Inside this month's issue:

How did your agency stack up against others that completed TAAR’s 2009 survey?

The role of the traditional sales manager needs to change.

Are you checking the financials of potential prospects before you dedicate your time to them?

Learn why Gmail is so popular and why it’s growing so rapidly.

SalesForce offers many benefits—and it is dramatically less expensive than traditional CRM systems.

Tips and tricks for using the Flip Video Camcorder.

Meet Ning—an online social media service that allows users to create their very own social networking sites.

Several useful—and free—translation services are available to decipher Internet content not written in English.

A new, intriguing iPhone application; sending crime tips via text messages; Secret Session at AMS Users Group Convention.

The Insurance Information Institute makes it easy for you to use their videos on your site to inform and educate.

April 2009

Web Trends

Steve Anderson

Create Your Own Custom Social Network Web Site

A few agencies are beginning to understand that the social network phenomenon may have some very practical business uses. Social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace are proving to a growing number of people, both young and old, that being connected to others through a Web site can have some great benefits.

Creating a private social network

There are a number of tools available to help any organization create its own private (or public, if they desire) social network platform. One of those tools is Ning.

Ning is an online social media service that allows users to create their very own social networking site. Each user can also participate and join in other networks created on the site. The site is specifically designed so that technical and programming skills are not necessary to create your customized social network. Joining other networks, no matter how many there are, is no different.

When on a Ning social network site, users have access to the...

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