Are hobby social networking sites the solution?
Taking niche to another level are social networking websites which focus around hobbies. Take Ravelry for instance, which is a social networking website for knitters, spinners, weavers, crocheters, designers, dyers, etc. In no time, over 17,000 people were either in the site or on a waiting list. The site is still in beta.
Another hobby social networking website is Goodreads - a social networking site for book lovers.
Can these sites provide the solution for the lack a business model that plagues social networking websites? A subscription model looks doubtful - 
if we were to take this as the next step of niche groups/ discussion forums, I don’t really see people paying to be part of the network - it could attract niche advertisers however who would be interested in trying out their products, or are looking for talent, etc.
Update (Aug 13): Reuters ran a story - Social networks for dogs, bikes & sneakers
Filed under: Digital culture, Ideas & Innovations
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