Two good articles on online social networks

In my continuous quest to learn how best to use (and advise my clients to use) online social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, here are two good articles that were published recently on the subject.

The first is Should Your Organization Use Social Networking Sites? written by Brett Bonfield and published by Idealware.  I like the way this article is divided into two parts, beginning with a discussion of why online social networks may not be a good fit for an organization, and then moving on to a second part that discusses opportunities of this new medium.

The second article is Eight Secrets of Effective Online Networking - Tips, tricks, and tools for using and managing your social networks wisely written by Beth Kanter.  What are Beth's eight secrets?

• Invest Time in Your Network
• Test the Waters with an Individual Profile
• Establish a Routine
• Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin
• Share the Workload
• Keep It Personal
• Befriend People Strategically
• Use a Few Good Time Savers