I heard from Scott M. a couple of months ago. I went to college with the guy and I’m relatively sure that since I graduated in 1989, I haven’t seen or heard from him. While Scott M. was a nice guy, he was more of an acquaintance than a friend category.

So why did I hear from him? It’s part of the new craze toward social networking that is sweeping the nation ­– and that may eventually redefine how people in the kitchen and bath industry do business. Social networking breaks down just as easily as it sounds: it’s networking socially, online.

While social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook have been around for a while now, the professional networking site LinkedIn.com is a relatively recent addition to the online networking scene. Predicated on the notion of seven degrees of separation, the site is about having a formal forum to network with people you know, and the people they know – not just friends from college, but professional acquaintances, colleagues and clients – for mutual benefit.

When I first registered on LinkedIn, I did so because so many people had contacted me asking me to link to them. Yet, I hadn’t pursued it, in part because of time constraints, and in part because I wasn’t quite sure why I needed to.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t need anything else to do. I’m busy, I’m content, I have a lot going on in my life and I really don’t need another project! And social networking can be a project.

However, what I’ve since learned is that it can also be a fabulous avenue to bring clients to you.

Why Get ‘Linkedin?’

So, is LinkedIn.com something you should consider? What does LinkedIn.com do for you and your business and why should you join?

In search of an answer, I went to the site with renewed vigor. I filled out my profile, uploaded my photo and then wasn’t quite sure what to do. Did I just sit back and wait for people to contact me? Should I contact them? Unfortunately, the site doesn’t have a “Getting Started” section, so, in search of answers, I read the site’s “About LinkedIn.”

It said, “When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you. Your network consists of your connections, your connections’ connections, and the people they know, linking you to thousands of qualified professionals.”