MULTISITE AND BUDDYPRESS

The Do’s and Don’ts of Creating a Niche Social Network

By Mason James

Tuesday, January 8, 13

NICHE SOCIAL NETWORKS

Facebook showed us how successful an online social network could really be. As a natural response to that we’re seeing niche social networks arise.

“Birds of a feather flock together”

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What is a Niche Social Network?

A niche social network is an online community that caters to specific and unique topics of interest.

Examples:Pioneer Woman: http://thepioneerwoman.com/Rockhaq: http://rockhaq.com/

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Do : Start Now@jjj “2012 - Year of the niche network. BuddyPress.org has you covered.” (Jan 18)Open the network for signups (beta)Use pressure to your advantage

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Don’t : Be Casual

• Make sure you are passionate about your niche

• Money can’t be the primary goal

• Community-building takes a massive amount of work. You must continually engage members.

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Do : Have a Plan

• Set goals for yourself and for your site.

• Plan your work. Then work your plan.

• Use phases for features and enhancements.

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Don’t : Be Facebook

We already have it.Be unique.

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Don’t : Be a JerkAttitude

Forum etiquette

Expectations

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Do : Marketing

Doesn’t matter how good it is if nobody sees it

Use e-newsletters, promotions, twitter, facebook

Find where your target audience is and meet them there

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Nuts and Bolts

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MULTISITE?• Allows your members to have their own blog/site

• Easily manage plugins themes and provide an exact UX/UI for your members

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BUDDYPRESS?• Social networking, in a box.

• Social Networking “layer” for WordPress

• Member Profiles, Activity Streams, Groups

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Must-have BuddyPress Plugins

BuddyPress Toolbar: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/buddypress-toolbar/

Achievements: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/achievements/

Welcome Pack: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/welcome-pack/

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Must-have Multisite Plugins

Admin Menu Editor: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/admin-menu-editor/

Role Management: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/members/

Plugin Manager: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/multisite-plugin-manager/

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Thank you for listeningWeb: http://masonjames.com

WPMU DEV: http://premium.wpmudev.org/contact/

Twitter : @masonjames

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