DISQUS

Michael · 2 years ago

I agree, although I'm biased for obvious reasons. Check out Passions Network (http://www.passionsnetwork.com). It is a network of over 100+ individual social network/online dating sites, each focused on a specific area of interest or similarity. People can 'network' with others who share something in common with one another, whether that be a love of pets, a love of movies, a love of Sci Fi, the fact that they are shy, etc. The list of all 100+ sites can be seen here: http://www.passionsnetwork.com/c_resources.html

Ivan · 2 years ago

'what I did all day when I hung out with my mates on the common'
That phrase brings back memories - but would it mean anything to anyone who didn't have a 'common' to hang out on. I'm from Tunbridge Wells, big common town. You?

nic · 2 years ago

Ha - I'm from Gerrards Cross - small common lots of activity!

I kind of hoped people would guess roughly what a common is from the context.

Philip Wilkinson · 2 years ago

Do you think the big networks - e.g. myspace will continue to introduce vertical elements to their network - e.g. Myspace Music (already), Myspace travel etc...?

nic · 2 years ago

Thanks Phil. I am sure the big networks will introduce vertical elements. It is up to you and the other new entrants to innovate and be better. You have a head starte though - firstly these guys haven't got their core business model licked yet and second a pure play has the advantage of focus - it would be hard for MySpace to combine their music and consumer electronics a la Crowdstorm for example

Joe · 2 years ago

When social networks center around an affinity, it seems to me they are doing little more than forums (some have alluded to Forum 2.0).

Any interest, hobby, and subject already has message boards and yahoo groups. The vertical social networks have to compete with these existing forums. Unless there is a compelling reason to "network," the members of these communities may not have incentive to join "Myspace for ..."

This is where I believe face-to-face interaction is key. Social networks should really be bridging the offline to online. Communities that have regular f2f exhibit a dynamic that a simple message board cannot meet. Whereas an affinity group may be content with the tools that already exist.

Not saying it can't be done... just that it will be difficult to compete with existing forums (which already have community, search engine placement, etc). Another point to consider is that forum software will evolve to become more social. Each member can already have a profile and private messaging. Just give them the ability to add each other as friends, and you've got a social network.

nic · 2 years ago

I agree that adding an offline component is very important. WAYN and Trusted Places do this well with parties.

Competition from forums is a good point. Social nets typically offer a better proposition by having a better site, but the forums could upgrade.

johnyD · 2 years ago

yep i can confirm that WAYN is one of the best travel social network...cool site ;)

Tim Benjamin · 2 years ago

Hi Nic,

As I can never resist an advertising opportunity, I thought I should mention that you'll soon be able to add another to the list of sites with a specific objective. In a few weeks time, Flirtnik will provide online dating for the creatively-minded in the UK.

Tim

Philip Wilkinson · 2 years ago

Well, forums have never been "mainstream" really Joe. A true mass market consumer proposition happens when my parents can use it easily and liked it! The first time they did this with price comparison, I knew something was brewing in the air..

So, a forum has always been seen as a place where the technical literate go and ask very technical questions to each other in a geeky way. That's the "perception" at least.

Due to this, you need to do a lot more than "upgrade them to let people add friends" before they start to compete with an affinity based, offline enhancing social network.

Mark · 2 years ago

It hasn't caught on in Australia (or in the UK, by the looks of things), however Yelp.com are setting a precedent by paying users to review businesses, in order to build up a critical mass in cities that they are not established in
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/10/yelp_re...

Cheers,
Mark
www.raveaboutit.com.au

nick wright · 2 years ago

Hi there Nic
This is not a comment but I have been reading back thru your blog articles with great interest.
I would like to contact you but I dont see any other way on this blog than thru the comments box so please excuse me for doing this.
I am not sure whether you have looked at and registered at exiva.com but the article above really took my attention and in a way emphasised what I am tryiing to achieve with exiva- namely penetrate a market that is aware of social networks but belive that they are purely for the younger generation.
And besides, social network is still the wrong term for exiva. Its like your first page you read when you click on the internet- to see whos been doing waht with their digital lives. A bit like Star trek- in the future, a control panel where you can catch up with video calls or other news- all relayed thru either a pc or a mobile interface.
exiva.com at the moment is purely a very simple interface to prove that I can at least get a product up and running. What I need now is hard cash to develop and nurture it over the next 12-18 months.
In your experience of the industry, do you know of anyone who might be interested in a slightly longer play?
Once again, apologies for hijacking the comments facility,
regards
Nick