What are people looking for in Social Networking?

We are online for some reason, needing something. I am learning how to tap into that using my 3 online businesses that I have to create content that draws in people that are looking to learn and inspire others to learn. Why we join social networking, how we use social networking, and whats the purpose of a social network in our lives anyway? What exactly why we use social networking, and how will social networking enhance our lives.

This is what I found out.

1. Friendship (to reduce loneliness)

2. To build a contact list

3. To create popularity for business or personal reasons.

4. To Connect with business partners for meetings and social events

5. For Advertisers to see whats hot so they can write about it, talk about it, or market the "hot" product or service themselves.

6. Spammers

7. Police (FBI) also uses social networks to find pedifiles

8. Campus directors to find people on different non-allowed social networks to get them banned from College or Alumni's. If they post different material on their personal post they they did on their applicants.

9. To Stay in touch with families.

10. Talent searches for new artists,(Music, Authors, Models, ect)

Well that's all. I found I use Social Networks to tell the world about my business.

I have learned that giving valuable information in return will get you more respect, than being a unexperienced seller. Selling to strangers without getting to know them first.