Relationships are challenging. But navigating relationships in the new era of social media brings with it a whole new set of challenges (and now a whole new host of web sites.)

In the past few days, I’ve had two friends change their relationship status on Facebook to announce a new relationship that has been going on for less than a month. One of the relationships has already ended (and I hear is now back on again.) I’ve got my fingers crossed for the second one.

So, it shouldn’t have surprised me at all to flip on the TV on Saturday morning and see a news story on CBS about “How to Delete Your Ex From Your Online Life.” Breaking up is hard to do, but apparently there are lots of new web sites and apps at-the-ready to help you out.

1. Blockyourex.com

Go to BlockYourEx.com and type in the names and social networking usernames of up to five exes, and install the blocker to make every online image and mention of them disappear. The blocker works for Facebook, Twitter, in Google search results and more. It takes only a matter of seconds to download and is compatible with most Web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome).

Your ex has no way of knowing you’ve installed the “Ex-Blocker.” And, should you reconcile, it’s quick and easy to uninstall!

2. EraseUrX iPhone App (99 cents)

Yes, there’s an app for that! The EraseUrX iPhone app will help you create an e-mail, send a screw-you photo from your library or camera, or record your own voice message. Then it will erase their number from your phone – let’s face it, that’s the hardest part!

3)  iDump4You.com

Yes, you can pay someone to do the breaking up for you. Seriously. For a fee, someone from iDump4U.com will personally call your partner and break it off. Fill out a simple form on the site, make a payment, and within 24 hours, the deed will be done. Fees range from $10 for a basic break up to $25 to break off an engagement to $50 to initiate a divorce.

4) Foursquare and Avoidr.org

Location-based social networking apps like FourSquare are all the rage with over 2 million users updating where they are, so it was only a matter of time until somebody developed a product to deal with the backlash. Avoidr is a website that enables you to follow your Foursquare friends, then identify the places they aren’t checked into.

5) IDoNowIDont.com

And finally, there’s the aptly named IDoNowIDon’t.com where someone ending an engagement or marriage can sell or auction off his or her your engagement ring. Mara Opperman, cofounder of the site, says its average transaction price is $2,500, usually 30 to 60 percent below retail, so it can also be a place for those planning an engagement to snag a deal on a ring. The site is full of interesting back stories detailing relationships gone bad.

Jill McBride is our latest contributing author at Loyalty Truth and will be sharing thoughts on public relations, direct, loyalty & relationship marketing and will offer up a few surprises as well. Jill is Founder & CEO of JZMcBride & Associates, a Cincinnati based firm which provides marketing, direct marketing, public relations and event planning services and consultation. She has an impressive list of clients which you can find here and publishes the Spin Within, a highly entertaining blog that’s worth a read. Thanks to Jill for this first post offering a new “Spin Within” on relationship management.

My  philosophy about personal development is simple: never stop learning, remain teachable, read lots (kindle, LCD, or paper) and network with people who know something you don’t. I am also a disciplined goal-setter which serves as a compass for the activities just mentioned. This might not be enough to compete with Tony Robbins for self-help supremacy, but it has worked reasonably well for me so far.

The Loyalty Truth blog is evolving in concert with this same philosophy, and I am delighted to associate myself with a select group of colleagues who will share expertise and opinion in their particular area of customer-centric marketing.  The group debuts tomorrow with Tom Rapsas, the first of these soon-to-be-famous “guest posters”.

Tom Rapsas

Tom Rapsas is a writer, creative director and strategist who has worked for some of the biggest and most respected direct and loyalty marketing firms in the U.S. He has also written numerous trade articles on issues related to loyalty and direct marketing.

During his career, Tom has developed advertising and strategic solutions for many of the world’s top brands, including IBM, Citibank, Merck, AT&T, Avis, EarthLink, Eddie Bauer, Home Depot, AIG and Verizon. He has worked for several prominent direct and relationship marketing agencies including the New York offices of Wunderman, Ogilvy & Mather Direct and FCB Direct/FCBi, MRM Worldwide and Frequency Marketing.

I’m also pretty sure that he can outrun me over 10K, though that might not be at the top of his resume!

Tom will be writing on many topics including how strong creative development leads to customer engagement and the many ways in which communications strategy and execution drives results in loyalty and relationship marketing programs. Tom will also share case studies illustrating the highs and lows of how business is using social media and communities to engage Generation Y, build brand loyalty, and achieve a range of objectives from acquisition to retention.

Welcome Tom!

The Loyalty Guide III is here!

The publishers of The Wise Marketer, one of the most widely read sites dedicated to the loyalty and relationship marketing industry, will release the Loyalty Guide III at the end of March 2008.

The guide is self described as “The ultimate research report on customer loyalty theory, principles, methods, strategies, best practice and case studies”. I have to agree that it is indeed an excellent resource and serves a purpose to educate those new to the business as well as those who are in knee-deep and are seeking to stay informed on innovative tactics and best practices.

I am honored to have been asked to contribute to the section entitled “What the Loyalty Experts Think” in this year’s edition. Have a look for yourself. You can order your own copy of the Guide by Clicking Here. >>> Bill Hanifin