Sociosophy

Guest post by Chris Rodgers – @wizardElite

First off I have to say that I really love the concept behind FriendFeed. Having a place where a user can aggregate all of the content they consume from a host of other sites is quite functional. Plus, with the integration of a Social Network, users get to see content that their friends/connections find valuable and interesting. This provides a tremendous value since users can search for content that they friends find relevant and not have some arbitrary search engine tell us what they think is relevant.  This also provides an amazing opportunity in the search arena that could potentially provide competition to sites like Digg, or even Google for that matter. (more…)

Ok, we normally do reviews. But this is a What The F*ck post regarding ethics, namely business ethics, and Ning. Ning is a platform for creating niche social networks. I love the service, in fact, I’m a member of a few networks (here and here actually).

I’m not sure when it happened, but recently, you can sign in via Ning’s root site, and see the networks you’re a part of. This essentially turns the networks you’re a part of, based on the Ning network, into Groups, and thus making the Ning site the root social network – turning all that hard work to get members to join “your site”, based on their platform, sort of moot.

Here’s what’s wrong with the execution: (more…)

Sometimes going to Twitter meetups, conferences, expos and conventions wearing your Twitter @name tattooed on your forehead just isn’t enough to grow your network and increase your echo distance in the chamber. Hence, directory sites such as WeFollow are a good secondary place to spread yourself thinner amongst your like-tweeted fellows and grow with real, non-spam-bot followers.

The trick to make sure you do this right is by first categorizing yourself, then finding others in those categories that you find interesting. Yea, it’ll take a little leg work, but that’s what building a social network is all about… If you want it to be meaningful anyway.

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Ning.com is used for a number of things, dog owners, crochet addicts, borad game players… But recently, Cyan Banister came up with the idea of using Ning for a good cause, “Fight for Equal Rights”. Inspired by Harvey Milk, she created the Harvey Milk Ning social network, and called on some friends to create a wristband to support the cause. The wristband and the site boast the simple monacre, “NEVER BLEND IN“.

The message of the site is simple, but seemingly complicated, as today’s society is only half on-bard with equality. Not to roll down a road of politics on Sociosophy, I’ll keep it simple and post the main message of the site here:

Minorities of all types have always been in the front lines of the battle for equality under the law. The message and color of the white bracelet honors the life and name of Harvey Milk, who like Martin Luther King was a minority leader whose message of hope transcended the issues of his day.

30 years ago, in perhaps his most important victory, Milk campaigned against The Briggs Initiative, which sought to ban openly gay and lesbian teachers from public schools in California. Because of his fight and the support of millions of voters, Proposition 6 was defeated at the polls in November 1978. His assassination later that same month saddened many across the political spectrum and silenced an important political voice.

Ning is a network of social networks, customizable to include pretty much whatever you want.

There are applications you can add to your “Page”, such as the Twitter Search application, Status Update application, Photo Gallery, Music Jukebox, and even board games. Ning’s all inclusive, and vast feature set, really makes for an unlimited user experience.

Ok, let’s pretend for a moment that I know what a Social Network is, and how Social Media can be great for business.

Step 1 – Build a network of people. You can do this by meeting people at a party, throwing a party, sharing thoughts or ideas online, engaging in conversation… aka: being social. Step 2 – Repeat. Step 3 – Go to Step 2… and so on.

Now, building a social network takes time and energy, but every person-connection made is a valuable one when made through the right means, and when interacted with accordingly.

When mixing Social Networks with Brands, either personal or professional, the same rules apply. Meaningful communication is a two way street in a social network. Twitter is definitely no exception. (more…)