Create Your Own Social Network

Ning

Ning is a platform that allows you to create your own social network based on a particular topic, interest, hobby or industry. By building groups and adding members you can create original content for the community, and stay connectedwith others.  All of the content shared on your site can be syndicated and is great for SEO.

Buddy Press

Buddy Press is a plugin for WordPress that allows you to create your own social networking site within your main website. Buddy Press allows you to create a private, members only backend for members to write and read blog posts,  send private or group messages, develop a forum, and more.

Building Content

When it comes to building content, naturally it will have to start with you, but the key is to not make it all about you. Identify a few people as “content writers” to provide unique and interesting content on a weekly (or daily) basis.  Other members of your network will be able to see this content, comment on it and also add fresh content based on what is already there or on topics that have not been discussed.

Getting members

In order to get members you want to have a strategy. Members are not going to automatically come to you, so you’ll want what is referred to as a “hook” to generate attention for your site.  This includes but is not limited to; using visual elements, explaining to new members what to do, promoting your site via other social platforms and most importantly have your mission written out. With the right mission and SEO in place it will be easier to advise what type of members you are looking for. In return it will be easier for people to know if this is a site they should join and share content on.