Here’s an alphabetical list of business-related forums, online communities and social networking websites:
Biznik “The business networking community where collaboration beats competition.” The tagline is “business networking that doesn’t suck.” Their approach is aimed more at entrepreneurs and business owners than employees looking for a job. Has different communities for major cities in the U.S. http://www.biznik.com/
Cofoundr is a private community for entrepreneurs. It “helps members find co-founders, as well as to build teams and network with other entrepreneurs.” http://www.cofoundr.com/
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.” http://www.ecademy.com/
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.” http://www.ideablob.com/
Linkedin.com is “a place to find and leverage professional opportunities, now and throughout your career. There are already 13 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.” http://www.linkedin.com/ Related posts of mine: Linkedin and Business Networking Websites: Intro, Video and Links. And Linkedin Epiphany: Getting Fast Answers to a Biz Question.
Naymz Its tagline is “empowering reputable professionals.” They say: “There is little that is as important as your good name. The importance of your name and online reputation is steadily increasing as more and more people flock to the Web. Naymz is an innovative Reputation Network that lets you establish and promote your good name online.” http://www.naymz.com/
Online Community Small Business Community Forum “This interactive and open portal is intended to serve as a resource to support and assist small businesses.” http://www.smallbusinessforums.org/
OPEN Forum by American Express “Swap ideas, find expertise, and access resources, to help grow your business.” http://community.openforum.com/category.jspa?categoryID=3
PartnerUp is “dedicated to helping entrepreneurs find joint venture partners, co-founders, executives, and board members.” You can either post your opportunity or search the listings placed by other entrepreneurs. There are networking capabilities through forums and an Ask a Question feature. http://www.partnerup.com/
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.” http://www.ryze.com/
Small Business Forum Opportunity World Magazine’s small business forum. http://www.small-business-forum.com/
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.” http://www.smallbusinessbrief.com/forum.
Small Business Online Community “allows small business to exchange ideas and information, and benefit from the experience of others.” See a description in my Small Networking Site for Small Biz. http://www.smallbusinessonlinecommunity.bankofamerica.com/
Startup Nation Community A community site for entrepreneurs that includes networking aspects. http://www.startupnation.com
TheFunded “an online community of entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review funding sources worldwide.” http://www.thefunded.com/
Upspring “aims to provide businesses with an opportunity to increase exposure and attract more customers.” http://www.upspring.com/
Wall Street Journal Community “a marketplace of ideas for Wall Street Journal readers. Exchange opinions, ideas and tips n subjects ranging from the economy to the business of life.” http://online.wsj.com/community
Xing “powers relationships for the world’s business professionals.” http://www.xing.com
Commenters also mentioned many local business networks which are too numerous to mention here. See Roundpeg‘s comment on http://www.smallerindiana.com/ as one example.
Here’s advice on how to use these sites:
Eight Secrets for Effective Online Networking TechSoup, written for nonprofits, but substantive.
Did I miss your favorite site or community? Why not let me know with a comment?
Related Link:
LinkedIn and Business Networking Websites: Intro, Video and Links
See other posts in my Online Marketing Series, which has 20 link-rich posts on 18 online marketing techniques.
Pingback: LinkedIn and Business Networking Websites: Intro, Video, and Links « Web 2.0 For Small Biz
In my opinion, there are some important facts about social networking.
They keep collecting information in every detail they can.Privacy is beeing harrassed and damaged, and in the near future people can face with really serious problems… (not just simple spams, more serious than that)
Check out this article what I mean is really clear :
http://www.buraak.com/2008/09/16/is-your-information-safe-with-social-networks/
Burak,
You make a very good point, and one I neglected in this summary. Thanks for bringing it up.
In addition to the international discussion groups, social media can be extremely beneficial if you incorporate local connections as well. For me http://www.SmallerIndiana.com has been perfect. With more than 3,000 members we connect on line, share ideas. There are active entrepreneur sub groups in the large population, but there is a vibrant off line piece as well, as groups plan meet ups and events to strengthen the relationships and build on the ideas developed on line.
Roundpeg,
You are very right, I have missed all the wonderful local business networks and international connections that are springing up everywhere. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Maybe add LookupPage – A new online tool that helps you create a personal web page, highly visible on search engines when someone searches your name, and trackable so you can learn who is visiting your page.
http://www.lookuppage.com/
I suggest to mention Xing http://www.xing.com/
Sabina,
Thanks for adding this international networking site to the list. Xing.com says “XING powers relationships for the world’s business professionals.”
Udrezner,
Thanks for letting us know about a site that lets you integrate and monitor your profiles.
You missed bizSugar.com and ClubEnetwork.com
John,
Thanks for the blog comment adding bizSugar.com and ClubEnetwork.com. This is new territory for me, and I’m trying to be comprehensive.
Thanks for compiling a great list Peg and for capturing the essence of Biznik so succinctly. One other important factor about Biznik is our emphasize on face-to-face connection through our live events. Think of that aspect as Meetup.com for the self-employed.
As for getting local, one is able to filter the site by region (relevant members, events, etc) with a click of a button. By Thanksgiving we’ll be launching a powerful groups feature that will enable regions and other groups to do even more -private forums, niche events, etc.
Anyone new Bizniks, feel free to look me up and ask me for a tour around the site.
Leif Hansen
Biznik Community Catalyst
http://tinyurl.com/59xeps
Hi. I don’t see XING…Europe’s largest…any reason why?
…(part 2) xing is great for example if you are targeting non-US companies as potential customers of your services, as it gives you direct access to decision makers at these companies using simple search (i.e. search “Director Marketing Target Company X”. Price point for premium membership is very reasonable: 6€ (8.50$) /month about the cost of lunch at Starbucks, for use of all services available.
Pingback: Estimating Expenses for Your Startup « Learned At SCORE Chicago
Pingback: Meta-Post on 18 Online Marketing Techniques: My Internet Marketing Series