Ning - A Profile in Profiles

Ning was introduced to us by a prospective client who "knew nothing about internet marketing." He had been working in restaurants for years and wanted to create a Myspace for his 400 employees. Though we didn't feel like this would be the best option, it did set us in motion to figure what would be and we came up with Ning. Let's take a look at what Ning is and how you might use it.

Ning allows anyone to create their own branded social network. It is built on a scalable php/java platform that can be downloaded and customized to your heart's content or hosted on their servers. Because the conversation and the forum are an integral part of Ning, you also have to have strong content strategies in place to get people to have that conversation. One of the largest exit points we see on sites are when there is a forum with no one on it.

Looking at it as a strategic marketing device, we plan on recommending it to clients who feel their customers or constituents are interested enough in their product and services to have an active discussion about it. It isn't for everyone. Beware the huge amount of orphaned networks as you roam Ning. It also isn't for an organization that has problems getting content developed. If you are having trouble updating your website, then the last thing you need is another place that isn't being nurtured as well.

So Green Chair will be experimenting with Ning over the next couple of months and we hope to report good things.

What do you think? Have you tried any social networks? Are they a great way to communicate with people and market your business online?

Some good Ning profiles

FOBOH
http://blog.ning.com/