“Does the world need your niche social network site?” asks Josh Mendelsohn of the Better Marketing Blog.
Another Niche Social Network Site?
Mendelsohn describes himself as a “senior level marketer, part time researcher, and most importantly a consumer who likes to give his feedback on all sorts of products, services, brands, etc.” He has this message for those starting a niche social network:
“Dear Mr. or Mrs. Social Network Starter,
“I understand that you and your company have been working on building a social network for months, maybe even years, but most of the people you want to join and use it are not going to be interested. It’s not that the functionality isn’t great, I am sure it is. And we may even sign up to check it out. But we just can’t divide our attention any further and we certainly can’t convince our friends and colleagues and parents and children to move from one place to another.We appreciate your intentions but ask you to refocus your efforts. If Facebook is the new tv, you can be the AMC to our NBC. We are interested and eager to see how you can take Facebook or Twitter or Linkedin to a new level. But we ask you please… Do not make us sign up for a new network. Our dust covered Quora, Plaxo, and G+ (too soon?) accounts send their regards.
Best,Internet users everywhere”
Josh points out the inertia of users, and asks you to appreciate how difficult it will be to entice your potential members and fans to join and interact as you have planned.
Your Take on Niche Social Networks?
What do you think? Does the world need more of niche social networks? Why is yours the exception?
Learn More on Niche Networks
And check out our master page of posts on all aspects of niche social networks — pros and cons, interesting niches, business models, valuation, financing, and lists.