Do social Networking sites, such as LinkedIn help in promoting your business?

I would say so definitely!

How is Social networking and SEO connected?

Using Social networking for your business is a step forward in enhancing your web presence. It may not be directly connected to SEO but it certainly enhances your presence on the internet. SEO techniques can be designed to optimize your presence on the networking sites. Social networking sites are easily the most visited and most popular sites today.  Most of us eat, sleep, and breathe social networking. Social networking sites have a sort of viral effect on your business.  You can invite/ add as many people as you like, your friends, your friend’s friends, your family and  more. You contact will multiply and so will your visibility.

Networking sites  let you create a page specific to your business, you can create a group, invite members, get likes, encourage discussions etc. All of these can help give your business the mileage you require. I would suggest that you consider not spamming or being overtly persuasive, just spread your message among your group, and be polite.Remember to promote your Social networking profile, and URL whenever you communicate (through your signature lines) etc.

Marketing and social networking go hand in hand.Marketing your business on the Social networking sites is  a continuous process.

Some of the most popular, Top  Social networking websites as of today are –

Facebook.com
LinkedIn.com
Twitter.com
Myspace.com
Tumblr.com

By having your business page on LinkedIn (essentially a professional networking site) you are increasing your chances of being found. Many people search on LinkedIn by company names, products, industries etc. Even if people do  not know your company name, on searching with a specific keyword, your business may be found. That will bring in new visitors. Also, through your connections in LinkedIn, you can invite more connections and your connections will multiply. Imagine the impact this will have on your business!

If you are still shy of going the networking way, I would suggest you start step by step, it is never too late, but it is becoming essential for every business…big or small to have a presence in the Social networking sites.

Here is a brief summary on LinkedIn:-

Linkedin was launched in May 2003 December and is mainly used for Professional networking.

* A contact network is built up consisting of their direct connections, the connections of each of their connections (termed second-degree connections) and also the connections of second-degree connections (termed third-degree connections). This can be used to gain an introduction to someone a person wishes to know through a mutual contact.
* It can then be used to find jobs, people and business opportunities recommended by someone in one’s contact network.

The above info is from Wikipedia, for more on Linkedin click here