A Short Overview of Social Networks and Their Uses

This Element is an excerpt from 33 Million People in the Room: How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business with Social Networking (9780137154357) by Juliette Powell. Available in print and digital formats.
Profiling the world of social networks: what you need to know about the leaders, and the important newcomers you may not have discovered yet.
Different social networks exist for different audiences and different purposes, and each is a microcosm unto itself. There is no ""one size fits all"" social network. A fundamental understanding of the differences between the networks is key to making the best use of the tools that are out there. Here's a rundown of the biggest social networks out there along with some newer, smaller ones you should be watching....