Niche Social Networking

The more I read about social networking, the more networks and groups I find. Mothers gather online to share interests, ask questions, discuss trends or simply network. Interesting articles have recently been published on social networking and the proliferation of highly targeted networks. As they discuss, in the future success may depend on how targeted and focused a blog or site is. One of the articles, Entrepreneurs Think Niche is the New Social Network gives fresh examples of why niche social networks work.

And the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. I have not joined MySpace and do not have a Facebook account. Nor do I want one. However, I could certainly see myself joining a social networking site that groups mothers with, let's say, an interest in exposing their kids to languages. This is my idea of a niche network that I would spend time on. CafeMom.com, a highly popular, mom-centric social networking site is a good example. Another recently launched social networking site with a niche focus is Wearesinglemoms.org, a network that spun off from MySpace.com to become a targeted social forum. These niche social networking sites have a strongly targeted member demographic focus.

Some may even argue that sites like these may slowly be replacing the social dialogue forum that the good old playground has always been. I plan to post on that in the future. The beauty of niche social networking is that you can pick and choose a group that caters to your specific interest, one where the 'What's in it for me?' question is answered right as you join the conversation. Niche social networking in general and for mothers is not a fad but a growing trend. The question to ask is what's the next phase in this trend.