Niche Online Social Networks FTW!!

Lee Bryant

Web2.0 Expo Berlin,

October 2008

www.headshift.com

Bye bye bubble. Hello real world :-(

Parody!

Bye bye bubble. Hello real world :-(

Parody!

Bye bye bubble. Hello real world :-(

Parody!

Bye bye bubble. Hello real world :-(

This is a good thing

So... what’s our mission now, Tim?

#1: Work on stuff that matters

#2: Create more value than you capture

I think that intimate, niche social networks create more value thanmass market advertising-funded

build-to-flip Web 2.0 startups

Larger niche networks are doing well

Larger niche networks are doing well

In all other areas of life, we lookfor intimacy, exclusivity, common culture and a sense of belonging.

Why should online socialnetworks be any different?

Here are some examples of howlow-cost / free tools can be used to

create social value for groups(where groups ≠ flocks of geeks)

A mentoring and learning network for people who can’t meet face to face

Wiki-based business mentoring network

Overall Rating

2008 Submissions

Listening

Talking

Energizing

Supporting

Embracing

Managing

Social Impact

2007 Winners

FAQ

Register Now

MentorNet

Headshift

http://headshift.com/projects/

2008/06/mentornet.php

The MentorNet program provides an intimate business social

network that supports entrepreneurial women to grow their

businesses through education, networking, and mentoring

over a period of six months.

MentorNet was the first national mentoring program for

women in business to be launched in Australia and the first to

use Web2.0 technologies (blogs, wikis, social networks,

webinars, photo-sharing and social bookmarking) to provide

education and mentoring in an enriched technology enabled

experience.

Since January 2007, 6 programs have been successfully

completed by 127 Mentorees, together with 29 Mentors.

"Today's technologies allow us to tap into the richness of this

country's business thinking and education and delivers that

direct to aspiring businesswomen in all parts of the country to

help them grow their businesses— time and distance are no

longer barriers. The MentorNet program offers something

totally new—using the latest online community and learning

methodologies."

MentorNet is designed to put theory into action over a 6

month period. The participants are expected to set outcomes,

attend the webinars in business skills, work with a mentor and

small peer group to develop a business plan that they can

action during and after the program. Sustainability of these

businesses is a high priority and focus.

"The results are amazing, we are seeing demonstrated evidence

of the mentorees applying the business principles they're

learning into their wikis, and openly providing feedback to

their Pod members. Not only is the technology providing an

enriched experience, but our design is enabling application

and improvement into their businesses! "

Here's a snapshot from program evaluations - hear what the

participants have to say on our full submission URL.

100% reported an increase their business skills

100% expanded their networks

65% report business growth

35% employed more staff

90% developed business plans

100% report increased business confidence

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Improves the work/life balance

Reviewed October 1, 2008 by fatmumma from Melbourne, Australia

The program is easy to access to make the job of managing a family and a business much more manageable.

It has high quality mentors, lecturers and facilitators and the system is user friendly for all levels of IT

experience. I feel I can keep in the loop without having to leave my desk!

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Linda McDonald

Reviewed September 28, 2008 by Linda from Sydney, Australia

I have been a Mentor with MentorNet for three programs now. It is an amazing program using such

fascinating state-of-the-art technology to reach women all over Australia. It is such a good use of the

technology and program results have proven the value of it for Mentorees. And Mentors also get a huge

benefit from it.

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Reviewed September 26, 2008 by DVHO from Sydney

MentorNet has given me a support framework and a thinking platform for my business, without having to

travel to classes to meet the mentor and other fellow mentorees, saving us a lot of travel time. The program

is well structured and run, which is only made possible, I believe, by using Web 2.0.

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Inspirational

Reviewed September 25, 2008 by Delh from Portland Vic

The mentornet program has given me opportunities I would not of otherwise been able to access due to my

location. This wonderful use of the internet gives everyone, no matter where they are based the support and

guidance only city based businesses would usually be able to access. The use of such things as blogs, wikis

etc. has inspired me to make use of these in my own business.

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5

5

5

5

5

(finalist in Groundswell awards)

Elements::: Confluence wiki platform:: Delicious for link sharing:: Flickr for photos:: Webex for online meetings

Design Challenges::: Danger of complexity:: Overcoming wiki disorientation:: Support ‘dip in’ and ‘deep dive’

A private members’ network for 1,400specialist international media workers

Frontline club - wonderful content

New intimate private net for members

Elements::: Movable Type 4.2 / OSS:: Twitter for messaging:: Dopplr for presence sharing:: Magnolia for link sharing:: Freeway for e-commerce

Design Challenges::: Non-tech, ageing members:: Highly itinerant group:: Exclusivity vs openness

A creative social network dedicatedto changing basic behaviours

We helped with the original site

New site launched by in-house team

Elements::: Ruby on Rails:: Consumer video hosting:: Facebook application:: Twitter, Friendfeed & Flickr

Design Challenges::: Patina: making it look lived in:: UGC vs Curated content:: Playful but meaningful

A (g)local social network to support returnees in a Bosnian town

kozarac

27k people pre-war. Destroyed and

‘cleansed’ in 1992. Return began 1999

Can ‘virtual’ repair ‘real’ community?

Between 1992 and 1999 the townexisted primarily in the virtual realm,

and from 1999, Kozarac web siteshelped support the process of return

1990 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07normal X --> the war return beginsjustice? rebuildingodd reclaiming

1990 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07normal X --> the war return beginsjustice? rebuildingodd reclaiming

first diaspora-led sites

1990 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07normal X --> the war return beginsjustice? rebuildingodd reclaiming

recovering memory online

first diaspora-led sites

1990 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07normal X --> the war return beginsjustice? rebuildingodd reclaiming

recovering memory online

first diaspora-led sites

new wave

1990 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07normal X --> the war return beginsjustice? rebuildingodd reclaiming

recovering memory online

first diaspora-led sites

new wave

kozarac.ba

Blog as presence sharing tool

6,900 forum posts by person

Very tightly bound social network

6,468 private messages

Healthy centre/periphery balance

discussion > needs > funding > reality

Elements::: PHPNuke:: Private forums:: Paypal

Design Challenges::: Lack of resources locally:: Geographically dispersed users:: Balance between open / closed

Why am I showing you these?

Because this is the internet,not Facebook or MySpace

Innovation is about finding good problems to solve. Identify real human needs and find connected solutions -

that is always a source of value

We have tools::: Cheap / Open source tools:: (or platforms like Ning and Vox):: OpenID, OAuth, Open Social:: Many services with open APIs

We are learning how to do it::: Identify your social objects:: Define your verbs:: Design for emergence:: Build connected places, not sites

small is the new big

image credits:the bbpdawnzy58givepeasachancealvythe maroonJeff YoungstromLee Bryant

attribution 2.0 generic

Niche Online Social Networks FTW!!

Web2.0 Expo Berlin,

October 2008

www.headshift.com

Lee Bryant

more information:slideshare.net/leebryantwww.headshift.com

Thank you for listening!