Andy Lopata, networking specialist, talks about the rise of social networking for business gain.
I am not looking to set up a big website. Niche networks have always been the case; it’s never been about big networks. It’s about quality and interest to other members.
Roubi & Roubi is the London based fashion designer behind RoubiNETWORK.com, a small, active and popular social network for his friends from creative sectors, and culture vultures from the business world.
We met through Ecademy a couple of years ago, but the future according to Roubi is niche. He now participates less on Ecademy than he did and uses LinkedIn rarely. While Roubi needs to maintain a presence on MySpace as the choice of artists, he is still very selective about its use.
In contrast to these large networks, RoubiNetwork.com has 260 members, with a long waiting list and he doesn’t want to grow it any further.
Roubi isn’t alone in his belief that niche networks represent the future of social networking. Social networks are growing at a fast rate, with publications such as Business Week and The Sunday Times featuring targeted networks. In fact, “I am not looking to set up a big website. Niche networks have always been the case; it’s never been about big networks. It’s about quality and interest to other members.
Roubi l’Roubi is the London based fashion designer behind RoubiNETWORK.com, a small, active and popular social network for his friends from creative sectors, and culture vultures from the business world
We have hundreds of social media apps and it’s tweaked applications out there. This social network has been raised a lot like people are now searching for modded applications of original application like Twitter, SnapChat, Facebook, Spotify, etc, etc and many more.
We can get all these type of modded, tweaked social media application in a third party store called, “AppValley VIP Store“. It’s a great place to get all these risen social media applications for free.
We met through Ecademy a couple of years ago, but the future according to Roubi is niche. He now participates less on Ecademy than he did and uses LinkedIn rarely. While Roubi needs to maintain a presence on MySpace as the choice of artists, he is still very selective about its use.
In contrast to these large networks, RoubiNetwork.com has 260 members, with a long waiting list and he doesn’t want to grow it any further.
Roubi isn’t alone in his belief that niche networks represent the future of social networking. Social networks are growing at a fast rate, with publications such as Business Week and The Sunday Times featuring targeted networks. In fact, The Sunday Times ran a report in March suggesting that a second internet ‘boom’ is on the way, one that will eclipse the last. A common feeling is that any boom will revolve around niche networks.
While the big networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace are gathering the plaudits and the bulk of the media attention, the growth of small networks has been dramatic in the last year. Technology such as Ning is making it easy and accessible for people to set up their own social networks.
Sean Weafer is the Irish ‘r’evolutionary’ behind Rebel Island. “The idea came from the fact that people are rebelling against the old institutional values”, said Sean. “In Rebel Island, we are attracting people who are looking for new values and new ways of evolving both professionally and personally.”
Sean’s drive behind creating a social network is to bring together like-minded people to discuss and debate ideas that evolve individuals, leaders and organisations.
“By creating a social network, we get to synergise and leverage many brains internationally. Before the growth of this technology, it would have been so much more difficult, inefficient and expensive to do so; particularly across time zones.”
The efficiencies provided by the social web are a key driver for many business-focused networks. People are able to interact, research, get feedback and even enter into new business relationships without leaving their homes or offices.
Scottish accountant Bill Morrow formed his social network, Angels Den, a year ago. Born out of the frustration of not being able to raise funding for his own business venture, Bill founded the site to make the connection between entrepreneurs and financiers so much easier.
“When we were looking for finance, we approached all of the usual brokers, attended countless seminars and paid several thousands of pounds for introductions to financiers and got nothing”, said Bill.
Angels Den offers tips and help to entrepreneurs and business plans are created through a template that has been designed to get the information that angels want to see.
Bill attributes the site’s initial success largely to how the network makes life easier for both parties. “What it does is maximise the angels’ minimal resource – time. Rather than travel all over the country meeting entrepreneurs, they can log in and see the latest initiatives online.
“In the meantime, entrepreneurs have low-cost access to so many more potential investors than they have ever had and valuable feedback that helps them to hone their ideas.”
It’s not just the social networking that’s key, a number of networks recognise the value of the content they provide and the different ways they offer members to engage.
As Rebel Island grows, Sean’s plan is to create a ‘Rebel Council’ of thought leaders who deliver regular insights that contribute to the journey of the members. Future plans include webinars, special interest groups, Rebel Radio podcasts and Rebel Retreats.
Roubi sees four key components to engaging all members. “Some people are stimulated by reading blogs, others by looking at new products. We also now have an online magazine where people can submit and read articles on a range of relevant subjects”, he said.
“It all helps me keep people engaged and reinforces the brand”. These three components, together with the vital, fourth component, offline networking events, helps Roubi keep his name in the minds of his network.
Despite the relatively small number of members and their global spread, Roubi still welcomes over 100 members to each of his events, which he sees as a testament to the value of a small, membership. It is also where he sees most of the business on the site generated.
“One member told me that it is the only network he is on where he has ever sold anything. Anyone who appreciates their time will never be a member of a big network, it’s just not sustainable. They all have people who are trying to flog you something, people who are spamming you.
Like Roubi, Bill also feels that, whether niche or not, online networks can’t operate in isolation. “Real world events have proven to be just as valuable. We have just run a ‘SpeedFunding’ event, where 24 entrepreneurs met 24 angels.
“The response to this has been phenomenal. There was a tremendous buzz and, following the first event, there were 62 further meetings. At this early stage, 16 out of the 24 entrepreneurs present are hopeful of securing a deal.
“It’s a crazy kind of networking. It allows the Angels to meet so many people. Similarly, it gives the power back to the entrepreneurs, allowing them to gauge whether they’d want the entrepreneur on board.”
So, are niche networks the way forward? The three networks above are driven by individuals with a passion and have each produced some success. Their subject focus is key to this, as is the drive of the people behind them. Not all networks will be as successful.
The functionality provided by Ning is quite basic and crude. I am a member of four Ning networks now but only visit one of them on a regular basis. They look the same, feel the same and have to fight to stand out from the pack. Perhaps it is still the case that the networks with the budget to look and feel different will be the ones that succeed, irrespective of niche.
With so many networks fighting for less and less of our free time, it is the networks that draw you back time and again that will keep our attention. The large social networks, which have the critical mass to be talked about and referred to, will continue to grow and help people grow their network base. However, networks where you find people of a like mind, discussing the issues that are relevant to you will perhaps draw people in more regularly.
What is clear is that the functionality online won’t do it alone. Social networks need to be constantly innovating, providing rich content and bringing members together if they are to be a key part of their members’ lives.
Maybe then, we’ll see another boom.
