Facebook, MySpace, Twitter (and more!)… have all have been wildly successful, gathering tens of millions of people from across the globe into conversations and relationships. The same would go for the humble “blog” medium as well.

And as all eyes are on the few and the proud (especially the ones that are turning a profit), many individuals and businesses are trying to figure out how to capitalize and copy on the “big guys’” success.

In the next 7 days I’m going to share 7 of the most basic elements that have been proven to be wildly successful in regards to making, developing, cultivating, and growing a “Successful” Social Network.

The research behind these 7 comes from my extensive and deep background working on social networking platforms and their strategies from my time working at, and with, more than a few Fortune 50 businesses.

Let’s start with Element Number 1:

Element #1 – Ownership and User Customization

These two might have been broken a part and seen as individual elements but there is a relationship between the two that is extremely important.

The most successful social networks have always have the ability to for the user to customize their user experience. Either the ability to simply change the background (like Twitter) or the freedom to develop entire individualized graphical user interfaces for themselves, the most successful social networks have had this element.

It’s been found, as a result, that the ability to customize directly relates to the staying power of the individual, and the chance of return visits. As a result, the feeling of ownership occurs. This is a powerful feeling and emotion. It’s what makes some users dedicated to the system and platform for life.

You all probably know a few of the “lifers,” individuals (or friends) who can’t seem to “let go” of that old and dying social network. They’ve invested 1,000′s of hours into the system, creating their own world, customizing their experience to flawless perfection.

One final related outcome is that ownership produces evangelists. These evangelists are often times more powerful of a force than marketing blitzes, PR campaigns, or strategic partnerships with other businesses. These individuals so passionate about the medium that they spend there time, without pay, sharing and “converting” others to it.

That’s success.

So as you begin to develop strategies for your blog or organization, make sure you consider this particular element.

Tomorrow, we jump into the Second Element of a Successful Social Network.