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
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(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!