Here's an interesting post on social networks which questions just how truly relational they are. It is almost identical to a conversation I had with someone at church a few weeks ago. (I wish I could remember who that was.) I agree that, right now, social networks do not value nor encourage deep relationship building. That is a problem and we are already starting to see some attempts to fix it a little bit with some of the video-based sites. But it will still remain a shortfall of electronic communication. However, social networks doe create a base, or a platform for deeper relationships.

But, in any event, as a marketer, I have been looking at social networks for their marketing capabilities more than anything. Social networks are not going away. Increasingly, they will be a way to form contacts and spread the word about goods and services.