Social networks for entrepreneurs, bookworm dating and Facebook rivals. Today we hunt: SOCIAL MEDIA UPCOMERS - Sprint Firsts in the Next Gen of Online Media.
And now, the Sprint Top Ten.
10) Flipboard allows you to scan through the best of your social media at the touch of your iPad. It integrates both Facebook and Twitter to create your own custom social media magazine.
9) Headliner FM allows musicians to connect and support each other in the hopes of turning their online fans into real-life groupies.
7) Facebook may have a stronghold over the United States, but in some countries, like Brazil, sites like Orkut have the edge...
6) Togetherville is just as addictive as Farmville for young children. This supervised social networking site allows kids to stay in touch with loved ones and interact with people their own age online safely.
5) The Make the Difference Network serves as a liaison between your idle goodwill and charitable organizations looking to put it to good use. You can change someone's life just by clicking on the "Find Your Wish," button.
4) Sprouter is like Twitter, but it caters to entrepreneurs. Share, collaborate and lend or receive a helping hand by joining this revolutionary business social media site.
3) '1000Memories' is a virtual community that celebrates the lives of lost loved ones. Deceased family members or friends can have their own virtual memorial and resting place.
2) Don't get stressed when you have a paper due in 24 hours and your coffee is running low! Head on over to Cramster -- a site that hooks you up with an expert to answer your questions in any subject.
1) 'Alikewise' lets others embrace you inner bookworm. The site aims to play matchmaker based on the literature you love. Does the Harry Potter series count?
Video of the Day: Sprint
Social Media Upcomers
Sprint Firsts in the Next Gen of Online Communities
Trend Themes
1. Next-gen Social Media - Opportunities for developing new social media platforms that cater to specific user needs and interests, such as those focused on entrepreneurship, literary matchmaking, or grief memorialization.
2. Multi-platform Integration - Opportunities for integrative software and applications that incorporate the features and functions of multiple social media and networking sites, such as Flipboard's magazine-style aggregation of Facebook and Twitter feeds.
3. Niche Communities - Opportunities for developing smaller and more specific communities within the larger context of social media, such as Togetherville's kid-safe platform for socializing or 1000Memories' virtual memorials for loved ones.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - The burgeoning social media industry, which is continually expanding and evolving to meet the diverse needs and interests of users across the globe.
2. Technology - The technology industry, which provides the infrastructure and tools for developing and implementing innovative social media platforms and applications.
3. Entertainment - The entertainment industry, which can leverage the vast reach and engagement potential of social media to promote and distribute content to audiences worldwide.