Last week, I posted a link to a survey by synovate which indicated that globally, most adults don’t know what “online social networking” is, and the ones that do know are losing interest.

This makes sense, in the traditional sense of “social networking” online, which involves going to social networking sites to meet like-minded people. A quick Google Search, “define: Social Networking” reveals that most of the definitions online see social networking as being very “site” oriented. Adults typically don’t have time to go online just to find friends, and they are aware of the potential risks and dangers of participating in such sites, as the survey points out. The primary reason most of us might visit such sites is for the purpose of networking professionally, to promote our blogs and projects.

In the “real world” (offline), this is simply referred to as “networking,” and it happens everywhere - in restaurants, in offices, at conventions, on the golf course, in airports…wherever people gather. Since so many people are online, this is now happening online.

Online social networking involves, “Expanding one’s social network or sphere of influence by initiating mutually advantageous new relationships with people.” This can be done online through a variety of media, including blogging, commenting on blogs, linking with other bloggers, utilizing feeds, e-mailing, and participating in online groups (Google Groups, Yahoo Groups, etc), as well as visiting social news and social networking sites. Increasingly, virtual life is conforming to “real” life, and the “social network” is becoming more of an activity than a place to go.

Beginning September 30th, the WebWarriors of FHK (WWF) are planning to launch our first Web 2.0 Online Workshop, called “OK, I’m online. Now what?!”

In the workshop we’ll cover:

• How to develop your online profile
• How to use the social networks effectively
• How to know which Web 2.0 media (blogging? wikis? social networks? e-mail lists? etc.) will help you meet your personal/professional goals online

These workshops will take place entirely online, and will use a combination of live and pre-recorded video demonstrations and online web conferencing tools. All of the materials will be stored in an 24/7 members-only discussion forum, where workshop attendees will be able to work with each other, ask questions of the WWF team, and catch-up on anything shared in the live demonstrations that they might have missed or want to review.

The first workshop will be a beta-test, and will be free of charge to our Ft. Hard Knox members and their guests, so start thinking about which of your friends, neighbors, and associates might be interested in taking advantage of this opportunity. Beginning in September, updates and information on these workshops will be available in our Weekly WWF Web 2.0 Newsletter, and in our WebWarriors Facebook Group.