Social Networks constitute a significant part in the Social Media space. Awareness for Social Networks soared when mass consumer Social Networks like Facebook, Friendster and MySpace started taking center stage on the World Wide Web.

Appreciation for the long tail of niche Social Networks has seen the proliferation of many Social Networks, started by businesses who want to connect online, people from particular niche interest groups and communities to deliver certain values to them or fulfill certain business objectives about them.

Here are some examples:

• A car enthusiasts' Social Network connects people interested in topics surrounding cars.
• A travel Social Network may serve to connect people who want to find travel related information or share their experiences.
• A Social Network around a particular product connects owners (and interested parties) of that product who may be interested to review, find out more or write about it.

In a nutshell, a Social Network is a congregation point for people who share certain commonalities.

If your business is the Social Network itself (like the first two examples above), your business objectives could be to...

• ... grow an ecosystem of value providers specific to the niche you are targeting
• ... grow the popularity of the network to level where you can collect a small subscription
• ... conduct targeted advertising, etc...

If you are intending to complement your core business with a Social Network itself (like the third examples above), your business objectives could be to...

• ... increase brand loyalty for your products/services
• ... increase sales leads from user referrals and invitations via the Social Network
• ... lower customer support cost by leveraging on support information on the Social Network, etc...

Essentially the lists are endless; start by talking to us to explore what are the possibilities for your business.