Hop on the Social Media Bandwagon

A friend spoke to me over the weekend about creating a social media (SM) application like Facebook as a product for Sri Lanka. I've been meaning to write about the trend towards creating SM apps and then hoping they'll boom like Facebook. Unfortunately the harsh truth is that its not going to happen. By 2010 Facebook has managed to pass MySpace, Bebo, Friendster, Orkut, hi5 and everyone else out there. Although the facts are clear, there are plenty of entrepreneurs creating SM apps that are similar to Facebook and trying to make money off it. The obvious issue is that for a SM site to be successful, loads of people need to register, like it enough to sign in everyday and have things to do when they've signed in. So, should you create your own SM app or jump on Facebook and get your stuff done.

There is no point in creating just another SM app. If you want to create an app that involves social networking, target a niche or bring something revolutionary to the table. Facebook has grabbed the market with their clean and simple interface and ever evolving set of features. Another reason you don't want to create just another SM app is because people are already on Facebook and Twitter and maybe MySpace, they aren't going to manage anymore SM sites.

So what's my advice as someone who works with Facebook, Google and Yahoo on a daily basis? It is to use the hardwork that Facebook has done over the years to your advantage. Since they've managed to get all the people in the world to use their application, use this fact to your advantage; use the pages, advertising, marketplace, groups and everything else to sell your stuff. I'll come up with some suggestions in the near future on how you can use Facebook to your advantage.