I have just signed up to a new social networking site aimed at communicators 
on the recommendation of the very highly esteemed Neville Hobson. It is being developed as a hot spot for journalists too. It is certainly unique and fills a niche.
MyRagan.com was launched a week or so ago by former political journalist Mark Ragan and he, like me, is passionate about social media.
I can see this site being really enjoyable, that I will discover many other minded people here, it will be great for bouncing ideas and sharing views. I’m just concerned how much extra time I will spend on it when I already could with an extra 10 hours in the day. I’m a total beginner at social networking, I’ve avoided it for that reason, but I will spend time exploring this site’s links, forums and members and hopefully build up new contacts.
Neville really raves about it, and twisted my arm to sign up by being so enthusiastic:
“On first looks, this is a service that I think has real potential to be a valuable focal point for communicators – that means people in PR, advertising, corporate communication, marketing, employee communication, etc – who want an easy way to build a personal presence online and be part of a relevant and global community.
“There are other offerings out there aimed at communicators – IABC’s and the CIPR’s discussion forums spring to mind – but nothing I’ve yet seen that offers this breadth and depth of community presented in a very simple-to-use way. And did I mention it’s free?”
Mark also had great plans to develop it globally for journalists, saying:
“The bigger news is that MyRagan.com is only a tiny part of a much bigger and NEW communication site we’re unveiling around the world on Sept. 1. It will be called Ragan.com, and it will include foreign correspondents, video news, both live and pre-taped, audio voice-posts on blogs, more blogs from experts around the globe, a 30,000-article database, a new consulting company and research institute, a new polling technology that drives dialogue between respondents, live video stand ups from London, Sydney, South Africa…..and much more. MyRagan will be linked to every story so that communicators can jump back forth between the journalist-driven piece and the chat in a MyRagan forum.”
If you want to sign up as my friend, then I shall be delighted, though it feels a bit desperate having to ask for friends this way, but the more the merrier. Geoff keeps telling me I must start twittering; the thing is, if I do, will I ever get any work done? How many social networking sites does one really need to sign up to?
It looks an interesting site Ellee.
Jim, It looks interesting, and will be helpful too, which is a great incentive.
Thank you for this, Ellee, I think I could find it quite useful. Cheers, Ian
Oh, god, whenever I sign up to these things I get carried away! But I might give it a go . I like the idea of “twittering”. Thanks, Ellee.
Ian, it would be perfect for you.
Welshcakes, maybe we will be twittering together some day, I know Geoff swears by it.
He looks like somone who once played the dishy doctor in a series you can`t quite remember .I`m not entirely sure what this is supposed to be Ellee aren`t they all social networking sites ?
Sounds an exciting new set-up. I like the word ‘twittering’.
Newmania, I wonder if Mens Sana is dishy too!
This social networking site is different because it is geared to those in the communications business, and later journalists. Just up my street.
Yes, NM, there are so many of them now – Facebook, MyBlogLog, Twittering and even the humble Blogpower. One doesn’t know which way to turn.
Many thanks for the mention Ellee. Yes its a real problem having so many to choose from. I guess one or two will become dominant as time passes. It’s interesting that Mark chose to develop his own site rather than creating a group on an existing site eg Facebook or Bebo.
I still love twitter though.
Hi Ellee, it looks a really interesting site and I’ve signed up but I can’t find you in the people search. Are you using your “real world” name?
Sheila
Sheila, Oh yes, I only use the one name. I can find my site easily enough, so do try again.
Hi Elle, sounds interesting
will keep an eye out, and perhaps sign up as one of your blogosphere ‘friends’ – you think.
It the meantime if you don’t already know it, here’s a serious cultural (The thid Culture) blog from the US – http://www.edge.org/
I wonder if Mens Sana is dishy too!
Well he`s very tall ( when he stands on his wallet )
The problem with this type of networking is that – whilst it gives you the quantity – it may not necessarily give you the quality.
There’s a reason for expensive and exclusive Mayfair clubs – they go to extremes to keep loons like me out.
Thanks for blog-rolling me, Ellee.
I am struck by how much the silhouette in the use profile resembles me.
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