Who knew that when Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook in 2004 that today it would be would have an active monthly user base of over 800 million people today, be the third largest United States based Web Company and be the second most accessed website in the world.  It has allowed us to share, communicate and market on a massive global scale.   The ingenious concept has changed so much of how we communicate with others and how we conduct business.  It has changed the face of social media and internet marketing forever.

On February 1, 2012 the company filed an IPO (initial public offering) to the SEC in an attempt to raise between $5 and $10 billion dollars of revenue and make Facebook (FB) a publicly traded company.   In the IPO is a letter from Zuckerberg to existing and possible investors explaining FB’s mission and future goals.  It is no secret that Zuckerberg is hoping that when the stock hits the market somewhere around May of 2012 that Facebook will become the most valuable internet company in the world.

The IPO’s underwriting and investing has a slew of investment banks lined up.  They are not the only one’s anticipating the possible financial implications of Facebook going public.  The State of California stands to profit on the capital gains paid by overnight Silicon Valley millionaires and the future state taxes of the Facebook headquarters located in Palo Alto.

While many are anxiously awaiting the chance to buy up stocks, others are leery.  History shows that the dot com bubble can not only burst overnight, but that IPO’s are anything but consistent.  Although FB continually strives to be a “force” what may seem like a sure thing to some, can prove to be a big disappointment in the blink of an eye, while others have been highly profitable.

Economic investor’s advise to do your homework and look for a company to invest in that has long term plans and goals for the future;   a company that plans to be around for the long haul.  Do not base your investment decision on a get rich quick frame of mind.