This past week I’ve discovered 2 new social networks that are worth checking out:
1 . VIRB
VIRB is a MySpace for artsy people who are into stuff like music and design. The notable difference on first impression is its aesthetic quality. We all know how ugly MySpace profiles can get–the first thing that comes to mind when I surf VIRB is how refreshingly easy it is on the eyes. Profile pages can vary in color schemes and fonts but page widths are fixed, there’s always plenty of “negative space,” and absolutely no unnecessary clutter. The site is clean and manages to look hip without the feeling of forced trendiness that plagues gimicky corporate sites (like mtv.com for instance). Visual people who put a premium on user experience and simplistic design will appreciate what they are trying to do and may even come to the conclusion, which came across my mind, that this is what MySpace and Bebo should have been all along. Then again I’m probably biased since I’m not really part of the MySpace crowd; I only use it to check out new bands and artists.
VIRB’s strategy to differentiate in the crowded market of social networks is to cater not only to musicians, but also fashion stores, professional photographers, designers, artists and organizations as well. The site just released, but they have done a great job of branding in my opinion and they already have some official profile pages set up for popular indie and MTV-2-esque artists like PlayRadioPlay!, The Decemberists, and Lily Allen, who I happen to dig.
2. Zoodango
Zoodango is a professional social network that wants to help people make business contacts and physically network with one another face to face. The vision is interesting, but what’s really interesting about this old people’s social network (haha) is its founder–James Sun, the only Asian American contestant in The Apprentice! His bio is pretty remarkable; long story short: family immigrated from Korea, studied business and computer science at University of Washington, started a technology investment fund with $5,000 at 18 which he turned into over $2 million by the time he was 23, worked for Deloitte Consulting, and is now the CEO of Zoodango and a finalist (that I for sure am rooting for) on The Apprentice. (It’s a joy to watch if you haven’t seen it, clips on Yahoo! here.)
Anyway, the site is an interesting concept. My first reaction to Zoodango was, “Why do I need another LinkedIn,” but a little exploration and I came to recognize where its value lies. The biggest downfall of LinkedIn in my opinion is that by creating my account all I’m really doing is putting my resume online for everyone to see. My public profile doesn’t say anything about my ideas or my lifestyle, and likewise the people I “connect” with are little more than names and job titles. Zoodango seems to have the right idea in that they are using social networking to give business contacts an actual glimpse into each other’s personal lives and interests. Should the two parties wish to do so, they can then use the service as a platform to meet face to face.
My $0.02
I’ve yet to sign up with either of these sites, but I thought they were cool and worth the mention. As with any startup, both will have their hurdles and issues to churn through before they see success. It may be hard for a small startup like Virb to take on a huge beast like MySpace but if they can keep the momentum going and continue bringing in indie artists and organizations with urban appeal they might do well in that ‘artsy’ niche.
Zoodango on the other hand basks in the huge publicity help that comes with James Sun’s running on the Apprentice, but I personally think their site needs to do a much better job of branding, design, and appeal. Not to mention as a site name, LinkedIn beats Zoodango without hesitation. Still, inner instinct moves me to show support for a fellow Asian internet entrepreneur. Good luck James Sun, may your venture succeed, and may you become The Donald’s consigliere proving once and for all that the “bamboo wall” can indeed be shattered.
