Networking? Or making the net work?

I am now on:
myspace (http://www.myspace.com/vickiwho),
facebook(http://www.facebook.com/p/Victoria_Masters/644296684),
blogger (http://victoriamasters.blogspot.com/),
gather (http://victoriamasters.gather.com/),
and
squidoo(http://www.squidoo.com/victoriamasters and http://www.squidoo.com/chessart).

I also have a storefront at Lulu (a publishing website) http://stores.lulu.com/victoria_masters. All of these sites offer networking capabilities and also the ability to post one's thoughts, dreams, and for profit websites.

So, am I networking, by hooking up with friends from high school, fellow artists and writers, strangers etc? Or am I wasting time that I should use for other pursuits?

I'd like to think that by getting the word out about some capitalistic ventures I am attempting, it will make a difference to the sales, etc... But will it? Can I make the net work by networking?

There is always a word of mouth ideal that people want to achieve- having a few great friends who spread the word to all their friends and then they tell their friends etc... I, like everyone else with something to sell, would love to invest nothing but time and get sales- but am I just wasting my time instead? I suppose, only time will tell...