Sunday, June 22, 2008

Mike recommends…Social Networking!


If you are a serious blogger, or just a sociable sort who loves the Internet, then you probably know all about the large number of social networking sites out there. I am a member of dozens of them, and while some are better than others, depending on what it is you're looking for, I would like to show you a few that I visit often. Below is a list of only a handful of sites that I use regularly and highly recommend—there are lots more, and I will eventually make videos about some of them as well. Yes, videos. On my video site, I have a section called Mike Recommends…, which I use to endorse products, blogs, and websites. In this post, I would like to call attention to that section of my site, along with my favorite blogs and networking sites.

You see, I am a man torn between two worlds, that of the blogger and vlogger. I love my vid site and enjoy the process of creating videos to share with the masses. But, being a writer for years, I have discovered that writing a blog is also an incredibly satisfying experience. The solution: do both! Which I am attempting to do. But it's like being a parent with more than one child, trying to allot equal time to each—you must be careful to make sure one does not get more attention than the other. Or worse, one is not being treated better than the other. It's a juggling act of my time and creative energies, but one I thoroughly enjoy.

So, I hope while you enjoy this post, you also learn a bit more about what makes me and livelife365 tick. Just as I hope you take the time to click on the links below and enjoy a mere handful from the hundreds of videos available at livelife365.com. Also, please check out the new What's Happening box at the top of the site page.

These are some (and by no means all) of the social networking sites I use and highly recommend:

Iowa Avenue


I'm a member of this community, a wonderful site that shares lots of my ideals about health, fitness, and exercise. If you like livelife365, you will enjoy Iowa Avenue.

Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers


One site loaded with dozens of health and fitness bloggers? Yup, this is the place . I am a member and visit daily--you should too.

Good Reads


I love to read and talk about the books I have read, am reading, and want to read. You can do all that, and more, at this site.

Blog Catalog


A great site it you love blogs and blogging. As the site itself notes, "whether you are looking to search blogs, connect with bloggers, learn more about blogging, or promote your own blog, BlogCatalog is for you."



Digg


Check out this great news and entertainment sharing site. I use it just about every day. Digg it!

StumbleUpon


Another great social networking site that I visit all the time. If you enjoy websurfing and interacting with people, this is the place.

YouTube and Metacafe


Both are video sharing sites that I use extensively. One you've probably heard about, the other one is pretty good too.


Here are some websites and blogs that I recommend:

Health Nut Wannabee Mom


One of the many excellent blogs out there that focuses on healthy lifestyle and fitness. This one is one of the better ones.

Ecolive.tv


If you're looking for a great video site that is all about environmental issues, this is the place to visit.

WebXpertz


For web hosting, website development, and a great forum to answer all your coding, styling, scripting, and programming needs, this is the city to visit. Their specialty is JavaScript.

Multi Media Information


For Web design, digital Imagery, Research, Editing, Database management, and all other web-related services at reasonable rates, I rely on my good friend Eric at MMI. He can help you establish an online identity from the ground up, thoroughly copyedit an existing site with his exacting eye and strong language skills, add user-friendly and profit-generating functionality, or even completely overhaul your window on the world with a basic redesign.

6 comments:

Diana Young, RD, LD, CDE said...

Mike,
That's a great list and yes you are a great writer and vlogger. Keep up the good work. Such an interesting and vivacious guy.

Anonymous said...

Mike, thanks for the plugs of both Iowa Avenue and Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers.

I like your site, so keep up the good work.

Why don't you write a blog on IA featuring one of your videos?

Eric S. said...

Thanks Mike. I signed up for Good Reads, lots of fun. I enjoy your site, you always have good information.

ChaCha Fance said...

Thanks for the list. I'm a member of a few of those, might check out some though.

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

Thanks for the information on the sites. I need to look into them. Right now I mainly do blog catalog and a little digg so need to grasp more of this. Thanks for including my site too. I think you have a great site and I enjoy visiting. I like your videos as well!

Anonymous said...

Mike,
You hit the nail on the head here. Young people have found the value in social networking with sitge like Facebook and MySpace. The other you mention show that this is taking off in niche direction now and make us much more social neighbors that we were in the past.