Leigh Marriner — 15 March 2007
Are social networking sites only for teens?
Will Marc Andreessen succeed with Ning, which plans to make it easy for anyone, including adults, to set up their own social networking sites? Is online social networking a function of lifestage or is Gen Y just introducing the other generations to a behavior that many of us will adopt?
Why do teens use MySpace and Facebook so heavily? These have replaced email and even IM to some extent, as teens’ preferred way to communicate with their social group and to find out what’s going on (hot new music, who was at what parties, etc.) For teens, the meaningful experiences delivered by social networking sites are Connection and Knowledge.
Adults may not have the same intense need for Connection with a large social group as teens, but easier access to a social network in an area of particular interest is appealing because it helps us wade through the growing morass of available information. And it helps people connect with people of like interests. Personally, I’d much rather get a San Francisco restaurant recommendation from people who are foodies than from Zagat, which may have started out that way but now publishes the scores from too broad a range of people to be reliable. To take another example, American parents who adopt a Chinese baby would like to share with others trying to raise their daughter in two cultures. Much of this kind of connection now happens on blogs, but I would expect the social networking tools provided by suppliers like Ning will make the experience more enjoyable and easier to navigate.
Adults will gravitate toward social networking sites, to a lesser extent than teens, but still in significant numbers. While the Korean social networking site CyWorld is used by 90% of 24-29 year-olds, it’s also used by 40% of the entire population.
Comments
Social networking sites for "foodies" do exist. Check out Yelp. They allow you to search for recommendations from your local area. People are somewhat compelled to contribute to Yelp and sites like Yelp, because they feel the need express or become somewhat an authority on a particular subject.
I don't think social networking sites are specifically for young people anymore. Most of those first Myspace/Facebook members are nearing mid twenties to thirties now. I think the adoption of social networking sites have more to do with Gen X/Y's acceptance of technology, namely the web, than the their age. Remember, it used to be a big deal to have a mobile phone? or Phone hacking was considered "high-tech"? My mother still isn't comfortable with checking voicemail on her cell!
There is a social networking site for everyone. Ning seems to be more geared towards web/application developers. Obviously a successful social site needs to be somewhat targeted, hence I don't look in Zagat for the best places to eat in San Francisco if I can ask somebody from San Francisco instead.
Posted by Chu Chiang on March 16, 2007 02:38 PM | Permalink to Comment
There is a tremenus growing need for business to use Social Networking. The day of the monolithic giant "one site fits all" Social Network is over with the success of myspace.
From here on out, community has to fit a purpose, culture and brand.
The number of companies seeking Social Networking solutions to better reach their audience has grown from nearly nothing in 2001 to a wave of interest in 2006 and 2007 is looking to be anohter jump even greater than before.
Social Networking and online community are critical to business and the one's who do not get it, will be left behind.
The Social Networking for business train has left the station!
Posted by Jesse on April 2, 2007 10:47 AM | Permalink to Comment
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Social networking sites for "foodies" do exist. Check out Yelp. They allow you to search for recommendations from your local area. People are somewhat compelled to contribute to Yelp and sites like Yelp, because they feel the need express or become somewhat an authority on a particular subject.
I don't think social networking sites are specifically for young people anymore. Most of those first Myspace/Facebook members are nearing mid twenties to thirties now. I think the adoption of social networking sites have more to do with Gen X/Y's acceptance of technology, namely the web, than the their age. Remember, it used to be a big deal to have a mobile phone? or Phone hacking was considered "high-tech"? My mother still isn't comfortable with checking voicemail on her cell!
There is a social networking site for everyone. Ning seems to be more geared towards web/application developers. Obviously a successful social site needs to be somewhat targeted, hence I don't look in Zagat for the best places to eat in San Francisco if I can ask somebody from San Francisco instead.
Posted by Chu Chiang on March 16, 2007 02:38 PM | Permalink to Comment