Social networks aren’t anything new, but what makes them different is what makes them new — to you, until you visit them. This article contains brief descriptions and commentaries on ten social networks (plus one site that lets you build your own network!) that offer something special and unique that those mega corporate branded social networks cannot – Unique Commonality Focusing Community on Joint Efforts.
This article is about Internet social networks and what other exciting options that you might be missing out on. The vast expansion that is known by many names, but more infamously known as the Internet, Web, or Net, is truly a world that never sleeps – and while you sleep, the world that you remember has zipped right past you.
Major social networks such as Myspace, Facebook and YouTube attract millions of new unique visitors and registered members everyday, so this is where this article gives an honorable mention to those already worldwide well known “Super Mega Corporate Branded Giants leading the social networking industry”. Cool!?

It is suspected that there are millions of social network members that could potentially be reading this article for the first time and grumbling inside that their social network isn’t mentioned in this article, well there is always Google. There is absolutely no way to mention every single one of the thousands of social networks existing on the web today or yesterday.
This article is about the social networks that are uniquely different than the other guys that we all should know about by now. If you are scratching your heads after that last comment, then let me save you some time – you need to return to re-education camp and let friendly corporate proxies direct your attention to the hypnotic sights and sounds of the modern day “Big Top Traveling Circus”.
The social networks that are popular today – could be replaced by one of these other social networks, tomorrow. You are the future, so lead the way!
SocialSplash is a social network that offers its members all of the bells and whistles that the most familiar Internet social networks have to offer, but with one obvious difference that sets this online community apart from the rest; SocialSplash.com rewards its members with free gifts in exchange for their participation. Earn points for sharing your photos, videos, and blogs, and then exchange these points for cool gifts in the SocialSplash.com Store. Pretty cool!
Finally, a social network for people who love canine companionship and appreciate meeting other people who enjoy socializing with like-minded individuals. Perfect place for people to swap stories, exchange photos, post blogs or participate in group activities that are designed to bring the canine community closer together. Now your dog has a place online to call home and mingle with the other lovable hounds excitedly wagging their tails to meet you.
With the US elections looming on the horizon, this social network is geared to empower the Democrats to take control of the future of their party. Members are provided the tools that are needed to manage groups, or activists to organizing and managing real-world events. Create your own blog and easily connect with other members of the Democrat party by joining a Partybuilder group.
FriendWise is an adult-only online social network that connects individuals with the best and most up-to-date tools to make the FriendWise experience a memorable one. FriendWise is not affiliated with Myspace, Facebook, Tagworld or other my space social networking sites.
This social network is a comprehensive Hip Hop destination, featuring broadband TV, a social network and the latest news about the Hip Hop community. Members can blog about their passions, watch videos, participate in community forums, meet new people that share a common interest and get the latest news relating to the Hip Hop culture.
This is an ultra exclusive social network for individuals with a high net worth and famous friends that search for a place to socialize with more people sharing their economic lifestyle. This social network is by invite only, so even if you have millions in the bank, you still may not qualify for membership in this enclave of super rich and ultra elite community membership. Personally, I am still waiting for my invitation, but I won’t hold my breath, because I am just a lonely writer and not an ultra elite superpower processing an equally high net worth.
4chan is a simple image-based bulletin board where anyone can post comments and share images. If you are in the mood to join a community that is always lively and entertaining and always have something interesting to share, then you are missing the fun at 4chan.
Are you the type of individual who enjoys socializing by way of live Internet chat rooms? If so, then ChatGab.com is the social community that you have been looking for. ChatGab.com provides its members with free chat rooms, a forum, blog and other community and personal features that will make finding new friends a snap.
PunkRockEmo is a social network that brings rockers and music lovers in general closer together. Share music. Join a forum. Debate and argue your musical knowledge with other like-minded people from around the world. If you love all things music, then this might be a new social network worth checking into to you.
RV Scrapbook is an online social network that’s sole focus is related to the RV traveling lifestyle community. RV Scrapbook is the social networking experience for people who are living or desiring to live an adventurous over-the-road RV lifestyle and meet other RV’ers that want to share their knowledge, experiences and passions of this lifestyle with other like-minded people from around the world. This social network is for you Mom and Dad; so don’t say that I am never thinking about you.
So, you are thinking about now, that this was a stupid article about social networks that just doesn’t offer the tools or the environment that you would offer to your members. Now, you are thinking that you could have done a better job organizing and building your own social network that would just blow anyone of these social networks out of the water and you are determined to let your thoughts be known in the comments section at the bottom of this page. But, Wait! Let’s just see how good and different your ideas are and then – visit Ning to actually build your very own social network for free. Build it the way that you want it to be. Grant your members the tools that you want them to have and use. Once you have finished building your own social network, then return to this article and leave a link to your social network masterpiece and let the chips fall where they may.
























April 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
An informative article about social networking alternatives. I especially like the last one listed here, Ning sounds pretty interesting. I could build my own social network for my ebay friends to share ideas to make our ebay experiences more profitable and friendly. Thanks for sharing and for taking the time to collect all of these websites.
April 9th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Nelson, as usual you supply lots of good info. Thank you.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Have you seen Virb.com ?
April 10th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I can’t help but think the first one, SocialSplash, is off base.
My first reaction was “Freebies! …so they are looking to lure people looking for free handouts to their site?” I’m not sure if I want to mingle in a community designed to attract beggars, much less one that encourages activity based on it…
Is that girl participating in my conversation because she wants to, or because she’s one point away from some freebie?
I’ll pass I think…
April 10th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I’m not sure I’ve heard of any of these before.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Another good one, Nelson.
Very informative.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:51 am
another great article w/ lots of info,
i’ll try some them…
thanks
April 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I never knew that there was soo many new social networks! I think I’m going to try social splash
April 12th, 2008 at 10:27 am
lets start social site about social networks
lol
bloggersmosaic.com
May 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I wouldn’t recommend Ning to anyone. It’s slow and badly designed. A huge number of the communities on Ning are dead or dying, and it’s probably because it’s such a clunky site.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Great Post! I like the SocialSplash one. I actually joined and now i’m earning points. I have a myspace and facebook also but if i can get free gifts for sitting online all day on a social network i might as well try socialsplash.
June 25th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Hi Nelson, read some of your articles related to social networks and music. Together with some friends we are building an online community (TribeofNoise.com) for musicians, songwriters and other music lovers. I would like to invite you for a preview.
Can’t find your e-mail address to invite you
Can you contact me please?
Hessel
hessel@tribeofnoise.com
http://www.tribeofnoise.com
June 26th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I have created a social networking site for Autism. I used the open source software Drupal to build it, free and relatively easy to use.
http://autism-blog.com