ResearchNOTES
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December 2008
All A-Twitter about Web 2.0
 
You hear a lot about LinkedIn, Twitter and other social networking tools. You’ve heard how they’re great for marketing yourself or your business. But did you know that these sites are also handy for doing your research? If you’re looking for information about your industry, competitors or buyers – or you just need to stay op to date on a particular topic – consider adding social networking sites to the mix. For this month’s issue of ResearchNOTES, here are a few tips I’ve learned from my own social network – my fellow information pros.

First, you’ll want to read Amelia Kassel’s article, “Social Networking: A Research Tool,” available for free in the FUMSI article database at http://snipurl.com/6wu0w. It’s a good introduction to this topic, and Amelia reveals some of her secrets for using LinkedIn for research.

In a Web 2.0 world, everyone’s a publisher. Google Maps allows site visitors to submit their own maps, and Mary Ellen Bates offers some creative uses for this type of user-generated Web content. Read about it in her InfoTips newsletter at http://snipurl.com/8ztb8.

The US Government, probably the largest publisher in the world, is jumping into the Web 2.0 waters. Thanks to Gary Price’s ResourceShelf newsletter (www.resourceshelf.com), I discovered GovTwit, a list of government agencies that use Twitter and other social media. You can find it at http://snipurl.com/8ztrb and see what the government is twittering about.

Thanks for reading ResearchNOTES and sending it to your friends and colleagues. I wish you health and lots of happiness in 2009!

Regards - Marcy