Social networks have fundamental properties that emerge from relationships between nodes. Networks are dynamic and self-organizing, with dramatic changes possible at thresholds. Information spreads through weak ties that connect different networks and groups. As networks grow, they do not follow a normal distribution but rather a power law distribution where a few hubs, or "super nodes", emerge to connect many others through preferences. The new model of communication is many-to-many, with both opportunities and challenges in reaching and strategizing for potential audiences.

1. How Social Networks Work Dr. Pamela Rutledge Director Media Psychology Research Center Email: [email_address]

2. A Knowledge Society

4. Fundamental Properties It’s the Relationships that Matter

6. Fundamental Properties Complex systems are self-organizing

7. Fundamental Properties Networks are dynamic

8. Fundamental Properties Dramatic change at thresholds

9. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about social networks?

13. Will the Nodes Be Connected?

14. The Small World Phenomenon Wow! What a Small World! I can’t believe you know my Aunt Betsy in Des Moines!

15. The Small World Studies

16. Who Do You Know… Omaha Boston

17. Who Do You Know Who Knows… Omaha Boston

18. What a Small World! Omaha Boston

20. Knowing and Connecting 2 3 1 First Order Zone Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth were both in the movie: Where the Truth Lies,1995

21. A Networked World Your Social Group: Fully Connected Network The Real World: Network of networks

22. How Information Spreads Weak Tie Weak Tie Weak Connector

23. Why LinkedIn Works Weak Tie Weak Tie Weak Connector

24. Thresholds and Tipping Points Number of links Tipping Point Saturation

28. Information Facilitators or Power Law Beneficiaries? Salesmen Mavens or Enthusiasts Connectors

29. New Rules for Communication Old Model: One-to-Many New Model: Many-to-Many

30. Access is Easy, Strategy is Hard Potential Audience Your Organization