I often find myself twittering, writing or discussing one constant topic: food. I follow @PDXfoodcarts on twitter, am a fan of bacon on Facebook and my latest tweet was about a new recipe I tried this week. I am not a gourmet cook or would even call myself a foodie, but with the vast amount of online resources devoted to this topic, I have a smorgasbord of social activity to make me feel like a world-class chef.
Niche social media networks seem to be popping up everywhere, and with the rate of social media users in general, it is not a surprise. With online platforms like Ning, anyone can create or join an online community, though as a user or a company, how do you know when you should participate in or start a personalized network around your potential clients?
Niche communities allow visitors of the same industry, demographic, area or hobby to interact in an environment based only around those specifics. Of course these users are probably already on Facebook or have their own blog, though instead of sorting through the groups, finding similar followers or Digging a link or post within a pile of pages, users with the same interests are located and communicating in a single, focused place. Due to this undivided attention visitors are more loyal, concentrated, and more likely to convert into a subscriber of your website or better yet, a customer.
While an industry specific site may seem like the golden ticket to an advertiser or marketer, it is important to focus on the niche social sites that are right for you, your business and where your potential customers will be visiting. Here are a few hints to help you venture into a niche network.
Do your research.
There are hundreds of niche sites out there as well as platforms to make your own. Review the ones available as well as where your competitors are socializing. Develop a strategy to help you get started with social media marketing.
Quality is better than quantity.
Be cautious about marketing on networks that are outside your industry or you will lose your trust with users and eventually be considered as spam. If you knit, trade pattern ideas at Ravelry rather than Footbo, a social network all about soccer.
Know your audience, know your content and interact with users.
What can you offer that can’t be found on other sites? If you are promoting a new snack or food, post recipes using your product on Food based sites like Allrecipes.
Try it out!
Choose a site, which is relevant to your interest or business objectives. Register as a member; tour the site and its features. Watch interactions, content and existing users. Submit posts, search for friends and you are on your way!
Tags: Facebook, niche social networks, Ning, Social Media, social media marketing
