Was bumming around like I have a lot of time on my hands...like DUH?! In today's dull economy, I imagine I am the only few people left on the planet that dare bum around on the Internet. But I do. Bum around, I mean. And I bummed into something interesting.

Some internet marketing gurus were reflecting on the emergence and dominance of sites like Twitter and Facebook. Facebook, I'll home in on this one, the 'status update' feature is one of the most used features in the cyberworld today. The status update, if you're not 'updated' about this feature on Facebook, is a tool whereby you can announce, brag, boast, inform all your friends (and site visitors via a Facebook Badge placed on your blog or website) about what you're doing. This is instantaneous. The moment it changes, everyone knows. If you're giving birth, everyone knows. If you're having a fight with your in-laws, everyone knows. If you're having trouble moving your bowels, ah well....everyone knows as well. That is....if you want them to know.

It's really curious how something as simple as a 'status update' can rock the internet marketing realm - but I digress. The status update feature is just ONE OF THE MANY TOOLS on Facebook but....it's the core of another website....yes, Twitter.

I've been asked before.... 'So! What's the difference between Twitter and FaceBook?' and my answer is this....wait for it. One fine day, Twitter is going to die. D.I.E. No, don't crucify me because I am not the only one who thinks so! Just because I wrote this doesn't mean that I want Twitter to die...hold your horses. Twitter is another way of disseminating information to a group of people with whom you've befriended and have chosen to include in your circle of friends. Facebook's 'status update' feature works the same way.

I am not going to beat around the bush and find technical terms to make your jaw drop. I am going to lay it down for you as it is. Here's why people make use of their status update and I am going to divide it into a two-tier thing.

One, socializing. (duh!! That's the social in social media marketing) You're supposed to make friends and connect with one another through this sites so, if you're going to sign up for an account and do nothing with it....just imagine who would be interested....yeah, probably no one. So, assuming you're keen to make yourself stand out and then, perhaps, subtly introduce your business or profession to the people out there, you have do 'something' and changing your 'status update' status is as easy as a couple of taps and a click! Tell me you don't know how to do that and I'll say I'm a guy!

Two, networking for business purposes. This is the second edge to the double-edged sword. The more you connect with people, the more curious people get about you, they go your profile, check you out and realize what you do for a living. The foundation has been laid when the chance arises.

So, what's the deal with Twitter dying, right? Well, in my personal opinion, Facebook's got the whole package going and the transparency is there. One look and you know someone's become a fan of someone/thing. The transparency is what makes social networking work so well!

And the golden question to making your mark on social networking sites like Facebook would be....how do I do it? I think I would answer you this way....you don't.

Well, not in-your-face, anyway because people on these social networking websites hate that unless they've outwardly asked for it. I'll give you an example of how one 'markets' oneself using the Facebook 'status update' feature.

"I have a new client" - Yes, I am good enough to get myself a new client.

"I think I've just mastered the art of SEO" - Let me help you with your SEO

"I am so excited about my new product" - Wanna take a look at it?

"Just came home from a luxury cruise" - I am making truckloads of money...wanna know how I did it?

See? Simple. The message is all hidden behind those words and you don't even have to outwardly spell it out for them....people listen, and if they're a fan of yours or think you're worth your salt, they remember.

So, you see, if I wanted to market myself after writing this article, I'd go right into my Facebook (OK, fine....my Twitter as well) account and change my status update to this - Marsha just finished writing one smashing good article on Facebook status update feature...Twitter will die.

But that was before I discovered that Twitter is smarter than I gave them credit for...I've just discovered TwitBlog...which makes more sense. :-)