The Top 15 Social Networking sites for small businesses

As I’ve discussed in other blogs, social media is a MUST as you start-up a new venture.  Finding online communities where you can network with likeminded individuals is very helpful in launching a start-up.  You can promote your product, meet others, brainstorm ideas and find advice.  Here’s a list of 15 online sites that might help you grow your business and brand.

1)      Twitter:  Twitter is number one on my list as I think it’s most prolific.  It is after all, an $8 billion dollar company.  If you’re not familiar with Twitter, you follow people and they follow you – it is a free information exchange.  You get 140 characters to “tweet’ your message.  You also have the option of a retweet whereby you tweet someone else’s message to your followers creating an online dialogue. (http://twitter.com/)

2)      Facebook: As I’ve mentioned before, I have my reservations about Facebook.  However, as of February 2012^[update], Facebook has more than 845 million active users so it too is a must.  You have the option to set up a “page” for your company where people can “like” it.  You can also have your tweets sent into your Facebook page and vice versa.  You can also advertise your business/product on the site for whatever sum you so choose.  (http://www.facebook.com/)

3)      LinkedIn:  LinkedIn is a professional network that allows you to be introduced to and collaborate with other professionals.  As of November 3^rd, 2011 (2011 -11-03)^[update], LinkedIn reported more than 135 million registered users in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.  As you connect with people via LinkedIn and build your network, you have the option to get in touch with their connections as well.  There are 3 tiers of “connections.”  Employers often post jobs on LinkedIn and search for candidates that way.  There are groups you can join to connect with likeminded individuals.  The site is free or you can pay for additional services not available to non-paying members.  One of those options is something called “In Mail” where you are able to privately email a connection.  (http://www.linkedin.com/)

4)      Pintrest: Pinterest is a pinboard-styled social photo sharing website.  The service allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections.  The site's mission statement is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting."  Users of Pinterest curate themed boards, populating them with media found online using the "Pin It" button, or uploaded from their computers.  Each such item of media is known as a "pin", and can be a picture, a video, a discussion, or a product.  While "pins" can come directly from the user, one of Pinterest's main features is the ability to see what others have pinned, and in turn, users can "re-pin" such media to their own boards.  (http://pinterest.com/)

5)      Ryze: Ryze is a free social networking website designed to link business professionals, particularly new entrepreneurs.  It is dubbed Ryze “because it's about people helping each other 'rise up' through quality networking.”  The site claims to have over 500,000 members in 200 countries.  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.  One of the benefits of Ryze: it’s free!  You can message other members, join networks, view member home pages, etc.  Of course, there is also a paid service similar to LinkedIn where you can do a few other things such as advanced searches.  (http://www.ryze.com/)

6)      XING: XING is a social software platform for enabling a small-world network for professionals with over 7 million members.  The platform offers personal profiles, groups, discussion forums, event coordination, and other common social community features.  Basic membership is free but many core functions, like searching for people with specific qualifications or messaging people to whom one is not already connected, can only be accessed by the premium members.  (http://www.xing.com/)

7)      Biznik: Biznik is a community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed.  Biznik claims to believe in people not professions and in community and events, technology, relationships, giving and being progressive.  (http://biznik.com/)

8)      StartupNation: StartupNation is a community focused on the exchange of ideas between entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners and provides real-world business advice to people who want to start a business and who want to grow their small businesses.  The site offers step-by-step advice, helpful articles, small business and entrepreneur forums, local, interest and professional groups, member-to-member networking, expert blogs, podcasts, contests and more.  (http://www.startupnation.com/)

9)      Entrepreneur Connect: Entrepreneur Connect is the social network where small-business owners can create a profile, explore the community, share ideas and make connections. “The site is not intended for mass self-promotion, but rather should be a positive destination where entrepreneurs can exchange real advice and make lasting connections.”  It was created to facilitate community growth.  You can create a business profile, connect to service providers, suppliers, advisors or colleagues, start or join public/private groups and professional associations, ask questions, post answers and write blogs to promote expertise.  You can also search for relevant products or services needed to grow your brand and find industry events in your area.  (http://econnect.entrepreneur.com/)

10)  Upsring: Upspring is a social media platform for businesses to attract, connect, engage, and monetize fans, prospects, and customers.  Small businesses use Upspring to achieve their marketing goals and increase exposure of their products.  The site allows you to connect with other small business owners and share information/questions.  Upspring offers a social media marketing application to drive visitors and prospects to your local business, website and other social media sites your company utilizes.  (http://www.upspring.com/)

11)  JASEzone: JASEzone is a professional community where you can find potential clients and business partners.  You can get introduced to other professionals through JASEzone “friends,” find potential clients, subject matter experts and business partners and be found for future business initiatives.  (http://www.jasezone.com/)

12)  NetworkingForProfessionals: NetworkingForProfessionals is a business network that combines online business networking and real-life events.  Networking for Professionals was started by a group of professionals who saw the limitations of traditional networking.  They wanted to provide a better alternative to building business contacts, quickly and efficiently by combining online networking with face-to-face meetings.  (http://networkingforprofessionals.com/)

13)  Ziggs: Ziggs is a professional connection portal with over 1 million profiles.  It is a source for creating and managing your online brand.  “People who use Ziggs enjoy comprehensive online personal branding that they control, top visibility in search engines, easy communications and a strong sense of community with people important to them as well as networking opportunities with millions of other professionals.”  This site allows you to proactively market yourself on the web – to be found by recruiters or find a job, for example.  It is also for those that want to develop and participate in private online communities with colleagues and friends.  (http://www.ziggs.com/)

14)  Efactor: Efactor is an online community and virtual marketplace designed for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  The site helps you build your business, find financing and network with like minded entrepreneurs. They offer a “Finance Request Network” that includes over 25,000 vetted investors where you can find an investor or become one yourself.  (http://www.efactor.com/)

15)  Blogger: I guess I saved the best for last, right?  This blog is itself powered by Blogger.  Blogger is owned by Google and is a blog-publishing service that allows private or multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries.  There are also other popular blogging sites such as WordPress and Tumblr but I’m not as familiar with them.  Blogging is a great way to get your message out to your target audience.  It allows you to promote your product while also giving your customer insight into the market you are targeting or things that are of interest to them in general.  Blogger offers many cool features such as slideshows, embedded videos and photos.  You can also link your blog to your Twitter and Facebook accounts.  (https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=blogger&passive=1209600&continue=http://www.blogger.com/home&followup=http://www.blogger.com/home&ltmpl=start#s01)

While this list does not include every social media/networking site out there, it’s a great beginning.  Again, social media is a must as you embark on a start-up and grow your lifestyle as an entrepreneur.  So check some of these sites out and see how they can help you succeed!

Until next time…