Business networking Web sites, or more generally, “social networking” sites with a business bent are exploding across the Internet. If you’ve resisted the temptation to join or participate in any of these online communities thinking them frivolous, it may be time to reconsider.
Here are some standout sites with a social networking or community component geared to small business owners, professionals or startup entrepreneurs.
• LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) – If you can join just one business networking site, this is it. LinkedIn is an online network of some 19 million business people worldwide, representing 150 different industries. When you join, you create a professional profile that helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients and partners. Add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join in your network. Your profile helps you find potential clients, service providers or subject experts, and be found for business opportunities.
• Xing (www.xing.com) is a Germany-based business networking site with over 5 million members and a greater global focus. It is a major LinkedIn rival in Europe. Xing offers advanced contact management tools that other sites don’t have, and helps members discover professional and business opportunities across international borders.
• FastCompany.com – progeny of Fast Company magazine – is attempting to create a unique blend of business journalism and online social networking. Create a personal profile and participate in a variety of community participation opportunities on the site.
• FastPitchNetwork.com is a little more geared toward pitching products and services in a social network setting. Members create a profile (one-page Web site) that outlines their business, including what they buy and sell. Once a profile is connected to the Fast Pitch Network, members can begin building a referral network and promote their business. Extra features include a press distribution Web site that carries press releases issued by Fast Pitch members, a directory of member blogs, plus forums and event calendars.
• IdeaBlob (www.ideablob.com) is a community site where entrepreneurs and startup business owners can share and grow their business ideas. Each month the best business idea – as voted on by the online community – wins $10,000 to go toward making the idea a reality. This site is sponsored by Advanta, a major small business credit card issuer.
• JumpUp (www.jumpup.com) is a small business community site created by Intuit, which publishes QuickBooks and other financial software packages. You can create a profile of your business and perhaps be featured on the site. •
Daniel Kehrer can be reached at
editor@business.com.
