Today it seems that we all stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues through social networking sites. Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are fun ways to find out what your friend’s weekend plans are via their Facebook status or how your colleague is stuck in line waiting for lunch by following them on twitter.

Social media is a great resource for many reasons but most importantly, it gives a voice to important issues, political campaigns (who can forget Obama’s presidential online campaign) and in my position, helps leverage the critical issues of the Ad Council. Twitter, which is the third most used social networking site, allows each of us to interact in real time. It gives “ordinary” people the opportunity to follow their icons, senators and even their favorite celebrities (doesn’t everyone follow Kelly Ripa like myself?). The biggest misconception about these sites is that they aren’t simply for entertainment purposes. They have the ability to get an important message such as where to donate for the victims of the Haiti earthquake or the benefits of adopting foster children.

A great feature on Twitter is a “Twitter party” which gives you the ability to interact with experts about topics ranging from books, to world issues to the new technology gadget. While most of us have attended a birthday, anniversary or retirement party, have you ever been to a Twitter party? What exactly is a Twitter party? A Twitter party allows organizations and companies to interact with their peers as well as interview spokespeople, post reviews, and host giveaways. It’s a great opportunity to reach thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of people with your important message! Recent examples of twitter parties include ones on Myrtle Beach Hotels and several kids and tweens book parties.

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