Not only is everyone tweeting and lynking and FaceBooking and blogging, but media darlings and PR gurus are encouraging small businesses to join social networks. There are some boundaries to establish and pitfalls to avoid, if you want to use these networking sites to gain your business exposure in the correct light.

• DO: sign up for a free Twitter, FaceBook and blog account (there are so many out there, the list is endless. These are 3 I use)

• DO: blog, tweet and post faithfully, but appropriately on a regular basis. (Your business Twitter account should not be where you write about that piece of popcorn you spit out when laughing at the new Dorito commercial!)
• DO: keep the posts meaningful and content-rich (Talk about the newest service you're offering, or how seasonally appropriate a new styling is to your audience)
• DO: follow and 'fan' like-minded businesses that you admire (You are not only supporting your colleagues in your industry, but you are extending a subtle invitation for their followers and fans to check out your biz too!)
• DO: coordinate your efforts (Think purse, belt, shoes! Each time you promote, for example, a Valentine's promotion - update your website, blog and Twitter/FaceBook statuses too. Google loves - and rewards, ranks -  frequently updated content. Matching ad verbage makes your business look like a valid, mature brand to support!)

Here is a link to an article about social networking that received from a Twitter friend. Don't commit social networking suicide. Keep your personal accounts personal, and your business identities promoting the image and imagination that you want to attribute to your business profile.

http://shamable.com/2010/01/social-media-suicide-is-not-the-answer/

Happy Lashing, and follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/LashFX and FaceBook!
I'll do the same for you!
jp