If you work alone, social networking tools can help you feel connected

I work by myself and sometimes miss the "water cooler" conversations or the quick comments of someone passing by my office. What I have found in the last year especially is that social networking tools can provide quick conversations, an easy way of bouncing ideas off of others "in the office," and a place to ask "what do you think?" Of course, those conversations can only occur if you are networking with a group of somewhat similarly-focused people. For example, in my Twitter network are other information professionals (some of which I've actually met face-to-face!). Because we're in the same industry -- broadly speaking -- we can offer tips, ideas, and support quite easily.

If you work alone -- or with a group of people who have a different focus than you -- you may find the camaraderie that you need through tools such as Twitter, Facebook, Meebo, ...

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Technorati tag: social networking tools