In June of 2008, we took advantage of the the LinkedIn Groups platform and created a networking group called the New Homes Professional Network.  Ed Doss, one of our Internet Marketing Specialists, and I envisioned building a social network of industry professionals by combining some of the more effective platforms such as blogging and forums as a way to engage each other on any topic, from anywhere in the world.  I didn't expect the response to be so strong.  As of today (August 28, 2008), just three months later, there are 123 members in the Network. 

We are excited for the opportunity this group of professionals has to combine and share its collective wisdom and experience.  We have set up the Network Forum in hopes that members will solicit the experiences and expertise of others in order to sharpen their professional skills and be more effective for their companies.  We have set up the Network Blog in hopes that those with specialties will contribute to the Network by sharing with us.

We had engaged the LinkedIn platform for several months and became increasingly amazed at how popular LinkedIn is.  We immediately noted there were no new home building specific groups among all the LinkedIn groups.  That combined with seeing a need for a building industry specific press release media, gave rise to today's New Home Professional Network bundle of tools. 

Social media and networks are all about giving control to the users so we created a new home building industry press release web media whereby industry professionals can sign up and post press releases and PR stories about their companies and new home communities.  After creating the New Homes Professional Network, we delivered NHDBuzz.com to the group as a tool to assist them in their online marketing efforts.  NHD Buzz is a great way to promote yourself as a professional, promote your company's online reputation, and promote your new home communities.  The NHD Buzz posting interface has full HTML capabilities, so you can add links, colors, different fonts, and photos.

NHDBuzz.com is already creating buzz for companies and communities on the Internet.  Google searches are already returning NHD Buzz results for many different kinds of searches.

I hope you all take advantage of the forum and blog opportunities as this platform is for you.

The New Homes Professional Network is a network comprised of Senior Executives, Marketing & PR Professionals, and Sales Professionals in the Home Building Industry. This group promotes open discussion among its members to address the ever changing market conditions and the related news, events and technology that shape our industry.