Since engaging in Empire Avenue in late April, I’ve found great value from my investment of time – and there’s definitely been a lot of (my) time devoted to “EAv” as users call it.

The following may seem a bold statement, but to date I’ve not witnessed or experienced greater collaboration in any other social platform that I’ve engaged in over my last five and a half years of total submersion in social media professionally.

And the interesting component of EAv is while you engage on the platform itself to buy, sell and trade stocks, most engagement with your EAv circle of friends occurs on other social platforms like Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, Klout and now Google+.

Of course I know from a professional outlook…one’s return is reflective of “how” one uses, interacts, amplifies and commits to any (online) tool or platform.

In my opinion I think Empire Avenue has made meeting people from across the world extremely easy. And it has benefited and increased my social and technology mindshare as well.

I wonder if Empire Avenue CEO, Duleepa “Dups” Wijayawardhana envisioned Empire Avenue – named after a real street in his hometown – would explode like it has over the last several months and hit all corners of the planet.

From the Inside of Empire Avenue

“Empire Avenue is a rather broad platform, so the benefits will be different to each person, depending on how or why they’re using the site,” says Tom Ohle, Empire Avenue’s Vice President of Marketing and Media Relations.

Ohle thinks Empire Avenue, by its very nature, encourages users to expand their networks and meet new people. He believes the act of “investing” in someone on Empire Avenue carries more weight than a “follow” and is less intrusive than being a “friend” on Facebook.

“It’s also a great icebreaker,” Ohle chimes in. “And because you’ll earn virtual currency based on your investments’ online activities, you’re creating value-based relationships that tend to be deeper than many of those formed online.”

Ohle also says EAv provides fun with a purpose. “At its core, Empire Avenue is a game – we think that most of what we do in life is a game, so why not turn all online activity into one?”

He finishes saying “Whether you’re trying to meet new people, introduce yourself to relevant people en route to generating business leads, measuring your social activity or just looking to blow a few hours, Empire Avenue allows you to have fun while doing things you’re already doing online – being active on sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and more.”

Adriel Hampton, Chief Organizer at Nation Builder an online platform generation tool, says “for the average Empire Avenue member, there are two main benefits. The opportunity to interact and learn from many of the world’s foremost social media strategists in a highly engaging setting as well as the ability to learn from Empire’s robust social media metrics how their own activities on the social web contribute to creating network value.”

Adriel went on to say “many members of the site (EAv) find it beneficial for making new business connections and friends, and its rich search functionality helps identify and facilitate interactions with influential social media users across networks – such as YouTube stars, Twitter fanatics and prominent bloggers.”

Riding the EAv wave of what he believes will be amongst the top popular social media platforms in the future, San Francisco Realtor Rob Nielsen and co-creator of Empire Avenue Guide says because it’s a game, Empire Avenue can be approached with many different strategies.

“Some play to accrue more wealth than anyone else, others do it solely as a palette-cleaning pastime,” remarks Nielsen.

To him, as a Realtor, the real value is creating a vast network of contacts around the globe that he might ultimately leverage for business and referrals. (Nielsen currently has shareholders investing in him from over 25 countries). And because of the friend-building components of the platform he emails and talks to many of his EAv contacts on a regular basis.

“Because rule #1 in social media is “don’t sell,” my love of Empire Avenue inspired me to start an educational community with an architect on the other side of the country, Dillon Rhodes, who I had not spoken to until two months ago.”

Nielsen and Rhodes have yet to meet in person (or IRL) – but share a dynamic skill set in Empire Avenue. They both have the ability to find great investments, while also actively engaging in daily Empire Avenue Facebook Group events and networking frenetically.

“It was easy to see I was lucky to find an ideal partner for a new venture. I’m not sure where it will go; it’s too early to tell. But I know it will be a rewarding and fun ride!”

Screenshot of (e)LisaLoeffler Empire Avenue profil(e)

Lessons Learned & Benefits I’ve experienced:

Networking I’ve met people from across the U.S., as well as internationally. It’s not unusual now to jump on Skype and chat with an EAv contact around social media and technology topics.

Increased Learning Empire Avenue allows individuals to access smart media, news, articles and papers one may not have been exposed to because there’s so much information out there. In my personal experience this has taken an aside to the EAv platform itself. I’ve met most of my new contacts in Empire Avenue Facebook Groups and on Twitter.

Level Playing Field EAv garners a community of respect and access to collaborative and supportive individuals who hail from diverse professional fields.

Reciprocity Through the symbotic give-take nature of Empire Avenue, individuals invest in current and new social friends, buy back shares to reciprocate, shout out good stocks to fellow investors and share news about people of interest who have recently joined EAv and more.

New Tools Spending regular time in Empire Avenue helps improve one’s social and technology business skill set, streamline professional work efforts and get a jump on products in beta or recent releases.

New Business Through the course of time, just like in other social media platforms, one builds relationships – and some can be meaningful or power from a business aspect. EAv users can meet people to collaborate with on new ideas, develop products and sign new business or clients. You can also use EAv to drive users to your other interactive initiatives and your main website.

Product Testing Users can share their newly developed or emerging products within their other social communities to other EAv users who provide constructive, insightful, honest feedback to assist with improvements and enhancements before launch.

Social Influence EAv activity helps to increase social scores like on Klout and other social influence platforms. With Facebook’s new personalized pages, that base access to “opportunities” based on one’s Klout score; users can have access to specials, coupons, events, etc. based on their online credibility.

List of some of (e)LisaLoeffler Empire Avenue friends:

• http://www.empireavenue.com/TOM
• http://empireavenue.com/ADRIEL
• http://www.empireavenue.com/host
• http://www.empireavenue.com/SetSocial
• http://empireavenue.com/xmediaoutlet
• http://www.empireavenue.com/Genuine
• http://www.empireavenue.com/anisesmith
• http://www.empireavenue.com/hawaiirealty
• http://www.empireavenue.com/michelledh
• https://www.empireavenue.com/cperkcpa
• http://www.empireavenue.com/chrismcleod
• http://www.empireavenue.com/RYANJZ
• http://e-av.me/dillonrhodes
• http://empireavenue.com/KOC
• http://empireavenue.com/cyndeehaydon
• http://www.empireavenue.com/skgaleana
• http://www.empireavenue.com/tropigal
• http://www.empireavenue.com/billyakerman
• http://empireavenue.com/RQ
• http://empireavenue.com/DSMHomeLoans
• http://www.empireavenue.com/DOTS
• http://www.empireavenue.com/at0mic
• https://www.empireavenue.com/joannegreco
• http://www.empireavenue.com/stbo
• http://empireavenue.com/TLCavaliers
• http://empireavenue.com/AxelS
• http://www.empireavenue.com/svrt
• http://empireavenue.com/germain
• http://empireavenue.com/penguinspark
• http://e-av.me/FREED
• http://www.empireavenue.com/adobetrainer
• http://www.empireavenue.com/faceborg

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