In our last poll of the month, I asked the question: “Which social networking site do you use the most for your online business?”

And, based on 129 respondents, it was found that Facebook was the most popular social networking tool being used by JMMO readers and visitors (49%) who run their own online businesses.

Twitter comes as a far second, with 28% respondents saying that they use it for their online business. Then, there are MySpace (13%) and LinkedIn (10%) users.

Thanks again to everyone who voted. We’ll be sharing our latest poll shortly.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Poll Result: Most Popular Social Networking Tools for Online Business

As promised, here’s our newest poll of the month -

It’s interesting to know what social network do JMMO readers and visitors use the most when it comes to online businesses. Looking forward to your votes and comments.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

New Poll: Social Networking and Online Business

Every now and then, I receive specific questions from JMMO readers who are seeking real advice about making money online. Here’s one email* that I received recently about the social networking service called Ning, which I wrote about last year -

Hello, I have created my own art studio network on ning and want to feature workshop videos. I have spent the last two days trying to find out how to charge a membership fee using paypal for the payment processor on Ning, to no avail. I have been looking for add ons, etc. I see others doing it but I can not figure it out. Can you help me?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you, Karen (cottonpickinranch.com)

Thanks for your email, Karen. As far as I’m aware of, there is no built-in solution yet at Ning for charging membership fees. From what I learned from other Ning creators/social media group managers who are charging membership fees, this is what they do:

1. Create a private social media group on Ning.

2. Set up a subscription payment scheme on Paypal. Grab the code.

3. You can either use that code directly – or find a widget that you can use.

4. Set up another site, blog, or another public Ning group (free membership), which can be your “launching pad” for your paid membership group. (For example, see this page.)

5. Add your code or widget to that site/blog/public Ning group.

6. Every time someone pays for a membership to your private paid membership Ning group, you can add them manually by sending them an invite to your paid group.

7. Of course, every time someone doesn’t pay their membership fees, you’ll have to remove them manually too.

As you can see, it is a bit of work. And, while I know there are people doing it, it’s not the most ideal solution from what I can see. That’s the bad news.

The good news is: I heard that Ning developers are trying to come up with some monetizing scripts that will enable easier integration of Paypal, etc with Ning. I’m not sure when this is going to happen, and if it’s going to be a free or a premium service (like their Adsense module). But, if it does come through, it will be a more attractive solution for folks who wish to run their own membership sites on Ning.

In any case, good luck with your membership site, Karen. I hope it works out for you. Do let us know how it goes!

And, to other readers who may be running their own membership sites, we’d love to hear about your experiences too.

* Email slightly edited for presentation.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Money Chat: How do you charge membership fees on Ning?

If you’re wondering how you can monetise Facebook, then here are some ideas for you -

1. Find new business clients. Whether you’re a consultant, a writer, a photographer, an illustrator, or any other kind of freelance or online business worker, you can find new clients using this popular social networking site. Read more about finding clients on different sites.

2. Use various apps that enable you to make money. Some examples include: MarketLodge or TwitCash. You might also want to include apps by other money making ventures like Tradebit. Check some services or affiliate programmes and see if they have a Facebook app that you can use.

3. Use Facebook’s Marketplace. The Marketplace offers you ways to sell your stuff – either old or new. You can even look for jobs.

4. Advertise your business or service using Facebook’s Classified Ads. Although you’re not allowed to advertise your business or service in the Marketplace, you can still advertise them using their Facebook’s ad service.

5. Promote links to your blogs or website. This way, you can attract people to whatever you’re selling or promoting on your blog or site.

6. Be a Facebook App Developer. If you have skills in developing online applications (like those popular apps like Warbook, SuperPoke, Graffiti, etc), you might want to consider promoting your services to individuals or companies who might want their own Facebook app.

So, how do you use Facebook? Do you try to make money online through this social networking site?

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

6 Ways to Make Money Online with Facebook

During our last poll, we talked about using social networking tools to make money online. And, as you can see from the chart, majority of the voters reported that they do use social networks for their online work.

46% reported that they use social networking as part of their online business strategy. 11% reported that they do it a little. And 32% said that although they’re not using it yet at the moment, they plan to do so. And, I hope that they do. I wonder though, what’s stopping those who folks who don’t use social networking?

There’s 11% who said “No way” to the idea of making use of social networking as part of their online work plans. Does this mean that they actually don’t see the point of using them? I wonder why?

In any case, thanks again to all who voted. I’ll be posting a new poll of the month shortly.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Poll Results: Do you use social networking to help you to make money online?

It’s that time of the month again, when we wrap up our monthly poll. This time, we’re talking about social networking and online businesses.

If you haven’t voted yet, I encourage you to do so. I’ll be closing this poll shortly and reporting the final votes in the next few days or so.

If you already voted, thank you. I really do appreciate your feedback.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Poll Reminder: Do you use social networking to help you to make money online?

Twitter is something I’ve been writing a lot about on my personal blog. One of my post popular Twitter articles is: Top 9 Ways to Use Twitter.

If you think I’ve always loved Twitter… Well, I have to say that I wasn’t always a fan. When it first came out, I signed up for it. Tried it. Then, immediately discarded it. Tried it again, still nothing. I even ended up deleting my first Twitter account. A few months later, I tried it again. Liked it a bit better. But, still felt lost on why I should use it. Tried it again. And slowly, I found more and more uses for it. Now, it’s part of my work and social life.

What about you? Do you use Twitter at all?

Our current poll already asks whether you use social networking as part of your online business or not. And, I was wondering if Twitter plays a role at all in your online work? If yes, how?

And, if you do Twitter, please feel free to share the URL to your Twitter account in the comments section below. Maybe fellow JMMO readers can check them out too.

If you’re interested, mine’s at http://twitter.com/shaicoggins.

Image: Based on Microsoft Stock Photo. Edits, Shai Coggins.

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Open Mic Monday: Do You Twitter?

So, with all the buzz about social networking, I wanted to know how many folks are using sites like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, etc to make money online. So, do you use social networking to help you to make money online? Vote in this poll of the month -

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

New Poll: Do you use social networking to help you to make money online?

I know I’ve mentioned a couple of ways to make money with Facebook before. But, other than that brief programme Chitika ran, I haven’t really heard much about people making money directly from their social networking sites.

However, today I heard about this new opportunity that ties making money with Facebook through a social networking marketplace called Market Lodge. You basically need to install The Market Lodge App in your Facebook account and recommend products you chose from ML to your friends and contacts.

Anyway, an article from The Age says:

(But) a new application aims to inject more commerce into the social playground by paying Facebook members who help merchants sell to their friends.

The program, called Market Lodge, revolves around the notion that consumers are more likely to buy merchandise or services recommended by someone they know and trust.

Market Lodge, made by a startup called bSocial Networks Inc., will pay Facebook members a 10 percent commission on all sales made on their recommendations.

I’ve had a quick look but haven’t fully investigated yet. So, I’m not sure how good this will really be as an option to make money online with Facebook.

If you’ve had a chance to check it out, I’d love to read your feedback. What do you think? Do you believe this is a viable option to make money on Facebook? Will you try this at all?

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Facebook and Market Lodge?

You know that some of the most popular sites on the web – MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr – are all built on the concept of social networking. So, if you want a slice of the social networking pie, you might consider using Ning as a tool.

Building a social networking business is especially useful if:
1. You have a passion for building web communities.
2. You support an interest/hobby that may interest several people who wish to get together.
3. You have a few monetisation ideas in place.

So, if you don’t have to money to hire a developer, designer, etc. that you will need in order to build a social networking site, you can use Ning as a “straight out of the box” solution. All you need to do is sign up (it’s free), create your own network, start inviting people to become a member, load your site with some content, and find ways to monetise your network.

Some of Ning’s features include:
1. Integration with Flickr (a photo sharing site) – and a few other websites/services.
2. Ability to upload photos, videos, music
3. It has a forum function and RSS.
4. Members can create their own profiles and network with each other.
5. Use domain mapping/Use your own domain name (extra fee)
6. Customised templates
7. Premium features (with fees applicable)
8. Widgets/badges

Top 5 Ways to Make Money Online with Ning*
1. Run your own ads (Adsense, etc). However, in order to do this, you need to pay a premium service of $19.95/month
2. Charge membership fees. If you have a highly specialised topic in mind, and you have several useful content and services that you can offer via your social networking site, then you might be able to charge membership fees.
3. Affiliate links. If you have products that you wish to promote to your highly targeted network, then adding content with affiliate links might be useful.
4. Selling your own products/services. Again, like affiliate linking, selling your own products/services might be acceptable to your members if you have something good to offer.
5. Selling direct advertising. If you have the all-clear to sell direct advertising, then this can be another source of income for your social network.

*Please note that some of these suggestions may not be according to terms and conditions, depending on your level of service/partnership with Ning. You are advised to check beforehand.

Technorati Tags: advertising, make money online, memberships, ning, social networking

This post is originally from Just Make Money Online. Please respect copyright.

Ning: Making Money from Social Networking