Move over MySpace, there’s a new networking site brewing in cyber world. And it’s got the body to match.
The new trend in social networking? Professional networking sites. Forget the creeps and pedophiles, these serious sites boast proficiency and expertise. With amped up search options and recommendation opportunity, these sites have clear insight into their audience’s desires.
Chris Oremus, personal trainer in Las Vegas and founder of his own professional networking site, says these sites allow users to “make educated decisions.” Unlike sites like MySpace or Facebook, users share common interest within a specific field and network with each other. Although his site does not have an official name yet, it’s geared towards health professionals.
His site, still in developmental stages, promotes personal trainers, physicians, nurses and nutritionists. These professionals pay a monthly membership fee and in turn are given a “homepage” to promote their business. Background, contact, and general information will be displayed along with their education, training and medical credentials.
Oremus noticed several “shortcomings of the [health] system” and wanted to build upon what advertisements left out. With several years of experience in the fitness industry with Gold’s Gym and 24 Hour Fitness, Oremus noticed common qualities among newcomers to the fitness world. Most people come to the gym, “they don’t know how to exercise, they don’t know how to find a personal trainer.” They’re “shy and timid”, they’re not going to “approach someone” because frankly they “don’t know anyone.” With a networking site, it’s a resource to differentiate between professionals. Whether it be personal trainers or nutritionists, clients will be able to compare and read recommendations from others.
People looking for medical help or fitness expertise don’t get a “friendly personable impression” simply from an advertisement, “they don’t have a friend to talk to,” says Oremus. On a networking site, it’s more like a “personal recommendation.. a warm fuzzy feeling.”
He plans on implementing a “personality profile” option where users select their fitness goals and health needs. This way, they can be matched with doctors and nutritionists sharing the same criteria. He also plans on having advanced search options, selecting by ratings, cost, credentials, and experience.
Sign up is free to anyone, only medical professionals pay a membership fee. Unlike other networking sites where users have “friends” professionals will have “clients.” Users can add professionals they’ve worked with onto their page, writing recommendations and giving them “star ratings.” Oremus also plans to include a fitness calendar to include weekly events like softball and bike riding, something “creative, interesting and fun” where everyone comes together.
Like many networking sites, major concerns include privacy and authenticity. Oremus’ site includes different levels of privacy where users choose what they want displayed. He says a big part of his site will be celebrity endorsement, through personal trainers and plastic surgeons. “Models are going to be one of my largest target markets,” says Oremus. Users can see before and after pictures and view which physicians the member has used. They can also see fitness and meal plans that celebrity might be using.
“I wanted to market Lipodissolve,” says Oremus who noticed clients that exercised frequently, still couldn’t remove stubborn fat. Because Lipodissolve is an injectable, it allows for “spot treatment” which “causes inflammation of the fat cells” which the body then naturally filters out. With his fitness background and training (he has an Associates Degree in Kinesiology) he wanted medical support to administer procedures like Lipodissolve but still connect through exercise and nutrition. With his new networking site, patients can keep track of their medical treatments and exercise regimen.
Oremus admits he’s always been sort of an inventor wanting to make a significant impact within the fitness industry. “I’ve always been the type of person to take things apart and figure out how to make them better,” says Oremus. His motivation? “I wanna be in the history books… the first one who did it.”
Where’s the link to have a look?