While the rise in niche social networks is far from news, most marketers, SEOS, and advertisers are still missing the boat when it comes to effectively reaching out to their target audience and creating organic buzz.
No doubt that it is necessary to keep Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and even Tumblr at the forefront of any marketing strategy, but for more fine-tuned and focused results, it is crucial to monitor and reach out to active niche social networks. It is a game of numbers vs. passions, and more big name brands are making the shift towards niche blogger communities and social network hubs.
To get away from the mainstream discourse or just focus in on people who share a specific interest or passion with you, niche social networks are becoming increasingly popular. Here’s a quick list of some of the most popular niche social networks – and some on the horizon -that give a space to people’s interests and passions:
Dogster:
For the dog lovers out there, sometimes Facebook is not enough when it comes to interacting with others who are also fans of man’s best friend. Dogster first launched in 2004 as a community for dog owners and lovers, but evolved into a full blown online resource for all things canine-related, where members can share stories but also get helpful advice and information about their pets. With about 4.4 million monthly page views and over 3 million pet profiles, Dogster is the “poster child” of niche social networks.
Ravelry:
Ravelry is the place where knitters, weavers, and crocheters come to connect and share their ideas, projects, and questions with one another. A husband-wife team started the network in 2007 as a way to give the “fiber arts” it’s own space on the web.
With over 3 million members worldwide, it is more than just a community of hobbyists and enthusiasts. This niche social network also facilitates micro-businesses, allowing the crafters to sell their products. There is also a marketplace where members can sell and buy materials with other members.
Anxiety Social Net:
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States. It is a disorder that oftentimes prevents people from reaching out to others, socializing, or getting the help and support they need. Anxiety Social Net (ASN) is one of the newer niche social networks and it’s aim is to create a safe online environment that fosters peer-to-peer learning and support, while also giving members the opportunity to connect with professionals.
ASN is a great example of how niche social networks can fill a void – and provide a highly relevant and useful place where the more mainstream social networks fall short. Unlike in Facebook, ASN is a contained and intimate world where members can share their latest progress stories, fears, or questions with others and not worry about privacy settings.
So, whether you’re a dog lover or sufferer of anxiety, you will always be able to find your own place on the web.
Have another favorite niche social network to add to the list?
