There has been continuous movement in Internet marketing towards social platforms for promoting individuals and businesses.  Social networks have offered consumers and net surfers a new vulnerability and transparency that they appreciate and enjoy in terms of businesses and products.  If you have considered initiating a social media platform to expand your business, but got lost wandering aimlessly through the millions of people on Myspace to find individuals interested in your brand, then you may be interested in focusing your own social network around your brand or industry and NING offers the tools to do just that.

Introduced in 2007, NING allows professionals to build personalized networks quickly and easily.  Essentially, you can create a niche in your own marketplace while developing your personal brand.  Members of your network can post discussion items, blogs, photos, videos and a bundle of other things, but unlike larger social networks, your network remains focused on your industry or area of interest.

This social platform offers an easy way to monitor your brand and reputation while keeping in touch with how people "feel" about your industry and the direction your company may be going in it.  Creating such a network for your existing clients also networks out to potential customers and can provide opportunities to network within your own industry.  Advertising your NING network through your private email list, on your website and on other social network profiles (MySpace and Facebook badges included) can help you build a strong brand presence on the web and with the search engines.

It can be difficult to establish a solid online presence.  Maintaining a large social network can often seem like an impossible task or simply too much to handle and in many situations, becomes completely impersonal, doing more damage to your reputation than good.  NING makes brainstorming sessions easy and learning from your consumers and clients a breeze by giving your target audience a place to “hang out” and share their thoughts, experiences and ideas.  The best part about NING is that it is free to launch your own network, making it an invaluable tool for promoting your business on the web.

Rafferty Pendery
CEO Studio98