Buddypress
Buddypress is a set of plugins that expands the functionality of Wordpress MU transforming it into a social network. Think of it as Wordpress.com and Facebook combined. Here are some features:
- Extended profiles (similar to Facebook)
- Private messaging
- Friends
- Groups
- The wire (wall)
- Activity streams
- Personal blogs, with blog tracking
- Forums
And coming soon….
- Status updates
- Photo albums
Start your own social network
If you have something you are passionate about, people will listen. The more you interact with them, and get involved with their ventures, the more they will listen. If you have the tools in place, a social network will blossom. It happens naturally, a social network is something every human wants to be a part of. It is a rewarding experience sharing what you love with others, and there are some great ways to financially support the time you spend with it. It is easy to monetize a blog these days in a way that is not annoying or offensive to your visitors. Ask me about it sometime.
Buddypress is free and it gives your network the tools it needs to facilitate connections. Social networks built with Buddypress are cropping up everywhere, check some of them out. For my own part, I have a network set up for my family (Elandsonline) so we can stay connected even though we are spread out across the country.
Integrate a social network into your existing site
Interacting with your visitors/customers is becoming more important every day. People are less likely to believe what you have to say if you just blast generic information out in all directions, but if you get personally involved then you make a friend. If you make one friend, you make ten more through them, and so on.
Take advantage of the power of word-of-mouth and personal relationships. It is no longer just a local phenomena, if there is a related network that people have access to, it gets BIG quickly. It doesn’t take a pile of cash to build a social network for your site anymore, so what are you waiting for?
I have plans to implement a network for campers and staff at the Eagle Sky Foundation (where I work) as soon as the camps are operational.
