Networking is still one of the greatest ways to help your business grow, but it has taken on new dimensions over the years.

Attending business meetings, joining a Chamber of Commerce and other groups are still effective ways to get to know and connect with movers and shakers in your community. But with the advent of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, networking has extended its reach and picked up speed.

No matter what your niche, there are others interested in being your colleagues and customers. With Facebook and Twitter, geography is no longer a barrier. When I posted on Twitter this weekend, I got a response from a trainer in New York, a farmer in Iowa and a fellow coach in Alabama. By sharing what we are each doing in our businesses we are able to make connections that can lead to resources and increased business.

Even if you are still not convinced that social media is right for you, get a free membership from at least Facebook and Twitter. As you learn more about these you will become more comfortable with using them.

Just as few businesses try to run without a telephone and computer, modern successful businesses are capitalizing on the power and reach of social media for networking. Get on board and you’ll discover the same.