“Fish where the fish are.” That’s the advice we often give to companies seeking to connect with customers on social media channels. But as the popular channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) get increasingly crowded, it’s harder to wade through the noise. Niche social networks can provide an option to companies wanting to connect with a highly targeted, focused group of individuals.
It’s not just about the eyeballs.
Despite the impressions Facebook and Twitter might bring, it’s equally important to consider the impact of focused presence in a smaller, tight-knit community. By finding a community that aligns with your goals, niche social networks offer brands an opportunity to promote products and services to an engaged group of interested customers.
We’ve collected some helpful articles on niche social networks for your reading pleasure. Let us know what you think in the comments.
- 4 Ways Niche Social Networks are Predicting the Future of the Web;
- PCMag’s starter list of niche social networks to check out;
- Not to be outdone, Sitepoint.com offers their list of 15 niche social networks for niche marketing;
- An even more comprehensive niche social network list by Convertiv;
- For help creating a niche social network, idea.org offers some software options;
- A New York Times’ article on how social networks are a lifeline for the chronically ill; and lastly
- If you’re a brand trying to find a niche social network to participate in, KnowEm has 550 sites you can search through.
Next time you’re thinking about joining a social networking site, we encourage you to take a look beyond the usual choices and consider some niche social networks that might be more aligned with your brand and your goals. Who knows — you might find a vibrant community just waiting for your insights.
An Ant’s Eye Point-of-View is curated and written by Senior Social Business Consultants: Kristy Bolsinger, Jenna Jantsch, Joann Jen, Geoff Knox, Ali McCourt and Sam Eder. Ideas and reactions are welcome in the comments section.
