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In today's Brain Storm! Business Podcast, we will review another online social networking phenomenon, which was supposedly started by a 15 year old girl 2 years ago, and which now brings in over 1 million visitors a month and millions of dollars.

In an article on Cnet.com, they interviewed Catherine Cook, the 17 year old "owner" of My Yearbook. Of course, it helps to have an older brother who could put $250,000 into the business idea to make it happen, but that's just sour grapes on our part, right? I read a comment on the article that made me laugh, something about "My older brother never gave me $250k, and my friends never gave me great ideas for an online site - what losers!". Hehehehehehe

Sticking with a specific, yet-to-be-catered-to niche is what makes My Yearbook successful.

The 13 - 23 year old demographic is the target market here. Facebook focused first on college students, and now on businesses. My Space isn't meaning to cater to teens. My Yearbook focuses on this marketing niche, and seems to do it very well.

Profiles are not emphasized, rather interaction and self-expression through duels, quizzes, and user-generated content magazines are the focus.

Interaction is the key in this demographic. Catherine commented on the demise of printed magazines for teens, stating that todays teens don't care what Angelina Jolie is doing. She says the key to bringing the teens back is relevant content that is spawned by the participating teens.

We will also dip into an article by a 17 year old Cnet intern who spurned friendship with a married 40 year old man.

She was completely grossed out when a 40 year old married man wanted to be friends with her. Some of the comments on the article were amazing to me, with older people defending their right to be on Facebook and make friends with 17 year olds. Did they not read his personal "slogan" about being sooooo wasted? I think she was right on cue to think this guy was slimy and icky.

So let me know what you think about this addition to the social networking sphere. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & Online Community Magazines