Here’s the latest post in our “INDUSTRY INSIDERS” column. Every Monday, we’ll be bringing you the inside scoop from several awesome association technology vendors and consultants who will share the insights they have gleaned from years of working in our association industry. would argue, and many others have too, that Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People is a great primer for social communities and, more importantly, for defining your Code of Conduct. Social Networking – Relating it to Six Ways to Make People Like You. MORE >>

A study carried out by Sensis shows how consumers are using social networks. Of course, most people are using the social networks for personal reasons, but you should pay attention to these numbers. They seem small, but what they tell me is that people are on the social networks for personal reasons, but while they are there they are also using their time to research consumer opportunities. So what industries are represented? Obviously, if you are in the clothing or fashion industry, then it looks good for you. Electrical goods = 39%. MORE >>

Social Network services are not that. Social media gives people the impression that they are getting stuff done – but they are not.  Yet so many social media services sell advertising.  The objective of advertising as an industry is to influence you to do something other than what you already want to do.   Each of these things impacts people’s activities, and therefore, much of the crap that people share on social network services. We are in the middle of creating a different type of social network in Social Flights. MORE >>

Successful social networking depends upon a number of factors, with your personality, values, and beliefs being some of the more highly relevant ones. Social media is social, and that means your personal values and beliefs will eventually be expressed, whether that is intentional or not. Knowing that most people are looking for agreement in social situations, there is an important question that many of us have considered. Some consider golf to be a complete waste of time, while advocates believe it is the ultimate social activity. Think of a golf club. MORE >>

Lately we can’t get on the computer without hearing about the start of a new social network. Despite being inundated with noise to the contrary, you may not have to register on that new network. You don’t need to spend 8 hours a day shuffling from network to network to be successful marketing your business online. Make Yourself Useful— Your readers want to learn about your industry. How about posting quick suggestions or thoughts on your industry? Social’s Not Your Full Time Job— That’s right. That’s when social becomes unproductive. MORE >>