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I am a true Facebook fan. My grandchildren think it's cool that I have more Facebook friends than they do and that I have many followers on my Twitter page. (They also tell their friends that their grandpa has the fastest thumbs in the west and that I am a great texter.)

I mainly use Facebook to keep in touch with new and old friends and family. But I sometimes resent when people blatantly utilize it for constant business updates. I recognize that the use of social media in the business world is increasing dramatically, yet the tools available have not sufficiently addressed the marketing possibilities.

One Logan company has introduced a new product that utilizes the popular social networking concept for e-commerce and business. SocialSAM.com is an e-commerce enabled private social networking platform. SocialSAM was designed from the ground up to do business and engage customers and potential customers with the company brand.

I listened attentively as Chris Scholle, SocialSAM president, and Michael Morgan, sales and marketing director, explained how the platform provides a branded anchor that draws in the interactions from other cluttered conversations such as Facebook or Twitter. Once people are talking inside your brand, you can capitalize on those conversations through built-in subscription and e-commerce tools. SocialSAM is perfect for businesses, universities, athletic groups, non-profits, and any group with an emotionally-connected following. I like that SocialSAM.com converts social networking from a potential distraction to a valid business tool.

Chris founded the company with George Tran. George is also the original creator of 1shopping cart.com. With headquarters in Logan, SocialSAM.com has principles and staff throughout the world and is a true Internet-based company. Chris told me that the company's mission is to help clients use social networking to improve customer relationships and increase value.

Logan, UT, (October 19, 2009) – SocialSAM , a social media company, has released its new SocialSAM private social networking platform, version 1.5. The launch of SocialSAM provides a full-featured private social networking platform, combined with e-commerce and shopping cart capabilities. The SocialSAM platform can function as a stand-alone web site replacement, or it can be connected to existing web sites to provide new social networking and site membership capabilities. By embracing the new social networking environment, companies can turn their customers into allies and champions, leading to a stronger bottom line.

The influence of social media in the business world is increasing dramatically, yet the tools available have not addressed the economic realities of business. SocialSAM is designed to bring companies into the social media age, while still maintaining the transactional relationships businesses require. According to George Tran, CEO and company co-founder, "SocialSAM helps companies re-invent themselves, providing a greater level of customer interaction and corporate transparency than previously imagined." "SocialSAM has all the usual collection of interactive social elements you expect to find on a social networking platform," says Chris Scholle, SocialSAM President, "but it also gives businesses a chance to monetize that social traffic. Now, instead of being a distraction, social networking is a valid business tool."

SocialSAM is a fully hosted private social networking platform. Capabilities include forums, groups, member profiles, blogs, member connections, articles, e-courses, and downloads. However, with the introduction of e-commerce capabilities into the network, users can also define multiple subscription levels, allocating content based on membership levels. A shopping cart and webstore are fully integrated, allowing users to sell products directly from the social network. Members can also post classifieds and wishlist items (reverse classifieds), either free, or at a charge determined by the network owner. All access to all sections, and even individual content elements and pricing, can be controlled by the subscription definitions.

For more information about SocialSAM, go to www.SocialSAM.com, or call us toll-free at 1-866-927-5216.

SocialSAM was founded by George Tran, the original creator of 1shoppingcart.com, and Chris Scholle, a long-time web-based entrepreneur. With headquarters in Logan, Utah, but principles and staff throughout the world, we are truly an Internet company. Our mission is to help companies use social networking to improve customer relationships and increase customer value. Come join our social network for business at SocialSAM.net.