It’s Simple! Professional Niche-Based Social Networking Sites CAN Lead to Name Sourcing Gold IF You Have the Time to Use them Properly

Let me first say that I’m not referring to social networking sites such as Facebook.  Even though you can use Facebook in much the same way that the larger niche professional networking sites can be used, this posting only refers to them.  I’m speaking about interactive web sites that act as communication and networking portals that are focused ONLY on one profession or industry.  For example, projectmanagers.net, maintenance.org, or landmancommunity.com.   For the recruiters out there, in additional to many others, one such site is recruitingblogs.com. The URLs alone speak to the specificity of the sites.

Many of these sites were built on the .ning platform.  Though these were free, as of recent Ning is beginning to charge communities to maintain their sites.   Though many good sites died with such an announcement, those with serious owners and users have survived and grown. 

I’m sure this is obvious to most, but I always like to remind myself of the importance of such sites as I believe that many overlook them or haven’t yet tried them.  Plus, in order to truly take advantage of them for lead generation, names sourcing, or networking, you really either have to have a lot of time, or have someone on staff to work them properly.  Recently, they have led to gold for my sourcing efforts for fairly tough roles and that is why I am writing about them.  For those who have the time, it will pay off. 

Of course, you’ll need to find these communities, yet very likely you already know of some if you’ve been active in your area of recruiting focus.  There are many ways to do this, including starting with a simple keyword search using the niche keyword/s and adding on words used to describe such meeting places.  So, maintenance AND (forum OR community OR discussion OR society OR association OR “networking group” OR “networking site” OR ning OR etc.).

You might also try searching by keyword/s in the URL  - inurl:maintenance and then tie in with words used to describe such meeting places (forum OR community OR discussion OR society OR networking OR ning)  You might also do a search for sites with the word ning in the url by doing a url search - inurl:ning OR by doing a site search or x-ray search: site:ning.com and add applicable keywords.

You can also skip the search stuff and try looking through association sites for links to forums for members.  This can be a great way to find forums that allow posting and networking.  Use the great directory of associations produced by Weddle’s at http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm to find associations to search.

Make it Fun and Use the Real Time Search Options Provided by the Search Engines to Find these Communities

Yet, if you do search by keyword, make it fun and use the new options the search engines offer in relation to REAL TIME search.  So, do a keyword search like above, but then use the real time options to find these communities.  As of now Google does the best job of making this easier.

Run your search and then select “Everything” on the left of your screen. This will open up the search options.  Choose “Discussions” in the list of options.  Right away you’ll see applicable results.  But, you don’t need to stop there.  Scroll down and you’ll notice this:

    * All discussions
    * Forums
    * Q&As

Obviously you can then choose these options to further refine your results.  Obviously “Forums” offers just what you need.  Great stuff and it really makes it easier to find communities to begin to name source from.  Of course, the other engines offer this type of option but in a different way.  Feel free to use them as well as I do not endorse one over the other.


Once you find the right sites, you’ll likely need to apply and wait for entry.  This can take time but be patient and you’ll likely get in.

I won’t go into details about what you should do once you are allowed in as creativity is called for and it will be up to you just what you’ll be open to doing once there.  Just keep in mind that most offer keyword search of profiles, so be creative here.  You usually can message members directly, but again you’ll have to decide if you are OK with this.  Posting links to jobs on your profile page is also an option as is by posting in groups based around career growth.  I just want to emphasize that you can be kicked out so don’t be an annoying recruiter and solicit everyone you find with a general message.  Also, don’t go posting links in EVERY group.  If you do this mass posting you’ll appear as a spammer and might get kicked out.  Be respectful and plot a reasonable course. 

Let me say though that it’s not unusual for people to provide direct contact information and/or a link to a site or blog they’ve created.  You know what to do from there!

As I said, I recently found gold in these groups and if done right, you likely can to. 

Good luck!