Build Your Own Social Network of Influence

I've been spending a lot of time thinking about social networks and social networking lately. Not so much the established sites people generally think of like ActiveRain, Linked In or Facebook.

More from a personal business or corporate perspective - like a social network as a delivery platform, or an intranet, or a private client area. Or all of these wrapped in one.

Specifically I've been testing the IGLOO Software platform - a white label corporate social network solution. And there are lots of others in this space too.

From a real estate perspective, I think there are many compelling opportunities in creating your own personal social network - to connect with potential clients, and more importantly, keep your current clients happy and engaged with your brand.

The term "Sphere of Influence" is often used on ActiveRain. Working with your sphere is a great way to help grow your business, and a sphere is nature's strongest structure. If your Sphere of Influence is your family, friends, clients and bussinesses you associate with, what does that sound like?

So replace the word Sphere with Social Network.

And imagine the possibilities of your sphere as a social network:

• every interaction with your sphere (social network) is an extension of your brand
• create networking opportunities for your sphere, within your sphere
• increase your sphere with the features and functionality inherent to social networks
• empower every client to be part of your sphere by providing a network
• provide a virtual wlecome wagon for clients relocating to your area
• efficient content delivery with subscriptions and feeds
• virtual, private office environment (online) for sharing material with clients
• collaborate with partners for shring documents in a secure work space
• stay top of mind with personal and exclusive content and special offers or deals

The barriers to entry for creating your own, personal (branded) social network are coming down pretty fast.

If the members of your sphere were also members of your own social network, that would be pretty cool. And good for business.