Jenn over @ memelabs recently posted a brilliant analogy comparing social networks to high school.  A sniggering must read.  I encourage you to visit and add your own submissions.

Funny thing is, I recently started a social network for my own high school reunion, happening this weekend.  Some things never change…..

A social network has to have some value: the members of our private network are only there, because they find value in reconnecting with old friends.  They are otherwise busy somewhere else.  If you build it, they will not necessarily come.  Sound familiar?

It has to be easy to use: some of my former classmates never really go online past google or outlook.  They are figuring out this white-label site, because they click on stuff, and nothing breaks and they are not insulted.

Citizen controls are crucial: before joining the network, as one former class-mate pointed out, they check out what they can control. If they have to give things away they are not comfortable with, they do not join.  Which leads me to….

Embrace the spectator: the vast majority of your network, will merely observe, and not participate.  Take this as a Good Thing.  While many Community Managers look at direct participation measures, their focus should really be examining derived measures to determine the effectiveness of their social media program.  Despite the explosion of voices online these days, realize that people are cautious by nature.  Natural selection and all that.

Get over yourself: not news, but worth mentioning.  My former classmates respect each other for the lives they have lived since high school.  There were cliques, sure, while we were there.  But now?  Pffft. We’ve all been through the wars, gone various routes, had success and failures, and those things are no longer important.  We’re alive and getting together,  That is what matters.  Show respect for everyone in your community.

Jenn has made a really good analogy - social networks are like high school.  You can’t be in every club, and still get good marks.

But, you can find one or two clubs that are right for you.