Has anyone ever thought of having their own social network?

[shannieiner]

The reason why I ask is because I'm just curious to see what the answer is. I'm a web designer/social developer and I'm working on a few social and business networks right now. I was just wondering if given the choice - would you all stay just a member of social networks or would you run one? Thoughts & feedback please. What is everyone's experience with them? Has anyone's life significantly changed because of one or another? Mine has. Facebook is one. And I tell you - its a lot of work to create and run them, but I have the benefit of such that others don't have.

[lisabow44]

same here.

[oldbuddy]

I have tried running them, but I find it's much easier to just find a few good ones and get firmly established. I spend a LOT less time than trying to get people active and have managed to find all the good contacts I need so far. My policy is to constantly remind myself that I am retired and don't need or want a business, I just want the money. My time is my own and headaches are minimized by using what's already available.

[articx]

I've thought about creating a social network and placing ads on it to make money. Then if it got popular, I would sell it but continue to collect a percentage of the profits. The problem with doing this is that it would take too much work.

[mrisha]

The idea sounds good, but the time, effort, training, managing and finances it would  take is just too mind boggling.  The social sites that are available now works just fine for me.  I don't need anymore stress on my shoulders.

[gesus]

yeah i actually do and their called actual friends lol jk , but yea i wouldnt know where to began plus theirs enough of em already

[bozenabozena]

The reason why I ask is because I'm just curious to see what the answer is. I'm a web designer/social developer and I'm working on a few social and business networks right now. I was just wondering if given the choice - would you all stay just a member of social networks or would you run one? Thoughts & feedback please. What is everyone's experience with them? Has anyone's life significantly changed because of one or another? Mine has. Facebook is one. And I tell you - its a lot of work to create and run them, but I have the benefit of such that others don't have.

sounds like a good idea....

[shannieiner]

yes - they are a lot of work to develop but I love it! Thanks everyone for your comments and feedback. My primary income online use to be running marketing sites, but then I learned to create social sites and have done a lot of installations. This year though, I've had to switch hosts like 4 times for all my sites. I used to have the most perfect system set up for them and because of it have done over 50 social site installations - I know the ins and outs of them. Anyone heard of the buddy press social network system? Its a GPL program from Word Press. I have basically all the files for them since I've done it so much!! But my main interest was finding out about social habits and interest. I wanted to know if I was the only one crazy or inspired enough to do it.

Have a great day everyone!!!

[jabkman]

me and my friend was thinking about doing a facebook sort of thing around games... yes

[trujillo33]

That sounds fun and nice to do!! I would love too do it! Only problem is I do not know how to run social network!!

[thetotalfool]

Ning offers free ones, but most of the ones on their site get abandoned.  I wouldn't have the time to deal with it.

[gafee2001]

I had one for a while where people could swap collectibles while I was in high school. I made a percentage off of each sale on the site and the money I was bringing in was good. Unfortunately, I went to go complete my chemical engineering degree from an ivy league school and ran out of time to keep it up and running. Now, the income from a venture like that would pale in comparison to my income as a professional engineer, unless I dedicated a lot of time and energy into its growth. But I'm not sure the market right now is supporting such a venture so it's not really worth the time.

[gizmo42]

How much does it cost to start your own social network?

[eveliseh]

I have so many  creative ideas, but never focus and start what I really want... Talking about my own social network, I haven't thought about it   

[ninajay]

I would run one and I have some ideas too, but wouldn't know where to start