LinkedIn + MySpace = NextCat?
I have a profile on LinkedIn for my editorial/writing work, and one on MySpace for my music. Now, just in case I wanted to knock myself out, I could go join NextCat, which focuses exclusively on the entertainment industry. I'll have to check it out and see what they think they've got that can beat MySpace.
Over the years, I've come across many of these social networks--the Well, Google Groups, Yahoo Groups, Orkut, Friendster. What makes them successful (or not)? First, the technology has to be idiot-proof, without being clinical or constricting. After that, there's just one thing: People. You ain't got people, you ain't got nothing. My theory is, predicting where people will congregate is like predicting migration patterns. Many factors come into it, but some of it is just chance.
Oh yeah, there's something else: Individuality. "Content executives" in every medium seem to forget that viewers/readers/surfers/listeners are attracted to things that are interesting. Many may not agree with me, but when what's offered is too formulaic, people turn away.
posted by Alexa Weber Morales @ 10/14/2006
5 comments
5 Comments:
It is interesting you mention LinkedIn, as Jeff Atwood just posted a rant against it.
Well in fact, Jeff says: "do not do things that are not useful for you", and he is right.
Choosing an appropriate network is also a good thing to do ;-)
D.
Hi Alexa,
you're right Alexa,the question is individuality!
And the answer is LinkedMinds:
www.linkedminds.net .
to build your personal knowledge network.
As you see Alexa we're still alive and in beta test.
Friendly
gerard Chalom ,Jean-Michel Forestier.
:)
Bonjour Gerard et David!
Funny that two of my French friends (David, meet Gerard, Gerard, meet David) should comment on this--hey, do the French have anything to offer the community-building space what with the persistence of France Télécom's Minitel networks?
David, I just read Jeff Atwood's rant and can't say I agree with him. Anyone concerned about building online popularity understands that participating in those social networks that interest you and have the right kind of traffic is extremely valuable.
I think being on LinkedIn is somewhat equivalent to being on the subscription list of a controlled, qualified circulation trade magazine such as the one I once edited: It places you among peers in the upper echelon of your profession--peers who take deep personal pride in what they do for a living.
Hi Alexa, Bonjour Gérard,
I do not know if French people are specially good at building online communities, but is is true that the Minitel has been an enabling tool for exploring the cyberspace long before the Internet became widely spread.
I do not know if you have read Funky Business (if not, I highly recommand it): the authors talk about how belonging to a tribe is essential and how nowadays tribes are spread out and immaterial.
In that sense, online networks surely play a role in our world where the farthest location is only a few milliseconds away, where you have relatives and friends all around the globe...
These networks are the mean we need to stay in touch with people beyond the reach of our natural range of interaction (our building, our church, our company).
David
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