Last Winter, I began discussing the idea of creating a new community for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Minnesota chapter. The need was clear. Nearly 45,000 participants and volunteers descend on Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota each Mother's Day to show their passion for the promotion of breast health and for finding a breast cancer cure. There is an intense energy in the air that builds during the weeks leading up to the event.

That top-of-mind awareness wanes quickly following the event. The idea of creating a vibrant online community might serve to extend that energy throughout the year.

After debating about the platform on which to build this social network, I opted to use Ning. It seemed to offer the right combination of ease and flexibility.

Like chess, poker and cooking omelets, Ning is very easy to learn but takes time to master. Setting up a basic social network can be done through the intuitive prompts offered by the site.

Making your new social network look the exact way that you visualize it is much more challenging.

In searching for Ning coaching, all signs pointed to Manny Hernandez. Manny is a former employee of Ning and creator of two successful Ning sites: http://www.TuDiabetes.com and http://www.EsTuDiabetes.com. Manny helped me through some challenges I had while trying to assemble a version of http://www.TogetherForTheCure.org that felt right. His help was invaluable. It was obvious he knew the location and purpose for every button, lever, motor and gear within Ning.

He let me know that he was in the throws of writing Ning for Dummies. At the time, Manny mentioned that he might need some people to write reviews of the book. I told him I'd be happy to do so since I knew I'd own a copy as soon as it was available.

During my anxious wait for the book to be published, I put my name in with my local bookstore to have a copy held for me. I bought my copy the day they called to say it arrived.

Ning for Dummies has been a great resource for me as I attempt to act as site administrator, community manager, and site designer/developer (all while trying to have a life and a full time job). The book has helped accelerate my learning curve.

Ning for Dummies is organized in such a way so that it can be read in parts, from the beginning or from any spot relevant to the reader. My site was already set-up (sort of) when I got the book. I was able to skip to sections and chapters that answered my questions and solved issues for which I needed a solution.

While I had done some site administration and community management prior to starting Together for the Cure, I had never really designed a website or built one. As long as you can operate your computer and understand the basics of email, this book can help anyone build a new social network on Ning.

My site still has a long way to go. As users begin to join the site, I am constantly pressing them for feedback and suggestions. Ning for Dummies will be my ongoing manual for getting user suggestions to become reality.

Have you considered starting a new social network? Perhaps you are already using Ning. I am interested in hearing about your experience. Wiley Publishing was kind enough to send me a copy of Ning for Dummies in exchange for sharing my two cents about the book. Please include an email address with your comments/stories/feedback if you're interested... I'll choose one and send you the book. (If you prefer to hide your email address, you can send it to me privately here.)