Specialized Social Networks: The Purposes They Serve
There are at least a dozen prominent social networks available today. That number has grown over the last decade, when the most recognized of social networks originally began. Now, more specialized social networks, such as fitness social networks and freelancer social networks, have been developed and launched. These networks will undoubtedly grow in use and popularity because the specialized interest groups who want to connect to each other. For a greater understanding of the purposes of these specialized networks, the following is provided.
They Serve to Connect Professionals
Some of these niche social networks serve to connect professionals. One example is the subset of fitness networks that are aimed at physical trainers. Physical trainers can connect all over the country to talk about different approaches to training clients, how to get more clients, changing approaches to help clients achieve goals, staying fit themselves, etc. If a trainer has a question or problem he/she cannot resolve, or if he/she wants something new in the area of job training, he/she can connect through this niche network to ask other trainers how to fix the problem or get the training.
They Serve to Connect Special Interest and Hobby Groups
Extreme cat lover? Believer in unicorns, fairies, and mermaids? Whatever your hobby or special interest is, there is a social network in the making for it. You may have to track it down, since it does not feature as prominently as, say, Facebook or Myspace, but these niche social networks are out there. The best thing about them is that you connect to other people who may really "get you," and that is what people really like about these specialized networks.
They Help Weed Out People with Whom You Do Not Want to Connect
Sometimes you just do not want to accept a million friend requests from random people with whom you have nothing in common. In a niche network, you do not have to. Everyone there typically has the same special interests, which means you all start off on the same foot. You can still refuse requests and turn off notifications from different persons, but now you will at least have something in common with all of the members that join this or that special interest social network. That is different from general social networks where everyone is welcome to join, even if they have nothing in common and nothing in common with you.