Mr. Silver defines not only how to make these communities profitable but he lays out examples of industries and sectors that are ripe for attention. One of the strengths of the book is that it demonstrates the need for a viable business case and that there are multiple income streams available. It is not sufficient to simply accumulate a large audience based on a “free to use” basis and to count on click through ad revenue, as many current social network models have done. It works in the short term but is questionable at best in the long term.

The book does a good job of a.) defining what is in effect a new business model, b.) explaining how to construct this new business, c.) identify and define the revenue streams and give examples of business cases and d.) gives examples of specific vertical markets for entrepreneurs to explore.

Coming from the not-for-profit sector, I think the book has identified and defined what the future of communities, traditionally occupied by trade and professional associations, may look like if the plans are diligently executed. Its an exciting new model for creative entrepreneurs to create “social businesses’ that deliver the best from the association and the for-profit worlds.