Date: September 3, 2010 

Hi Friend, 

Many businesses in 2010 are asking the question... "Is there more to social networking than just Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn? I want to create a strong target community for my industry or members, but am not sure if these social networks will serve that purpose."

Now let's be clear on one thing first...., these giant social networks are a big part of building an authentic dialogue with a target audience for these businesses, but many are desiring to build a more focused community designed around topics and conversations that are exclusive to their audience.

Take, for example, our business at VAClassroom. We LOVE the big three social networks and use them regularly to share relevant content, connect with our audience and effectively build our brand.

But about 18 months ago, I realized that I needed to create a private social network that would enable us to facilitate a deeper connection and greater sense of community and transparency for our students passionate about Social Marketing. So after extensive research, I would found exactly what I was looking for....

Powered by Ning.com, we created a private social network that enabled us to provide an exclusive and powerful learning community for our students. To be honest, it was one of the best business decisions I have ever made...

Well, we are not alone. Many businesses are seeking to create branded online communities that will help them to foster greater transparency and communication with their like-minded audience.

Private Social Networking Tools like Ning.com and Socialgo.com are growing exponentially and providing a nice targeted complement to the big social networks.

Check out these stats:

As of February 2010, Ning has 41 million members across two million networks and nearly doubled in the number of new social networks since April of 2009!

The true business value of many of your clients setting up private Social Networks through sites like Ning is that it creates the opportunity to:

Find and reach out to like-minded people, who are utilizing the social network for the same purpose. 

Develop their thought leadership as they stimulate discussions on certain topics within their specific industry.

Create a simple-to-use and feature-rich platform for building deeper connection and collaboration with a highly targeted audience.

Provide an avenue for promoting their targeted events, product launches and services to a highly engaged and focused community.

The development of a private social network is precisely the answer for many businesses and entrepreneurs today, but they simply lack the time to effectively set up, implement, moderate and manage their own branded social community.

Well, that is the driving motivation for us launching this timely Social Network Design Clinic:

To equip you with the tools and knowledge to be able to design and implement a branded, feature-rich, private social network for many of your clients.

We are very excited to unveil our first live intensive one-day virtual clinic...

Here is a quick breakdown of the topics we will be covering in this live one-day clinic (starting on March 24, 2010):

1. Introducing Private Social Networks

Review Seven key benefits for your clients to start a private social network.

Identify the different purposes and functions for using a social network. (i.e. Membership Site, Special-Interest Community, Fundraising Tool for Non-Profits)

2. Setting up a Successful Private Social Network

Develop the Social Network strategy and game plan..

Establish moderator's roles and responsibilities.

Review benefits of private vs. public social networks and when to use one over the other.

3. Introduction to Ning

Review Hot Ning Social Networks like VAClassroom.com.

Provide overview of different design options available at Ning.

Discuss the different public and private settings and functions.

4.  Key Success Steps for Creating a Thriving Ning Social Network

Creating a compelling layout for your social network.

Review the main design features and elements.

Tips for adding a Ning Header and other creative design strategies.

Discuss possible customizations for your social network

Review Important Ning applications, including Twitter and YouTube Integration.

Discuss important premium services such as “Removing Ads” and How to Add Ning to a Sub-Domain.

5.  Managing The Private Social Network

Review tips for sharing value-added content. (i.e. Events)

Discuss strategies for adding and encouraging discussions and interactions.

Identify ways to introduce your brand and products to your Ning audience.

This powerful one-day clinic will give you the tools to hit the ground running with this new profitable service for all types of clients, including non-profits, coaches, organizations and many other business entrepreneurs!