Networking has become more than just a face to face endeavor.

Social network sites
Online networking has revolutionized how artists connect with each other, curators, funders, and collectors. While there are many social networking sites available to artists, it’s important to register with the ones that matter.
 
Having a successful and productive web presence means keeping and maintaining select profiles on a handful of sites. Remember, each site will require maintenance. You will have to update your profile, comment on other people’s profiles, and generally keep your profile alive. This takes effort. So choose the sites you join wisely.
 
Here are some basic rules for these sites that you should learn and live by:

1.    These sites are not your portfolio or website. They are not an ideal place to look at or find work because they are cluttered with ads and extraneous information. It’s up to you if you want to post pictures of your work on your profile. Given all the recent hullabaloo about Facebook owning user’s content, you might want to think about the work you upload because you could get yourself in copyright problems down the road. Instead, think about posting installation shots from your shows.

2.    Don’t bombard your network with messages, group invitations, application invites, virtual gifts, etc. This is annoying and can make people de-friend you. If you send an invite to your show do it once, two or three weeks before the event and maybe send a reminder the day before. That’s it. If you moderate a group or fan base, limit messages to a maximum of one per week. Even this can get annoying.

3.    Don’t ask people you have never met to be your “friends.” This particularly applies to curators and critics. Wait until you actually know them.

4.    Realize that any content or picture posted to your profile or anyone else’s profile is permanent. Even if you remove it, untag yourself, or ask Facebook to get rid of your account, someone could still download your image or content and upload it later. The internet is much more permanent than you might think. Actively avoid being photographed doing things you might regret later. Employers scour sites like Facebook and Myspace for incriminating pictures of future employees. If your friends post naughty pictures of you, be efficient in asking them to remove the pictures from the web.
 
Generally, emerging artists find it invaluable to have active profiles on the following sites:
 
Facebook.com
Facebook is probably the most universally important social networking site. Here you set up a profile, upload pictures, and let people know about what you are doing. Facebook is a wonderful way to network with other artists, venues, and curators. Also the event feature on facebook is one of the best ways to let people know about your exhibitions and events.
 
Myspace.com
Despite what some might say, people still use myspace. This social networking site is quite helpful for musicians promoting their bands. Like Facebook, Myspace allows you to set up a profile, upload pictures, and network with friends, artists, networks, etc. Use the events feature to invite your friends to your events.
 
Artslant.com
Mentioned earlier, Artslant is one of many social networking and news sites specifically for artists. It lets you create a profile and upload some images of your work. It also lists the shows you’ve been in and who you’ve shown with. Creating a profile here is a great idea, especially if you live in one of the cities highlighted by artslant: Chicago, Berlin, Los Angeles, New York, London, Amsterdam, Paris, San Francisco, Santa Fe, as well as other worldwide sites.
 
Linkedin.com
Linkedin is a professional networking site. The emphasis here is on professionalism. People use Linkedin to post information about their professional work experience. The site lets people network with past and future employers and colleagues. Businesses often go to Linkedin first when researching potential hires. One of the great things about Linkedin is that past employees and colleagues can post testimonials about your performance.
 
Other Social networking sites:
Here are a few other social network sites you might consider using to establish a web presence.
 
Twitter.com
Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time. You use twitter by posting a short message (140 characters max) about what you are doing. Use twitter to let people know about exhibitions you will attend, etc.
 
Ning.com
Ning lets users set up a profile and engage in online discussions and join networks of interest. GYST has a Ning group and you should consider joining. http://gystnetwork.ning.com/
 
The Saatchi Gallery
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/
This site was started by The Saatchi collection, a gallery and exhibition space in London. Thousands of artists have created profiles with images of their work.
 
Myartspace.com
Myartspace is a service letting artists create a profile with examples of their work. There are lots of networking possibilities here. They also host contests and highlight artists on the site.