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“It’s all about people.” ~Mike Davidson
Michael Stelzner, the genius behind SocialMediaExaminer.com and other ventures, just announced what he calls the Networking Clubs. The basic idea behind his idea is having an online forum that is honed in on social media.
Before you leave a comment flaming me about how you already belong to 29 social media groups on LinkedIn/Facebook/Google+/DigitalPoint/WarriorForum/WickedFire and so forth, let me share five reasons why I think Social Media Examiner’s Networking Clubs are different and better.
5. Specializing in Social Geek Speak
All the other social media groups out there usually are part of a bigger ecosystem. Take LinkedIn for example. I belong to several social media groups on this social network. However, the fundamental flaw is that LinkedIn caters to the masses, which means their taste in tools must be vanilla. They cannot afford to give me unique, specified, tools tailored to my social media needs.
Instead, I get what every other group out there gets, and I highly doubt sending an email to the LinkedIn hierarchical will change that fact. As my friend’s mother always said, “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” Now, you don’t need to throw a fit, because Social Media Examiner is catered to the social media geeks.
4. Powered By Social Authority
One thing I feel is important about the new Networking Clubs is that experts are the ones powering the clubs. If you watch Michael Stelzner’s video below you will see each club being handled by a social media expert.
In fact, if you are familiar with Social Media Examiner than you know that this is what makes them different from the rest of the social media blogs. They specialize in having the “real” gurus teaching you social media.
They have now taken this philosophy and added a true social element of interaction. To me this is probably the most important point. Having someone who has done it and can teach it is H.U.G.E.!
3. Influence Builds Community
In Mike’s post he shares that Social Media Examiner receives 450,000 unique visitors a month. That much targeted traffic is amazing, and will be a significant reason to why the Networking Clubs will be a driving force in the social media arena.
More importantly is that the exposure will capture a lot of people who have similar social media needs. Similar needs creates a synergy of collaboration. From this synergy will we see new solutions arise to old (and new) problems.
That’s the beauty of crowd sourcing problems. However, crowd sourcing requires a crowd to exist, and I have no concerns that Social Media Examiner will entice the masses (the right masses) to join.
2. Rewarding Socialness
One aspect that distinguishes Social Media Examiner’s Networking Clubs is the ability to reward those who are active. I am not simply talking about a vanity badge that you showcase on your profile either. The Networking Clubs are the first forums I have come across that provide valuable rewards to valuable contributors. And what is more valuable to marketers than serious exposure?
The Networking Clubs top contributors are displayed on Social Media Examiner’s blog. Remember me mentioning how 450,000 people come to SocialMediaExaminer.com? Imagine buying banner space on blog like that! Nothing like dangling a very large carrot in front of hungry marketers!
1. Building on Greatness
I read Michael’s book Launch, and in it he talks about how he was able to build Social Media Examiner to a million dollar blog in just one year. I firmly believe Michael has taken the same measure of deliberation in building the Networking Clubs.
If he has, which I sincerely believe he has, than you can count that these Networking Clubs are not only going to be outstanding, but also immensely helpful. Those of us who participate early on will see great benefit, and will probably be sending Michael a personal letter of gratitude on how his little project made all the difference in our social media efforts.
BONUS TIP: It’s $FREE.99
When I say $FREE.99 I mean it is free now, free tomorrow, free indefinitely!
So, there are my five-ish reasons on why Social Media Examiner’s Networking Clubs are going to be awesome for your social media efforts. Of course, I offer the disclaimer that I have not yet tried out the clubs, but this isn’t because I haven’t tried. Michael posted that he has opened up the clubs for 500 beta testers to try out. I signed up two hours after the post went live, but it looks like I didn’t make the cut off. However, I hope this post will convince Michael that he really needs to have 501 beta testers before going live !
12/25/2011 Update – Today I received an invite to the Network Clubs. I have already checked it out and it looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. Thanks Michael for the Christmas present!!!
Thanks Mike! I just received the invite. I appreciate you giving me the 501st beta testing position! I hope you had a great Christmas, and thank you for giving me such a great Christmas present!
Thank you for sharing. I just put my name on the list. Have you received your invites yet? jim syyap recently posted..Make it easy for them to click on Like
Hey Jim, thanks for all the comments on my blog. I did receive and invite yesterday, about the time you left the comment here. Let me know if you make it into the group!
Paul,
Great roundup. I’ve switched my attention to the SME clubs and have found the content is superior. It’s only been about a week and I’ve already learned a ton. I’ll look for you there!
Susan SWrightBoucher recently posted..Why Social Media Works
Great article! I too applied to join but got the wait list email. However like yourself, I received an invite not too long later! I think this is a great thing that’s been put together. Just looking and reading today I found it to be more rich in social media info (and people) than other social network groups.
I am curious to know when you signed up. I thought, and it looks like I might be wrong, that by the time I signed up the 500 beta testers had filled up. Either way, I am glad to be in.
I signed up on 12/24 when I saw the post linked on Facebook and a few hours later got the email about them letting me know when they had more openings. I got the “you’re in” email yesterday. It seems like there should be more than 500 if they are sending those emails out and then accepting people. Like you, I’m glad I’m in regardless! Mandy Edwards recently posted..My Top Events of 2011
I agree, the timing isn’t important (though, I do wonder if my post helped at all)! It looks like you and I signed up about the same time. So, I think that answers my question concerning my post. However, I would do it all over again if it means getting Michael Stelzner to my blog =).
!
Hey Paul,
Well done. You are on the list. It won’t be long for you…
Merry Christmas.
Mike
Michael Stelzner recently posted..Introducing the Networking Clubs From Social Media Examiner
Thanks Mike! I just received the invite. I appreciate you giving me the 501st beta testing position! I hope you had a great Christmas, and thank you for giving me such a great Christmas present!
Thank you for sharing. I just put my name on the list. Have you received your invites yet?
jim syyap recently posted..Make it easy for them to click on Like
Hey Jim, thanks for all the comments on my blog. I did receive and invite yesterday, about the time you left the comment here. Let me know if you make it into the group!
Very nice overview of the Networking Clubs, Paul!
Thanks Andrea, I look forward to writing a further in depth review once I dig in and really understand the clubs!
Paul,
Great roundup. I’ve switched my attention to the SME clubs and have found the content is superior. It’s only been about a week and I’ve already learned a ton. I’ll look for you there!
Susan
SWrightBoucher recently posted..Why Social Media Works
Let’s definitely connect. I would be interested in hearing your perspective on the clubs.
Great article! I too applied to join but got the wait list email. However like yourself, I received an invite not too long later! I think this is a great thing that’s been put together. Just looking and reading today I found it to be more rich in social media info (and people) than other social network groups.
I am curious to know when you signed up. I thought, and it looks like I might be wrong, that by the time I signed up the 500 beta testers had filled up. Either way, I am glad to be in.
Paul-
I signed up on 12/24 when I saw the post linked on Facebook and a few hours later got the email about them letting me know when they had more openings. I got the “you’re in” email yesterday. It seems like there should be more than 500 if they are sending those emails out and then accepting people. Like you, I’m glad I’m in regardless!
Mandy Edwards recently posted..My Top Events of 2011
I agree, the timing isn’t important (though, I do wonder if my post helped at all)! It looks like you and I signed up about the same time. So, I think that answers my question concerning my post. However, I would do it all over again if it means getting Michael Stelzner to my blog =).
Spent the last few weeks in the Network Clubs and have seen why they will be helpful and powerful. I will try to write a follow-up article shortly.