Social Networking sites focus on helping you build an online community of people and fans who share your interests and activities, or connecting you with those are interested in exploring your interests and activities. Social networking sites are a great way to interact and share information with fans with a click of a button. With thousands of sites to choose from these days I’ve put together a list of the Top 7 Social Networking Sites all Urban Artists should be on!

1. XXL Block Talk
http://www.xxlblocktalk.com

XXL Block Talk gives members the opportunity to post their own blogs and profiles, also gives daily updated videos of artists interviewed in the magazine. This site is great because it gives members the chance to connect with “the global hip-hop community.”

2. Block Savvy
http://www.blocksavvy.com

Block Savvy is a one-stop shop where you can do all your online business - communicate with friends, build social networks, play games, import photos and videos from Flickr.com and YouTube.com, even import your profile data from MySpace. Created by former Roc-A-Fella Exec Damon Dash, you will frequently find exclusives available to members like Jim Jones own Byrdgang Channel.

3. AllHipHop.com
http://www.allhiphop.com

AllHipHop.com is the most widely read Hip-Hop entity in the world, reaching millions of unique visitors per month. AllHipHop.com has been delivering daily news alerts to music industry tastemakers and hip-hop lovers two-way pagers, cellphones and email addresses since 1998. The Allhiphop community forums offer an excellent place to discuss entertainment, have collective arguments, and musical conversations, and showcase your own talent!

4. Reverb Nation
http://www.reverbnation.com

Reverb Nation is designed for artists. Deep, empowering stats and information on your fan base help you make decisions on where to tour and how effectively you are growing your business. Keep your page up to date and export pieces of it to other sites - imagine only having to enter shows one time for all your web locations! And GREAT WIDGETS GALORE!

5. Facebook
http://www.facebook.com

Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you.

• Upload photos
• Get the latest news from your friends
• Post videos on your profile
• Tag your friends
• Use privacy settings to control who sees your info
• Join a network to see people who live, study, or work around you (and you can promote show here too!)

Now that Facebook as unrolled their Artists Pages there is no excuse to use this platform to stay connected with your fans.

Friend Christina: Search for Christina Duren

6. BlackPlanet
http://www.blackplanet.com

Even though many may think that BlackPlanet is just a dating site, but there are tons of connections still there to be made. BlackPlanet is the largest online community for African Americans. It is your online source for African American news, community, technology, culture, music, entertainment, and more. BlackPlanet.com is your place to meet and connect with African Americans around the country. Chat or post photos and videos to share your black experience. Look for other African Americans who are sharing theirs - even if you’re searching for news about what’s hot in music, fashion, sports and events or looking for the buzz in music, business, politics and trends.

And Lucky Number #7.. Twitter
http://www.twitter.com

Twitter is a service for friends, family, fans and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Twitter is a great way for artists to show their personalities, create connections with new media content creators, and send your thoughts, observations, & goings-on in your day. Find Christina: www.twitter.com/cyberprurban

Here is to your Success!!!

Christina