Could you Help Me Please?

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Permalink Reply by Area Light Explorer on September 17, 2008 at 7:15pm

Mari,

You have a great looking social network. The business concept is very good in my opinion.

When I was asked to register I really had to reconsider joining. I've learned I don't want to over extend my online social presence on sites where I have to register and set up profiles etc. However, I also know I can remove myself. So I decided to go the extra steps to see your site and then take myself off. This is certainly something I think you should consider if you want to drive traffic to the site. I noted the coaching groups were requiring registration and setting parameters. I would think this fairly sufficient along with your own moderation and site culture to avoid abuse. A registration requirement is useful in some occasions. I am working on 10 Nings actually and 9 of them will be controlled this way. The 10th is open to everybody and serves as a lead in to my others once they are established. Actually, I set it up to be sort of a network directory or hub so people could navigate and interact with other social networks without the obligation of joining. It's good for networks too so they can screen or attract the right type of members. Perhaps you will look into it. Area Light

What really stands out to me is the vision you have for your site and how the associates on it have combined up to become an elite team. Content wise, your coverage of general business and marketing is off to a great start. I also like how you are setting up to present articles of interest and to showcase member successes. Media wise I like the inclusion of videos, widgets, etc. Overall, I would have to say eliteteam.ning.com is is off to an excellent start.

Best.

Anthony

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Permalink Reply by Mari Torres on September 18, 2008 at 4:10am

Wow Anthony I can't begin to tell you how valuable your feedback is to me. It is difficult to see what changes you should make with out feedback so thank you so very much.

Can you tell me why you would feel that you are over extending yourself, and what would you suggest I do to make it easier. I suppose I don't really want to make it too easy because I am trying to attract the right people to the site, so far I have been literally hand picking my guests.

I would like to borrow some more of your knowledge, I promise I will give it back!

Thank you so much for doing this for me Anthony! I will be visiting your projects to learn more!

Mari Torres "The Network Marketing Rebel"

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Permalink Reply by Nadira Haniff on September 18, 2008 at 9:19am

Mari. I like your concept and I am sure your site will gain popularity. Personally I don't see anything enticing me to join. Remember, the ning network is loaded with social groups and other networks are popping up all over the place. So to brand yourself, a great landing page would work like candy for kids! Do consider.
I will go in though and take a look around sometime today;)

Nadira
www.thecalltogreatness.com

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Permalink Reply by Mari Torres on September 18, 2008 at 9:56am

Thank you very much for your feedback Nadira, Yes I agree there are tons of networks, I am still working on some things I have some give contests coming soon I will be giving away some great stuff, what would entice you to join a site? What kind of candy? lol

This market is getting super competitive, I have implemented some of the things that keep me engaged on sites, we have streaming video, there will be live interactive broadcasts weekly, Free workshops but the one thing that I think is going to pull people in are the stories.

Working online for 5 years I think that the element that is missing in business networking sites is the warmth of people, many business sites are cold and people just spam you to death with their business and what they do. On the elite team network people will have the opportunity to tell their story, that is going to be a strong draw, I believe. A different member will be featured each week not just their business and what they do but their story, who are they. I really enjoy learning about people and according to my research many others do as well.

I really appreciate you taking the time to come look. I am grateful for sta.rtup.biz This is truly a great site and I am grateful for you Nadira. What keeps me coming here are the people!

Mari Torres "The Network Marketing Rebel"

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Permalink Reply by Area Light Explorer on September 18, 2008 at 11:05am

Good morning Mari!

You have such a refreshing tone. It just rings positivity. Thank you for the motivating comments on my page too. I think it fairly obvious we will be networking with eachother. We are aligned on a lot of levels.

To answer your question; the more you get to know me, the more you will find just how far reaching my online activities are. I generally understate this. An emerging dynamic of social networking is the reality there are just too many options. You shouldn't worry so much about the side of that coin that so many people try to pull everybody in those directions. Your network is a value loaded service designed for a community who would rather not have their intelligence insulted. Like most of my activities, it is not intended for "everyone" but rather "anyone" who shares your preferences, standards, interests, etc.

If I am correct, this is a major part of my attraction to what you are doing. My suggestion is to open up your doors without registration so people can immediately see what is going on inside before registering and completing mandatory profile questions that would position them within your community concept. Having the signup form pop up when visiting your site to see and consider is kind of like window shopping at a place that has the blinds down. As a network creator I can suggest you consider taking another look at your network settings. There is a mid tier control level that allows people to see either all the pages or just the main page without registering.

You could also think about putting up some additional guidelines next to your community concept description to discourage interruptions and encourage your target audience to join. Reminds me of a sign I saw on a local shop saying, "This sign for employees and the illiterate only." If you look into my open social networking site Area Light, you will find I make an effort to be very clear on my intentions for the community. It does take up a lot of the main page real estate. I have been considering recording a video to replace much of it. I also recognize a lot of people will not even look at a video for the sheer task and time of it sometimes. So I am still contemplating how I want to do this.

Among the concepts I am working to incorporate in my site is the idea of using my network as a social network directory or hub- especially to other Nings. Yours would be a welcome addition to my community. If you joined, I would want to help you promote it by setting up a group dedicated to it- sort of like an outpost where my members can learn more about it, interact with you, and perhaps come to a mutual agreement they should join.

I actually seriously considered maintaining a membership on your site because I was so impressed and feel we are aligned. However, I know I am constrained by my investments of time into other areas and would want to consider the decision after learning a lot more about what you are doing and how my involvement could benefit me/ be incorporated into my business strategy.

Even my site has many members who do not maintain their profiles or interact regularly with the members. I realize other people face the same challenges and decisions I do. Despite my intention to address it, having these "dead" profiles is less than ideal and typical of the dynamics us network creaters are going to need to adapt to. Removing my membership on your site was actually a courtesy. So some simple guidelines will detract most who are not serious. The competing interests should pull most others away anyhow. Keep working on your selective recruitment and perhaps some intelligent outreach activities that attract like minded professionals to look closer into what you are doing.

I'm excited to meet you. You've definately shown off some of your relationship marketing skills. That's part of what I like about you already. Rather than superficial network marketing, I can tell we are legitimately target marketing eachother and genuinely networking. It will be my pleasure to get to know you and about what you are doing over time. So thank you for introducing your site on this discussion and following up to show your appreciation by looking into me.

Best,

Anthony Reardon
CEO/ Imagineer
Nascent Dynamics ( ) Modern Business for the Modern Environment

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Permalink Reply by Mari Torres on September 18, 2008 at 12:27pm

Hey Anthony, thanks again for your insight. At first I thought that making the questions a requirement would stop certain people from joining but I understand what your saying, I am going to try that, but I will keep the questions up for those who want to answer, I want to encourage people to tell their stories. Their is so much to be gained when you just take the time to write about yourself and read about others.

I believe that we are truly networking and that is such a breath of fresh air I am going to add an area to my page that says "If you like this networking sites, try these as well."

I would also like to offer you my assistance in anyway that I can to support you in your efforts. I appreciate your time very much.

Mari Torres

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Permalink Reply by Mari Torres on September 25, 2008 at 3:12am

Thank You so much Donna, I really appreciate your support and participation.

I am very confident That this will be a success, We have some truly magnificent members.

Mari

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