While social networking may have started as a way to make personal friends, it is now considered an essential business tool. Along with online marketplaces, social networks help career-minded individuals connect with people or organizations that need their skills. Whether you are looking for a modeling career, performance gigs, or photography shoots, social networks can help you advance in your profession.

As an example, let's take a look at a social network for models, model's photographers, and other fashion industry professionals. This social network connects models with photographers, hair stylists, makeup artists, and wardrobe specialists. Agents from all over the world post events and work opportunities on the site. Models post their photos in a virtual model book. Then agents and models make the connections.

Every social networking site has a set of rules and regulations that participants must follow. For the modeling site members must be at least 13 years old. Each participant must submit four different quality photo images. The site will not allow provocative photos of members who are under 18 years old. Photos must be less than 2MB and more than 200px in width. The world modeling book does not allow pornographic material. Photos may not show genital organs, may not depict horror, may not include any sign of blood, and may not glamorize the smoking of tobacco.

Model photos must show the models face clearly, and at least one of the four required photos must be a full body shot. Photographers must submit at least four different photos of adult human models, including at least two different models or two different locations. Clothing designers must show at least two of their finished designs being worn by models. Hair and makeup artists must submit photos of two different models, and all four photos must show different hairstyles.

People who are casting photo shoots specify the type of artists needed, for example, model or makeup artist. They say where and when the artist is needed, whether a male or female is needed, if there will be nudity, and how much the job pays. The listings may specify the type of shoot, for example, a fashion event or a magazine shoot. Artists can search through the listings and make contact if they are interested.

Additional specifications on models include height, weight, skin and eye color, body measurements, and hair length and color.

Just like any social network, the modeling site has a forum where members can discuss issues related to their trades. Contests provide opportunity to select and show the day's best photos.

Professional model's photographers are key to the success of the modeling site. This online photo model book lets casting directors build their own model books from which they can choose the right model (or related fashion artist) from a wide selection. A social networking site for models and photographers gives artist access to work all over the world without having to travel from casting call to casting call. This is just one example of how social networking can help people advance their careers.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.