It seems like it’s 1999 all over again.  I remember “way back then” when things started taking off online…tons of buzz and promises of untold riches for all those, both entrepreneurs and conventional businesses, that embraced the new Internet.  With the crash of the early 2000’s, most of that didn’t realize.  People came to realize that the Internet is really just another channel for one’s business, and, when used effectively, a very effective channel.  But it’s not the only channel.  As my mentor, Dan Kennedy, says, “The worst number in business is one.”

Over the past several years a groundswell (by the way, if you haven’t read the book, Groundswell, you really need to get a copy) has been developing around the social media and social networking theme.  Today there are literally thousands of social networking sites available.  And in some cases, it reminds me of the late 1990’s.

Social media and Social Networking give you as a business owner the means to reach your prospects and customers in different ways.  It is true that, at the end of the day, business is not about companies dealing with companies but about people dealing with people.  Social Networking offers a much improved way of creating and developing true interactive relationships with and among individuals.  That’s important.

At the same time, with the numerous choices available to you, how do you get the best return for your time and money investment?  This is a question Charles Heflin and I have been “struggling” with for almost a year.  We think we’ve found one answer and created a new Social Networking business to address that question.  And, as the business evolves, we’ve got some very cool additions coming in the next several months.

Just don’t forget this one important thing: there is no “one” answer to a business’ marketing challenges.  Social Networking offers another tool to the business owner’s toolbelt.  And CorpSocialNetworking.com makes the job a little easier.

In case you haven’t heard, Google has updated their Keyword Tool and now shows approximate search volume for keywords.  Here’s their exact quote, “This column shows the approximate number of search queries matching your keywords that were performed on Google and the search network in the previous calendar month. This number is specific to your targeted country and language as well as your selection from the Match Type drop-down menu.”

You’ll want to spend a little time with this new development from Google, but they seem to have opened up a little more information to their internal data.

This appears to have implications for more than just ppc advertising; if you’re theming your web site, you’ll be able to get a perspective from Google on related keywords.  All this might help with your SEO efforts.

This is just one more “tool” now available to you in your keyword research toolbox.

Go for it.