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Online Social Networking For Video Producers

As online social networks continue growing with members and features, they will benefit video producers who create plans for their involvement online.

Being consistent with this plan will enable the building of rapport and more video distribution than ever. Think of it like organizing a video project: there's Pre-production, Production and Post-production. Even still, new social offerings keep popping up like wildflowers in spring. Many websites include video distribution elements, such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. There are so many social sites to be a part of, that some basic organization is called for. Will joining three social networks be better for distribution, or will 10 be better? We'll look at the benefits of forming a plan, and what tools are available to help organize your online social networks.

The Social Network Landscape

At 200 million users, MySpace has almost twice as many users as Facebook. Compare that to LinkedIn's registered 30 million. While MySpace is the top social space in terms of numbers, the professional reservoir LinkedIn boasts an active community of video producers. These social networks are a great way to meet other people. You may find other video producers from your home town or even from across the globe. You're also likely to find others with secondary interests, such as soapbox derby racing or gardening.

When it comes to joining networks, we at Videomaker often hear, “How much is too much?" Well, there are certainly hundreds of networks out there to join. We recommend joining no more than four to start. This number will be manageable as you add content to your network, find contacts and send out video. First, explore a social network that a friend has recommended. Chances are, it's Facebook or MySpace. These two are great for connecting with friends you might already know. Next, join a specialized community like LinkedIn to connect with professionals. And finally, add a social bookmarking site to your arsenal. These websites allow you to keep track of videos you've watched, articles you've read and personal websites you've visited. StumbleUpon and Reddit are quite fun. They feature sharing options to let your friends see all the cool people and places you've found online.

How about taking your online social network and forming it into a real-live company? Online blogging network GigaOm reports that you can do just that if you live in Vermont. A recently-signed bill allows you and your friends to run a Limited Liability Company (LLC) without ever meeting in person. Already this bill has added value to having an organized social ne…