Small businesses face a different set of challenges than the large corporations we hear about on the news every day. I’ve always felt fortunate to have a father who owns a small business because it taught me at a very early age how valuable networking and relationship building is. It is because of this exposure that I’ve always felt comfortable in business and networking environments.
However, for those of you who don’t thrive in situations where you have to strike up conversations with strangers, you’re in luck because times are changing! Social networking is so common now that if you aren’t participating on at least one site, you’re one of a few left and you’re missing out on great opportunities to learn valuable information. Fortune 500 companies, CEOs, local businesses and yes, all of your friends, are finding ways to connect with each other online to strengthen relationships. So the question isn’t whether or not you should be networking online, but rather which site to choose.
Below is a list of social networking sites that I recommend for small business professionals looking to get involved, find information on similar individuals and companies, develop new business and strengthen their existing relationships.
Linkedin.com is “a place to find and leverage professional opportunities, now and throughout your career. There are already 30 million professionals in the LinkedIn Network and that number is growing fast. LinkedIn is an irreplaceable resource for building your professional relationships and achieving your goals. Locating connections is as easy as a simple lookup for employees listed under any businesses you worked for.”
Biznik “The business networking community where collaboration beats competition.” The tagline is “business networking that doesn’t suck.” Biznik targets entrepreneurs and business owners and has different communities for major cities in the U.S.
Cofoundr is a private community for entrepreneurs. It “helps members find co-founders, as well as to build teams and network with other entrepreneurs.”
Ecademy “a social network for business people founded in 1998 now with over 150,000 member profiles worldwide. It is unique as business people connect both online on the web site and offline at events and 1-2-1 meetings.”
Ideablob.com “where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow their business ideas – and have a chance to win $10,000 towards fulfilling them.”
Online Community Small Business Community Forum “This interactive and open portal is intended to serve as a resource to support and assist small businesses.”
OPEN Forum by American Express “Swap ideas, find expertise, and access resources, to help grow your business.”
Ryze “helps people make connections and grow their networks. You can network to grow your business, build your career and life, find a job and make sales. Or just keep in touch with friends. Members get a free networking-oriented home page and can send messages to other members. They can also join special Networks related to their industry, interests or location. More than 1,000 organizations host Networks on Ryze to help their members interact with each other and grow their organizations.”
Small Business Forum Opportunity World Magazine’s small business forum.
Small Business Ideas Forum “A friendly place to share small business ideas & knowledge, ask questions & find help and encourage others that are involved in the small business industry.” Topics include small business marketing, generating revenue and small business computing.
Upspring “aims to provide businesses with an opportunity to increase exposure and attract more customers.”
Xing “powers relationships for the world’s business professionals.
Try out one of these or do a Google search for social networking sites that fit your interests. The important thing is that you get online, get involved in the conversation, and build your network before you need it!
Henry on election night chatting with fellow dog bloggers. If he can do it, you can too!
