I'm not a fan of social networking sites because they seem to be a complete waste of time for most people, and many times are quite damaging to reputations and job prospects because the people who create these pages don't realize that images and descriptions of wild activities and such may well come back to haunt them sometime in the future. Employers, rental agencies, credit agencies; neighbors, even potential mates run searches on folks they are interested in to see if there is any dirt on them.
But social networking sites can be very useful in creating positive search engine results. Any web site or individual web page is an opportunity for you to put forward a positive image of yourself in your own words. That's what I have done with my Ken Padgett Facebook page, my Ken Padgett Biography and the Ken Padgett Blog. Social networking sites, like blogs, are usually free and easy ways to make a web page about yourself that can be "keyword rich" in terms you want the search engines to index.
The important thing to remember is that web pages are serious business and shouldn't be taken lightly. Whatever you upload to a server will be archived somewhere and may well be easily accessible to anyone even after the page has been changed or taken down. i.e. Don't ever post pictures of yourself drunk, taking beer or bong hits, cross-dressing, getting tattoos, or any other stupid thing unless you already have a healthy trust fund and don't need to worry about what others think of you.
When you're connecting with others via social networking web sites keep in mind that on the internet, as in life, you are known by the company you keep. Don't "friend" just anyone because people who are likely to draw conclusions about your character based on what you post on a personal page will also probably check out a few of your friends. If your friends post photos of themselves doing things that are questionable that can also reflect poorly upon you.
Click here to visit the Ken Padgett Facebook page
