Comments on: Hold my calls! I’m trying to figure out why one brand of online network is better than another! http://www.brandsimple.com/blog/2008/03/31/hold-my-calls-im-trying-to-figure-out-why-one-brand-of-online-network-is-better-than-another/ Keeping your brand simple to succeed. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:21:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: alex.chikovani http://www.brandsimple.com/blog/2008/03/31/hold-my-calls-im-trying-to-figure-out-why-one-brand-of-online-network-is-better-than-another/comment-page-1/#comment-45 alex.chikovani Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:15:59 +0000 http://www.brandsimple.com/blog/2008/03/31/hold-my-calls-im-trying-to-figure-out-why-one-brand-of-online-network-is-better-than-another/#comment-45 JDS1 it is good point you have made ! Allen, what do you think what is the next step in communications ? Because, I think it is true that many people just do not want to waste their time in that social networking sites. Is mobile direction is an option ? And also, one thing which might not directly engages in the issues we are discussing, but I have a great doubt that Starbacks is doing good last days, do not you think that it lost its attraction ? JDS1 it is good point you have made ! Allen, what do you think what is the next step in communications ? Because, I think it is true that many people just do not want to waste their time in that social networking sites. Is mobile direction is an option ?

And also, one thing which might not directly engages in the issues we are discussing, but I have a great doubt that Starbacks is doing good last days, do not you think that it lost its attraction ?

]]> By: JDS1 http://www.brandsimple.com/blog/2008/03/31/hold-my-calls-im-trying-to-figure-out-why-one-brand-of-online-network-is-better-than-another/comment-page-1/#comment-38 JDS1 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:56:21 +0000 http://www.brandsimple.com/blog/2008/03/31/hold-my-calls-im-trying-to-figure-out-why-one-brand-of-online-network-is-better-than-another/#comment-38 Great point, Allen. I also have profiles on all the major networking sites, but find myself spending less and less time with them. Why? I think it's to your points of a.) these sites are becoming commodoties and not really offering a differentiating factor; b.) too time consuming! If I were to compare each of the popular social networking sites from a branding persepctive, I would say that LinkedIn has done the best job thus far - carving out a specific niche and, for the most part, remaining relevantly different to its core group of users. However, copy-cat sites are popping up all the time and in order to survive I think they'll need to find a more sustainable advantage. If you're looking for a basis for comparison, I think search engines are a great example. The number of "search engines" that exist is astronomical. However, when you hear "search engine," you think Google. I beleive this is becasue of it's simple, relevant nature. Google provides more information, offers more products and is one of the largest companies in the world, yet visit their homepage and all you see is their logo, a few text links and a search bar. Social networks, and many companies for that matter, should take note. As a whole, I tend to feel that networking sites will eventually become a thing of the past, especially as digital media continues moving toward mobile. You speak a lot about brand "experience," and I believe the time it takes someone to keep up on all of their profiles will become too big a pain, equating to a negative experience and forcing us to find new, quicker ways of keeping in touch. Great point, Allen. I also have profiles on all the major networking sites, but find myself spending less and less time with them. Why? I think it’s to your points of a.) these sites are becoming commodoties and not really offering a differentiating factor; b.) too time consuming!

If I were to compare each of the popular social networking sites from a branding persepctive, I would say that LinkedIn has done the best job thus far – carving out a specific niche and, for the most part, remaining relevantly different to its core group of users. However, copy-cat sites are popping up all the time and in order to survive I think they’ll need to find a more sustainable advantage. If you’re looking for a basis for comparison, I think search engines are a great example. The number of “search engines” that exist is astronomical. However, when you hear “search engine,” you think Google. I beleive this is becasue of it’s simple, relevant nature. Google provides more information, offers more products and is one of the largest companies in the world, yet visit their homepage and all you see is their logo, a few text links and a search bar. Social networks, and many companies for that matter, should take note.

As a whole, I tend to feel that networking sites will eventually become a thing of the past, especially as digital media continues moving toward mobile. You speak a lot about brand “experience,” and I believe the time it takes someone to keep up on all of their profiles will become too big a pain, equating to a negative experience and forcing us to find new, quicker ways of keeping in touch.

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