Do you Ning?
If you’re not familiar with Ning, here’s what I wrote about it in University Business a couple of months ago:
Launched in October 2004, Ning is a social networking platform aimed at giving anyone the opportunity to create social networks for anything. Offered as a free web service-with some premium options for minimal monthly costs-Ning now powers thousands of niche social networking websites. With extended privacy settings and flexible state-of-the-art social networking features, this platform has gained some traction in higher education as a viable alternative to solutions offered by traditional vendors.
Among the institutions using the Ning platform are Keene State College (N.H.) for its private social networking website targeted to alums; the University of Richmond for a university-specific network open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni; the University of Wales, Newport (U.K.), for an online community targeted to new and prospective students; and the University of Maryland School of Social Work for My Social netWork, a website dedicated to the school’s new and current students.
Ning is definitely something you want to check out if you’re planning to launch an online community or social networking website for prospective/current students, alums or your campus community at large – especially in those tough budget times since this platform is very powerful, but doesn’t cost a dime (or a very minimal fee if you want your site to be ad-free).
Mark Greenfield from the University at Buffalo has become a sort of Ning evangelist in higher ed. Beyond his work on the uwebd social networking website – powered by Ning – Mark has also created several Ning websites for his institution and several associations.
Mike Caulfield launched the alum community of Keene State College powered by Ning last April. Mike has also been a very active political online community organizer.
Both Mark and Mike will be joined by Adam Stahr from UNL on January 13-15, 2009 to present the 3 webinars of “Social Networks MBA,” a series that you shouldn’t miss if you are in charge of an online community/social networking website for your institution.
Already sold on the idea?
You can get more information and register for Social Networks MBA at www.higheredexperts.com/socialnetworksmba.
If you want to learn more about the different sessions, just keep reading:
“Social Networks MBA” is a 3-webinar series that will help you decide if your institution should launch its own private niche social networking website. After this series, you will know why and how to nurture and develop a thriving online community around your own social networking website.
January 13, 2009 1PM-2PM ET – Rain date: January 20, 2009 1PM-2PM ET 1PM-2PM ET
Besides and Beyond Facebook: Do’s and Don’t’s for your niche social network
Mark Greenfield, director of Web Services at UB, will help you figure out if a niche social network is what your institution needs to communicate with all or some of its constituents. Mark will share best practices and lessons learned in launching and maintaining a few niche social networks including a private site targeted to current students and a public site for higher ed web professionals.January 14, 2009 1PM-2PM ET – Rain date: January 21, 2009 1PM-2PM ET
ROI-Oriented Social Network in a Box: Why and how to buy an integrated social network
Adam Stahr, Assistant Director for Special Communication at UNL Admissions Office, will explain why and how his institution launched Club Red, a private social networking website targeted to admitted students. Adam will also help you understand what it takes to run a social network that delivers results and great return on investment.January 15, 2009 1PM-2PM ET – Rain date: January 22, 2009 1PM-2PM ET
Add-Member Social Network Mix : Why and how to host your free online community on Ning
Mike Caulfield, director of Web communications at Keene State College, will explain why and how his institution launched “About Keene and After,“ a private social networking website targeted to alums, in almost no time and no cost by leveraging the Ning platform. Mike will also share good tips and practical advice to jump start and nurture a community.
Find out more about this 3-webinar series at www.higheredexperts.com/socialnetworksmba. And, if you have any questions, feel free to email karine@collegewebeditor.com
