Web analytics, web metrics, and how to use them to track and improve conversions

We had a Board Meeting of the Web Analytics Association (I'm the Director of the Social Media and Community Committee) and I quickly rolled my own "Invite Only" Social Network for Committee members using Ning.  While it still needs some work it was amazing how quickly I could build a basic, functional Social Network with plug and play tools in about 20 minutes.

I think there's' a lot more that needs to built on top of what I started - and honestly, for the last year or so, I've looked at Ning, KickApps and Clearify.net ..wondering what I should or could do with them.  Every time I tried to use one of them - I found I no real reason to build a Social Network.

But now, it's different, and I'm finding that having a Social Network to do Social Media Committee brainstorming, discussion and work - is much more interesting and fun then just emailing or calling people directly.

Just as I put up my first video in my social network, which again, is only for my committee members, I get another "user generated video" form none other than Jim Sterne, Mr. Emetrics Summit / Web Analytics (below):

With Social Media - you learn as you go and by doing - I don't think reading about it helps that much.   The other thing is the sense of community that gets created by allowing everyone to contribute.