ARTICLE BY JAMES BRINDLE

Chances are, you probably haven’t heard much about Ning.com at this point, but it won’t be long before you do – and you’d be smart to jump on the trend now!

Unlike other social networks, Ning allows its users to create their own social networks. Imagine if your company had it’s own mini-Facebook full of consumers that all have one thing in common: YOU! Your members all have their own profiles, just like any other social network (this is the big difference between having a Ning network, and say, a Facebook fan page), and they can interact with one another via forums, video and photo posts, and any other content you and your company decide to add.

The key benefit to this format of social networking is the valuable conversation and interaction that is generated amongst members regarding your product. Of course, you shouldn’t design the entire network to revolve around you – in fact – you should not create the network in your company’s name at all. Instead, pick a service or a need that your consumers care about, something that they would log on day after day to interact with. For instance, if your business is a local restaurant, you might want to set up a network for your customers that focuses on locally grown foods/farmers and how they are impacting your menu. The key here is to talk up your business without talking up your business.

To some, Ning can and will be a valuable asset to growing a relationship with your customer base. Others will more than likely brush it off for now and come back to it when it gains a little more popularity. But remember: all advantage is lost once everybody starts doing it!