of personal productivity. Twitter requires me to consider if what I’m doing is Twitter worthy. If it’s not, I question whether it’s really worth my time.
• It gives me “presence” with friends, coworkers, family and vendors. While I won’t say that it creates or sustains these relationships, it provides opportunity to build on them. Why? I can feedback, direct message or simply be aware of what’s going on in peoples lives.
• It’s a great way to stay up-to-date with family. I’ve not been successful in converting many family members over to Twitter (yet), however, I am finding some luck by recently starting a Twitter for my 10-month old, @savannahgrace. Grandparents will do anything to stay in touch with their grandchild.
• It’s marketable. Let’s be honest, I own an marketing company that focuses on internet, new and social media. I have to know how to use it, why it works for some and if and how to make it work for my clients.
• It’s fun. I’m enjoying my new Twitter community of friends: @kristychowning, @savannahgrace, @ashbylane, @ashbychick, @michaelhyatt, @shawnrstewart. Recently joined? Follow me.

The internet is growing exponentially everyday. New social media can either be seen as a distraction or a tool. It’s up to us to consider why we use it to determine what place it will have in our lives. The key:

• Commitment and plan on how you will use each tool
• Integrate it into your life easily and then use it regularly
• Have fun with it. If it’s not fun, you won’t use it.

If you find something cool, be sure to let me know.

Social networking has largely been used to help people get in touch with current, old and future friends. However, one site has taken a stab at connecting people who know the people you know.

LinkedIn.com has become a surprisingly functional resource for me. Many people have asked me what LinkedIn is. I suppose my invitation for them to join me on this network maybe see as an attempt to build my confidence level by how many friends, or “connections” I have, but quite the opposite is true.

Everything that we’ve been given is a gift that we are to steward. It happens to be that over the past 10 years, I’ve been able to grow quite a long list of contacts. While it may pale in comparison to some, it’s been very fruitful for me. Sites like LinkedIn allow connectors like myself to go beyond my current arenas of influence and “connect” with other colleagues, friends, coworkers and prospect clients. But these reasons don’t satisfy my interest entirely.

Ever have a moment on the phone with a horrible customer service rep and wish that you could do something about it? Well, most likely you can. Simply go to www.linkedin.com, click on search and enter in the name of the company you just interacted with and type in “vice president,” for example, into the job title search box. Once you hit search, you’re likely to find all sorts of people who work for this company…most of whom’s names would never, I repeat NEVER be found on their corporate site.

You see, social networking is more than a shallow perception of popularity, it can be a channel of influence if used correctly. In such cases as customer service and other examples, websites like Linkedin.com simply become a world wide address book, where even President’s, CEO’s, VP’s and the like offer up their contact information like a friend would his phone number.

The internet is changing things.