Social networking tools are proving to be invaluable marketing and engagement platforms for the smart small businesses which have embraced them.

This BBC report provides some anecdotal insight into how several small businesses in the US have benefited by adopting and adapting to the powerful networking potential of websites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Even before you’ve fully understood the fuss around Facebook, along comes yet another social networking tool that has got the web-enabled generation all aflutter.

If you haven’t even heard of Twitter, there’s no need to feel bad – its still a very recent phenomenon, even when measured in Internet time.  But it is a rapidly growing phenomenon and could be a useful tool to grow your professional connections.  So do check out CIO magazine’s quick and easy guide on how to Twitter for business people.