Social Media Series - Biznik

Biznik. The little (growing) social network that could.

I love Biznik. Love Love LOVE Biznik. It's easy to navigate. It's easy to communicate with other members. And they're welcoming. And helpful. And intelligent. You can learn alot from the good folks on this one.

Biznik is great for small businesses, especially one-man operations. There are quite a few business coaches and authors, but there are also many many other professionals showcasing their businesses/professions.

Other reasons why I like Biznik:

• Search: You can easily build your profile and search for others in the same category, OR search for members you'd like to become familiar with or do business with. The search option is very intuitive.
• Articles: You can write articles and post them almost immediately. I say almost because they must be approved first, but they are very quick to approve and post. Very quick. Members are quick to comment on your articles as well, which is great to build relationships, brands, and communication. And you might learn a thing or two as well!
• Networking: You can contact people in so many ways, it's fantastic. Simply send them a message that you'd like to add them to your network, send a referral, or attend a live and in person event in your local area (live and in person? Imagine!), etc, the list goes on. I find Biznik members totally open to meeting and communicating with each other.
• Promotions: there is a place on your profile where you can list any promotions you are having. They are also listed on Biznik's main page - if you are a paid member they show up first, if you have the free membership, they are further down on the page. But they're still there.

The founders of Biznik are social media junkies who really want to see you succeed. They're here to help you out any way they can (and they even talk to you!), and to see your business grow and to help you build your network. It's an intuitive system, very user friendly and the help forums ROCK. Any time I've had a question and posted it to a forum, it's been answered in a matter of an hour or so. You don't get that anywhere else that I'm aware of.

These are only a few of the reasons I love Biznik. The possibilities are endless on how to network on this site, I've only myself scratched the surface, but it is definitely one I'd recommend - and do on an almost daily basis.

Join Biznik, and join my network!

Hope to see you there!

Social Media Series - The Start

Hold on to your Social Marketing horses!

We're about to start a six-part series on social media and how to get involved. How to use it to build your client base. How to use it to network with like-minded individuals, or the not-so-like-minded individuals.

This series will be for you if:

• You want to start a Facebook business page but are overwhelmed (or just too busy)
• You're hearing the growing buzz about Twitter but don't really get how it can be used professionally
• You'd prefer to network with professionals in the same industry as you but don't quite now how to find where they gather online
• You want to add Social Media Marketing/Management to your own list of services
• You want to add to your client base
• You simply want a quick and easy tutorial into the world of social media.

Over the next three weeks, we will be covering social sites such as Biznik, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ryze, Twitter and the concept of forums and list serves. So add us to your feed/reader below and get ready to get your feet wet in the world of social networking!

Five quick tips to turning Some-Day into To-Day.

Have a “Wow, that would be great someday” idea? Here are five quick pointers to turning that ever so elusive Some-day, into To-day.

1. Jot it down. Start writing. The moment you have that initial brainwave, that wonderful idea, even if it's just an inkling of what's to come, write it down! It doesn't matter if it's on your computer, a notepad, scrap of paper, or a napkin from a restaurant; just get that idea on paper somewhere, somehow, right now.

2. Research. You don't have to spend hours and hours in front of the computer, not right away, especially if you only have 15 or 20 minutes spare time at the moment, but do start researching. Even just preliminary footwork can get the excitement factor rising, and can ignite that passion you originally felt when the idea hit. And that passion is what you'll need to make this idea fly!

3. Put your plan on paper. I know, I know, this seems scary and larger than life. But it doesn't have to be. Who says your business plan has to be like everyone else's? It is what it is, to you. A bit of a critical path perhaps, a bit of a marketing plan, if you're a numbers person throw some quick projections in. Once you start writing, the ideas, information, and passion will flow. Starting to write it down is the important point.

4. Get buy in from friends and family. This is so important, especially if it's a business idea. Not only for the financial backing aspect, but from a supportive and loving aspect too. Simply put, it's easier (and much nicer) to have the support of friends and family as you build your dream, than to not have that love and support. But if you don't have it? Do it anyway!

5. Just do it. No matter what. Just do it. Start implementing. Look at your business plan/marketing plan/critical path, and dig in! Get the flow going, get that energy focused and get it rollin'!

This post has been extended to a feature-length article. To read the full text, feel free to connect with me on Biznik: http://tinyurl.com/579xqz.