I will call this my Education phase for now and will focus on bringing you information that might help you better understand the concepts of social networking and how they might benefit you.

Let me begin with a little story that held a lot of 'in-site' for me. About a year or so ago, our Church went on a major capital fund raising campaign to build some additions to the Church. One would be a building for teens which would be located across the street from the main Church, next would be the tunnel that would allow access from the new building to the old building and, finally would be the Atrium which would be the large opening where the tunnel dumped everyone. OK, so this sounds nice but WOW, a tunnel under the street and an Atrium. What on earth for? Not to mention how expensive it would be. So i watched with trepidation as the money was raised and the building progressed.

I also listened because if all these people were willing to pour their money into this effort, it must have more to offer than i thought. The Atrium bothered me the most. I pictured something like our fellowship hall with linoleum floors, folding tables and chairs, a piano at the front etc. Why did we need another room like this?

Well,last week the Atrium opened! The bulletins preceding it reminded us to 'Take 10' and stop by the new area. Be sure to wear our name badges or order one if we didn't have one. It promised to be exciting and the area had been sealed off previously so we could not see anything that was going on.

Friends, i am here to tell you that this social networking apostle (that would be me) was sleeping on the job!! I had forgotten myself that social networking takes on all shapes and sizes and manifests itself in so many ways BUT the bottom line is...we all want to COMMUNICATE and we all want to find the CONVERSATION. That is exactly what happened at the grand opening of our Atrium!!!

It was SPECTACULAR! The Atrium looked like the lobby of a grand Hotel.They had food and coffee, relaxing chairs, a baby grand piano, flower arrangements and PEOPLE!!! Everyone was wearing name badges and sayinghello. I even had someone come up to me and introduce herself with.."I couldn't help but notice your yellow jacket!" (i of course was ecstatic and yellow is the It color) then she said, "because i have one just like it and i wanted to see how you were wearing it!" Needless to say, i met more people that day then i ever thought.

Why,because it was COMMUNITY. Sure a Church is suppose to BE community but if you don't allow community to happen, it doesn't! Get it!

That is why all the hype related to social networking and social media. They are the ways that allow community to happen! and then there's "What's in it for me?" In less than 5 minutes i met someone with a similar interest, we both love Anne Klein and her great yellow swing jacket! Whatever your fancy, you can find it if you find the right community,have an open mind, jump in the middle and, USE it!

After all, we like to buy from our friends, learn from our friends, share with our friends, trust our friends right? So let's MAKE more friends!

Thanks for stopping by;

The Shopper Next Door

Your homework:

Start making new friends by adding your old ones. Sign In to TheRetailTradeCenter.com and select 'Promote the Site' from the main menu. Send a message to 5 of your Retail minded friends. Ask them to join the Center and look you up to Add as Contact. Then let them know what is on your mind in the common areas for the Center.