BizjamSeattle08 and Why I Love Biznik for Small Business Social Networking
Like many small business owners, I’ve been experimenting with online social networking as part of my marketing plan. I’ve long been a proponent of offline networking, and in fact launched my last business almost entirely through in-person networking events.
Though I still love live networking and belong to a couple organizations, I’m becoming a fan of online networking too. Having joined a number of sites in the last year or so including: LinkedIn, FastPitch, Facebook, Plaxo Pulse and Biznik, I’ve learned a thing or two about online networking.
The first is that, just like live networking, you need to participate regularly to become known and trusted. Offline that means showing up regularly and being a helpful resource to others. Online it means basically the same thing, only in the form of posting articles or answering people’s questions…And updating your own page regularly.
The second, and most important, thing I’ve learned is that you still have to make a personal connection or you won’t really benefit. Why? Because just having a bazillion “friends” online won’t do diddly-squat to grow your business.
If those “friends” are people you don’t really know, but they seem like interesting business people to align yourself with (or possibly even joint venture with), you need to get to know them better. So pick up the phone and give them a call. Or better yet, if they’re in your neck of the woods, meet for coffee.
I’ve done this a number of times and gotten way more out of it than just connecting online ever provides. This is why I’ve come to love Biznik so much.
Rather than simply offering a place to connect online, Biznik uses its Website as a portal for connecting local small business owners in person. And they offer plenty of opportunities to be of service to the community and get known as an expert in your field online too. Best of all, it really works!
I attended Biznik’s two-day Bizjam in Seattle last week, and it was amazing how many people I recognized—and that recognized me—from the Biznik site. I finally got to meet a couple of folks I had been corresponding with via the Biznik Website, plus some new folks whose names and faces I had seen online.
I also met a couple of new and interesting people I’m planning to talk with further about some joint venture and teleseminar possibilities. And I was only there for one of the two days!
On top of all that, Bizjam itself was an info-packed event filled with speakers and topics sure to interest most small business owners (or “indies” as Biznik calls us).
My personal favorite was a talk by Eliza Sherman (www.mediaegg.com) on ways to better manage all your social networking efforts. She was fun to listen to and she packed in tons of practical advice.
Here’s just a short list of her recommendations that I’m planning to implement this week…
Friendfeed.com for aggregating all your social network info
Utterz.com for doing quick Audio Podcasts
Hellotxt.com for aggregating your micro blog status (that’s the little box where you can say what you are doing right now. Also works for Twitter.)
Sharethis.com for offering an email sharing system on your blog instead of just an RSS feed
If you’re not on Biznik yet, I highly recommend it. Chances are there’s already a Biznik group meeting offline in your area, as the concept has been quickly spreading nationwide. You can join for free at www.biznik.com.
However, I can say that I’ve been getting way more traffic and visibility since I upgraded to a paid membership. Check it out. Participate. And connect with me once you’re there.
I’d love to know what you think of Biznik, and whether or not it’s helping you grow your business. Please post a comment below…
Technorati Tags: Small Business, Social Networking, Biznik, BizjamSeattle08, online marketing
Hi Stacy,
Even though we’ve both been in biznik quite a while, I hadn’t met you in person until BizJam. Glad that happened.
My take on biznik is that it’s a very convenient way to build a network of support, with people who have many of the same goals you do. We joined to promote our new business and the online connections, strengthened through in-person events, have helped us get the word out about our new venture. And making new friends is always fun.
I was amazed at the energy (and synergy) at work at BizJam ‘08. I made several significant connections at the conference, some planned and others spontaneous. Those were the sweet ones, the ones that just came out of the blue.
Thanks for the report on Eliza’s session. I didn’t get to attend that one.
I would encourage anyone who is interested in ramping up their business networking to check out biznik.com.
Thanks for the terrific comment Judy. Glad to know you got a ton out of the BizJam event as well. And it was a pleasure to finally meet you in person too!
I’m looking forward to more people’s opinion on the event and biznik in general.
Best,
Stacy
This is so true! “just like live networking, you need to participate regularly to become known and trusted.”
Now a days people are meeting online but to really build the trust you must also meet offline. The E.Factor http://www.efactor.com is a business network for Entrepreneurs and Small Business owners and one that marries the online networking with offline events all over the world.
Hi, this is about the better business bureau is a great place to check out companies before becoming involved. Legitimate business opportunities will not have numerous complaints or lawsuits against them.
[...] Stacy Karacostas: BizJam Seattle 08 and why I love Biznik for small-business social networking. [...]
Thanks for sharing this online networking resource Stephanie, and for your comment. I’ll check it out the site.
Best,
Stacy