How do you have the time to write to us? Shouldn’t you be closing a deal?

The Internet can be an effective sales tool. Your ROI can be high, and with a bunch of free stuff out there, TCO is low. So, if you’re the go-to guy on your sales team, read on.

These days, there are a number of effective networking social networks to help boost the close ratio for the Jerry Maguire in us all.

Social networking communities have proliferated in recent years, with facebook.com, myspace.com, friendster.com, and similar sites. They let you post a profile where you can describe yourself, your interests, and your background. The problem with these sites is that they are not really geared towards business networks. They cater to a younger crowd, and the content reflects that. In fact, there have been anecdotal reports of companies checking profiles on these sites to learn a bit more about applicants than their resumes might reveal. Sometimes what they have found has killed the deal.

Enter the latest trend, business social networks. These have a value proposition that might hit your sweet spot. They are the Internet equivalent of traditional business networks like the Chamber of Commerce or BNI. You start by posting your profile, which is a little like a resume. You indicate where you work (and have worked), where you went to school, your certifications, professional affiliations, your website, and your contact information.

You invite folks to join your network, and they in turn grow your network by association. These sites also let you post personal recommendations for other members. Once your network grows, if you need a job or need to hire someone, you can search your network and see who matches. Because you find them through someone you know or someone who knows someone you know, you feel better about the connection. It’s not what you know, but who you know.

Sometimes folks don’t see a point in joining your network and will refuse your invitation. Damn you, Warren Buffett. But this choice lets you control who is in your immediate network, not your six degrees of separation. Essentially, if someone is in your network, you are vouching for them. Most of these sites allow you to contact folks through their internal message service.

Some sites support live chat, subgroups, blogs, classifieds, and web statistics, so you know who’s been checking you out. Now, that's a wacky idea.

Most of these sites don’t charge for basic features, like setting up a profile. They make some of their money through banner ads. You may have to pay for premium services, such as searching the entire database.

I know what you’re thinking…Half my advertising works; I just don't know which half. So, which is right for you? To this propeller head, Linkedin.com, Xing.com, and Ryze.com are most useful for building networks, establishing a trusted group of associates, or job hunting. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

qAlias.com is geared towards independent representation. This site can be useful if you are a salesperson looking for products or services to represent or for those that are looking for representatives. What’s great is that for $10 a month they will put you at the top of Google or Yahoo! searches on your name. Nobody remembers number 2, right?

FastpitchNetworking.com is all about your next gig. It is a marketing site where you promote your services and describe yourself via your elevator spiel. This is useful for folks who sell services like insurance, banking, financial services, and public relations. Just think what Apple could do with that.

So, you’ve outgrown Myspace, but there’s still room for you on the Esphere. Before you know it, you and all your new on-line buddies will be sitting in the hot tub together closing deals and making money!