I have known about Facebook for years, but simply did not see the relevance of Facebook to my busy life. Facebook is a free social networking Web site; a place where you can connect with friends who are also online.

A few months ago, I received an e-mail message from a friend inviting me to be her “friend” on Facebook. Sounds a little bit like the grade school “will you be my friend routine,” but people have to consent to have contact with or even see others on the network. Since I was invited, I figured it was time to check out Facebook. I created an account in about five minutes. I invited my husband to join. With two friends in hand, I did not feel entirely like a geek and went in search of other people I knew. I found people from both high school and college who, despite all of my good intentions, I managed to lose track of through the years.  I have reconnected with colleagues in a completely new way. Friends of friends have befriended me. Suddenly, I feel like I am in touch with my past. It’s fun to update friends and family about what is going on in my life without interrupting their day. Friends can check out the latest pictures of my family and our latest adventure if they are interested, or not. I can keep up-to-date with the milestones (and sometimes the minutia) of their lives. Even my parents who are in their 70s, intrigued by my Facebook stories, have joined as well. They too have “re-friended” people from their pasts; proof that one can learn new tricks at almost any age.

Social networking is the most obvious benefit of Facebook. The business benefits are what took me by surprise. Consider Facebook a business network tool.

• Without even trying, my social networking with old friends brought me a new client.
• Facebook allows you to create special pages to highlight your business or non-profit.
• Facebook is an excellent form of viral marketing. You can drive news about your business to your Facebook connections.
• At last check, Facebook was the fifth most visited site on the Internet. More than half of the 45 million active Facebook users visit daily. You have access to a free tool that LOTS people are already using. How great is that?
• Target advertising to those people that you want to reach. You can target geographically down to the county, by occupation, by hobby, by age, by gender, by marital status, etc. And the best part? You only pay when someone clicks on your ad.

Whether you have a business or just like keeping in touch with friends, try Facebook yourself at www.Facebook.com.

One caution: think before you post anything personal on the Web. How much information is too much? Remember, it is standard policy for potential employers and college admissions officers to Google candidates.