New media tricks are not just for kids. Corporations, small businesses, and individuals alike are entering the blogosphere, posting on YouTube, MySpace, LinkedIn (which is like MySpace for grown-ups), and "talking to strangers" worldwide via a wide range of online channels. Does all this leave you wanting to retrench to your manual typewriter and #2 pencils? Here are some trends and facts you can't ignore.

The next generation (coined "Generation We") is adept at multi-tasking. Although the amount of TV they watch each day has stayed the same (3 hours), they also spend an average of one hour with the computer daily, nearly two hours listening to music, 50 minutes with video games and 45 minutes reading.

At least 380 social networking sites -- connected by business, social and other interests -- currently exist.

So what does this all mean? We have many new ways to expand our business and social networks, reach clients, and entertain ourselves...and they're not just passing fads.

Have any insights or trends you'd like to share with theONswitch? Please feel free to e-mail them to us or comment at theONblog.

The total time people spent watching YouTube since it started was the equivalent of 9,305 years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

OK. I'm not as much of an Internet celebrity as lonelygirl15 or geriatric1927, but I do sometimes post entertaining tidbits online. Here's my latest.

I first met Sharon Rowe, the CEO of Eco-Bags Products, Inc., at a networking event more than a year ago. A recent issue of 30-Second Current (this newsletter) jogged her memory, and she got back in touch when looking for a marketing/PR firm. Now, we are working together to make the world a greener place.

We called Don Levine of Bark Park (a dog day care center) to offer him a few free boxes of pet products that randomly wound up in our offices after an event. Don took us up on the offer, we kept in touch via phone and e-mail, and he decided to hire theONswitch to produce a "Puppy Love" Valentines Day party -- which resulted in two feature articles and a CBS-880 interview!

The 10 Volts Guide, "Don't Be Shy...Turning Strangers into Alliances" will be available in mid- March. Contact us to get yours. Only the first 50 responders will get a free copy.

theONswitch will host a unique new networking event on June 19. Guests at HotWired can request the types of business people they want to meet that night, and a password- protected online community will enable them to view and connect with other guests the month before and after the event.
Talk to us about sponsorships or hosting a "HotWired" event for your organization too!

Need a crash course in social networking and new media for grown-ups? On April 19, the Westchester County Association hosts a "Lunch & Learn" on how to use new media to grow your business.

Eastward Ho! Woodbury, Long Island is the site of Results-Driven Marketing: Strategies That Work, hosted by The New York Enterprise Report.

Still confused about what "Social Media" is? Here's a great e-book that gives some great examples in user- friendly language.

March is all about the wearing o' the green and the living o' the green. Learn how green businesses are making the green stuff -- while helping preserve our planet.