Practically every week I get emails from ning network creators wanting to know how to create a network with hundreds of members like mine. Though I didn’t do it over night, I can honestly say that if you are driven enough and your network is appealing enough to your target audience, you can create a large and thriving network. The reality is my networks all started with only one member, me. The key to turning the one into one thousand, is mapping out a marketing strategy that works best for you.
Having little to no money allotted for advertising, I chose to build my networks one click at a time with lots of late night web sessions and countless forum posts. Some of my most effective marketing strategies include:
• Making the Most of my Main Websites and Blogs: Having several websites and blogs with regular web viewers, I decided to advertise my new networks on my old spaces. This is the best way to market your network for free.
• If you have a mailing list, send them an email featuring your new network.
• Create banners for your networks and feature them on your other sites.
• You should also write interesting articles about your new network and post them on your blog or in your favorite community forums (with themes similar to that of your network).
• Take Advantage of Popular Social Communities like MySpace: Creating a MySpace page was a great way to find and attract the type of people I wanted to join my networks. Now I know my space can seem like a chaotic and overwhelming space if you do not know how to use it as a marketing tool. Using some of the strategies I detailed in my Sista Sense blog post ‘Making More Friends on MySpace, I was able to create a MySpace page with over 5,000 friends. I then used that friend circle like a mailing list; regularly writing blog posts and sending out bulletins about my networks and latest web projects. Similar to my strategy for approving members, I found that carefully adding and approving MySpace friend requests allowed me to create a pool of friends that were more likely to read my posts and join my groups. Avoid simply adding any and everyone to your friends circle in an effort to increase your click count. Focus on building a circle of friends who will more than likely care about what you have to say and the things that you are promoting.
For my complete listing of tips on How to promote your Ning Network, download a copy of my eBook ‘Create Your Own Ningalicious Network‘.
This post is a part of my blog series / eBook ‘Create Your Own Ningalicious Network‘. You can read most of the Chapters of this eGuide on the SistaSense blog. To get the complete guide, with tips not featured on the blog, download your own copy here.
Hey girl,
My name is Tanisha Sam and I have a health & Fitness business and web site where I help sista not only loose that weight but also sculpt their bodies.I want to thank you sooooo much for your information. To me you are helpfull to all sista like you and me in the areas of business. God has blessed you fully.
Your sista,
Tanisha Sam
Hey I just made a ning social network and I really like it…I am having trouble finding some cool and fun stuff to put on it though…if anyone that reads this can help me out with stuff to put on my site please email me bitty10201020@yahoo.com and please check out my site and join if you can http://www.socialconection.ning.com
….thanks a lot. Hey sista pleas check out my site and respond to this please.
http://www.socialconection.ning.com
I would like to introduce our new Ning Site.
Looking Out The Window.
We are a site for people 30 and over.
” Who Believe We All View Life Thru Different Windows.
While Still Respecting One Another’s View.”.
We have some of the typical Groups, but are unique in that we encourage our Members to begin there own.
Our limitations are simple, No Porn.
Since we are all individuals and have different interests and are knowledgable on countless Topic’s, there is basically no end to what we have to offer for our Members.
So I Welcome Everyone
Who also Believe ” That We All View Life Thru Different Windows”.
Thank You.
Hope to see you with us.
Sheri~
Great value added content as usual.
I’m sure many have benefited from your
expertise La Shanda.
Thanks.
Wow awesome post! You really gave me a sense of direction. I love love love Neo Soul music and I wanted to start a community where enthusiast could showcase their work. Now I know this is possible and I know where to start.
Thanks for your insight,
Damiso