YES Summit: Build-your-own social network with Ning
Posted by Brent Dixon on December 3rd, 2007
Christopher Morris has set up YES Summit social network at yescucommunity.com. He used Ning, a free (for a basic account) tool for building custom social networks, to create it. The YES CU Community allows users to engage in conversation forums, post blogs, join and create groups, “friend” each other, and share photo and video content (Ning automatically converts video files to a flash player…awesome).
In Christopher’s session explaining the network, he said they built it to 1) Facilitate and perpetuate discussion on reacing the 18 – 30 demographic and 2) Provide hands-on education to allow users to play in a social networking space and see how it works.
I like that CUNA is experimenting with this. A conference-specific social network has the potential to add a lot more depth and follow-up opportunity to the experience. Facebook and LinkedIn are both much better ways for me to keep up with new credit union friends than the lunchbox I keep my business cards in. Admittedly, half of this is because I always forget to bring my business cards to conferences.
Ning’s functionality and back-end interface are really impressive. To add features to your network, you simply drag and drop:
Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a way to kick off an online community.
Thanks for the kudos.
I was researching companies for a separate project for the Councils at the time and Ning really intrigued me. To get a pretty robust network right out of the box, Ning is awesome.
BTW, Brent is humble. People were talking about his session all day – especially the examples of the ways different CUs were leveraging blogs.
Great job today Brent! You opened a lot of eyes of the credit union community. Keep up the great work!
if you build it, they still won’t come, who are you kidding, attracting 16-30 year olds ? not likely
@ Christopher. Thanks for the kind words. You and Josh are throwing a bang-up conference.
@ Paul. I really appreciate it man. It was great getting to talk in person today. See you tomorrow, bright and early.
@ damon. I’m not sure exactly what you’re saying…but if it’s “you can’t just chunk a social network at a demographic and expect it to stick,” then I totally agree.
Does the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Friendster, or even a Credit Union hosted site drive up sales or conversions?
I’ve read a number of studies by research firms stating that blogs alone do very little to assist in the sales of products. These research firms are stating that user ratings and reviews are a much better tool as consumers would rather hear info from other consumers, rather than being spoon-fed info from marketers.
Any thoughts?
Mike,
It depends on how you set up your blog. If your blog is nothing but a channel for ads, you wont see much from it.
If you create blog with a purpose, you will create dialog. Not only between the CU and the Members but between the members – like we are now.
It is all about how you set up your environment. Blogs can be successful, but it happens that most people who are in charge of setting them up don’t create a concise and strategic plan to execute their online efforts. They throw a few bucks at it to see if it sticks and if there isnt a good response – they trash it.
I am not saying that every CU should have a blog. All I am saying is that every credit union should make every effort to communicate with their members. For some credit unions, a blog does that.