Just the other day the question of using social networks as a way to build a business came up in a discussion with my brother.  Now usually, he’s a pretty smart guy but he just doesn’t understand “this social networking thing.” For him being on Twitter or creating Fan Pages on Facebook was an enormous waste of time that his sales team could be using speaking directly to merchants.

So, that got me to thinking — if this usually forward thinking brother of mine is missing the point, how many others are saying the same thing? It seems a lot. While on the VA Networking Forum, I read one experience posted describing a “discussion” with an editor of a local newspaper. It seems he thinks the idea of a person being able to work without being watched by a supervisor is ludicrous and basically a scam. Wow!

So it seems that while people understand the entertainment potential of social networks, the idea of actually getting paid by using them is still a bit new. So, I’m working on collecting all the things I know about social media and putting them down in blog posts on a regular basis. There so much that can be accomplished by using these networks, if you do it correctly. Social networks make it possible to work and play at the same time.

Now, back to my brother. While I finally got it through my brother’s head that using tools such as Twitter and hash tags to do market research and even find people in the area that are looking for what you are selling, it did take a long time. I wish that I had known about this great free ebook that explains in a plain English how to use social networking to get a job, and in the case of entrepreneurs, secure clients.

The author, Chris Brogan, has made the ebook available on his website. If you’ve ever wondered what all the buzz is about, this is a great introduction to the social networking scene.  And while you’re waiting to download that PDF, why not check out the video “Social Networking in Plain English.”

I just wanted to tell everyone about the wonderful world of The Homeschooling Lounge. I have made friends there and learned a lot about the way that parents homeschool their children around the world. I have met families from Australia, Brazil as well as the United States and I find everyone fascinating.

I highly recommend every family that is part of the homeschooling world to check it out and give me a shout! The great moms who put this site together now have given us a new website called Freebie of the Day. Everyday they offer free homeschooling resources for homeschoolers. I just found out about it yesterday, but I’ve downloaded two free audiobooks and they offer different things on different days. I highly recommend signing up for their updates so that you can know what to expect for the week ahead.

Speaking of freebie sites, Giveaway of the Day (www.giveawayoftheday.com) gives away free software on a daily basis. The available programs vary, but you can download utilities, games and other applications. You only have that day to download and register the software, so don’t download it and think that you’ll be able to install it at your convenience.

Being a work at home mom, well as a homeschooler I really appreciate these free sites and all of what they offer. Pass the word along — freebies without strings really rocks!