Ning is an awesome software which lets you setup your own social network. Do not be tempted to create 20 networks instead create one and build it.
Here are some quick videos by Robin Good on how to setup a Ning Network
Ning dos and donts
Do
Setup a group about your passion in life.
Do tie your Ning group to your main website
Do seek out people in your specific niche on Ning.
DO check out each person website you add to your friends list
Do leave a comment on each person you adds profile.
Do join 2-3 groups in your niche the more focused the better.
Do seek out leaders in your niche on Ning.
Do consider sub niches within your niche.
Do give it some time
Do love everyone even if they do not help in return.
Do not
Join every group you can just for volume
Do not leave the same message for each new person who joins a group you are a member of.
Do not try to sell a person before they know you or you know them.
Do not be a spammer
Do not care about your profit over your group members.
Do not create a group and do the above and then join all the other blackhat groups and drag Ning and other good people down.
Do not think you can talk and teach about things in a ebook before you have actually applied them to your online business first.
Do not think the one time spurt of effort will achieve your goals.
Do not just seek out people with the most users unless you have something in common
Do not give up on yourself or Ning the key is focus on 1 project at a time.
