Niche Social Networks

Niche Social Networks: Tools for Trade

Social media: the hot topic right now in business. Most companies today have dived into the online world with Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and some have even jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon. But with these massive, generalized platforms open to anyone, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd.

One solution to this issue is niche social networks. These sites are online communities focused on one industry or market. There are networks for all types of people and businesses. From artists to lawyers to funeral home directors, there’s a place for everyone to connect. Each site is tailored to fit the needs of the industry they serve.

For example, Architizer is a site for architects to share their designs, network and meet potential clients. Their goal is to “transform the way architects do business.” They hold competitions, have a job page, and host networking events all over the world. Architizer has pegged themselves as the experts of the architecture and design world.

Another example is the network for attorneys and law professionals called Law Link. On this site, Law Link offers forums, videos and even documents to share relating to the law profession and industry. Law Link even features a directory of all the law professionals registered with the site, which could not only be a resource for other law agencies, but for consumers as well.

So, how can, or should, businesses use this new resource to their advantage? First of all, if you do join a niche network that fits your industry, it’s still important to maintain your major social media accounts. Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin are the first places people will visit and you do not want to eliminate the places your customers visit most.

Use the niche social networks to connect with others in your industry. The niche networks could be used as a great learning tool that can provide industry news and an outlet to share how you conduct business within that industry. They could also potentially provide new clients, depending on your industry. An example of this is a network called Deviant Art, a site for artists to upload their works. It’s a community for artists to collaborate and share, but some artists can sell their art through the site as well.

Niche social networks can be valuable tools for businesses to gain tailored information, meet and collaborate with others in their market and could potentially lead to new clients. It allows for better communication platforms and can help educate visitors looking for targeted, specific information.

Categorized in: Articles, Social Media