How to Network the Biznik Way

The Biznik way of networking is a powerful combination of online social networking technology paired with face-to-face events. Learn from co-founders Lara Feltin and Dan McComb how to grow your business faster and become more profitable by using the tools at your disposal.

We'll walk you through the five main areas of the site, elaborate on the features as we designed them, and how to use them:

• Your Profile: self promotion & visibility on the site
• Events: hosting & attending
• Membership: using the directory & your Biznik network
• Biz Talk: online socializing & discussions
• Articles & Tips: writing, rating & commenting

This workshop will be focused on questions YOU bring to the table - so come prepared to ask a lot of them.

What members say about the event

Just when you think you have Biznik figured out, they add a few more nuggets. I recommend this to anyone who wants to get the most our of their membership. --Bob Dunn

I was already excited about Biznik and had been spreading the word, but now I'm even more amped up about it. This is an incredible resource you've created and I have no idea why a small business owner would be part of any other networking service (online or in person). You have them all beat, hands down. Thank you!" --Debbie Lacy

I attended the tutorial about how to plug into all the benefits of Biznik last nite. I highly recommend everyone go to this event in the future. The site is amazing and continues to get better with all the plans you have in the works. It was a good use of my time and I am going to send my mktg partner to the next one. --Bill Hoffer

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  Posted by Chris Maxfield, Kirkland, Washington | Aug 20, 2008

  New to Biznik and will welcome any tips to make this venue 'work'!
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  Posted by Marla Brandt, Edmonds, Washington | Sep 02, 2008

  Could you put me on a waiting list for this event.

  Thank you!

  Marla
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  Posted by Suzanne Griscom, Shoreline, Washington | Sep 02, 2008

  Please put me on the waiting list for the next one in Seattle.

  Thanks!

  Suzanne
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  Posted by April Schoen, Seattle, Washington | Sep 03, 2008

  Please put me on the waiting list for this event if possible. Thanks!
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  Posted by Lara Eve Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Sep 07, 2008

  Technically, we do not have a waiting list. In the past, 4-6 people have cancelled their RSVPs on the day of or the day before the event. So please check back.

  Biznik Business Networking, Co-founder
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  Posted by Lara Eve Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Sep 07, 2008

  I've just added next month's event to the calendar. If you can't make this one - register for the next Seattle one on Tuesday, October 21 at Office Nomads coworking space on Capitol Hill.

  Here's a link.

  Biznik Business Networking, Co-founder
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  Posted by Todd Martini, Gig Harbor, Washington | Sep 11, 2008

  There is also a How to Network the Biznik Way event taking place in Tacoma on September 15th:

  http://biznik.com/events/how-to-network-the-biznik-way-4

  ...which still has 15 spots left. Contrary to popular opinion in Seattle, Tacoma is not on the other side of the world. It's only 30 minutes away... ;-)
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  Posted by Lara Eve Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Sep 11, 2008

  Great point, Todd! ;)

  Biznik Business Networking, Co-founder
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  Posted by TONY NIE, Everett, Washington | Sep 17, 2008

  please sign me in if there is a spot

  thanks
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  Posted by Lara Eve Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  I'm afraid I can't RSVP for you, Tony. But I'll try to let you know if I notice a cancellation so you can jump in here and take the spot.

  Biznik Business Networking, Co-founder
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  Posted by James "Shoes" Walker, Seattle, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Yup, I'm seconding Tony's sentiment. It'd be nice if there was a way to automatically informed of an opening.

  Of course, easier dreamt up than implemented.......
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  Posted by Richard Baum, Seattle, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Lara and Dan,

  Thank you. Great event. I learned a lot and have already implemented some of it - keywords, etc. I look forward to increased activity and involvement with the Biznik community.

  This really is business networking that doesn't suck!

  Your business is your career is your business.
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  Posted by John Bettinger, Kirkland, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Lara and Dan,

  Wow. A well done event. You have really put together a fantastic and worthwhile networking service. The search engine optimization (SEO) power of Biznik is absolutely stunning. Not all small business owners know the power of SEO but they certainly should.

  Keep up the innovation!

  -John
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  Posted by Debra Synovec, Seattle, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Lara and Dan,

  This is a fantastic event! I am a pretty new member of Biznik, which is my first experience with a social networking organization. This event shined a light on the mystery for me. I not only felt welcomed but more importantly realized how I am part of a community...as a sole pratitioner things sometimes feel very isolating. This event helped me understand how Biznik is not only an amazing tool for business growth but more importantly provides me with a community! Great for the soul! Thank you! Debra

  Seattle Divorce Mediator, Seattle Mediator
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  Posted by Karen Richards, Redmond, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Wonderful event! This really helped me understand how and why to use Biznik, and gave me tips I don't think I would ever have figured out on my own. I especially enjoyed Dan's presentation on Social Media. Now I understand the cultural forces and context in which I am doing business and marketing. It was an incredibly valuable top-down overview that really helped me. I advocate adding it to every Introduction or perhaps posting a version of it online (article perhaps?). Thank you so much for the event and for Biznik! Karen
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  Posted by Suzanne Griscom, Shoreline, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Thanks for a terrificly informative event! All new members need this and members who've been around for a while will always learn something new.

  It was great to hear about all the innovations coming to biznik and to see the direct effect comments have on how the site works. Also, the SEO and marketing information was remarkable. I'm sold.

  17K members and counting! Go biznik!

  Hey, Everyone, Biznik was #1 on a Google search last night for the words "business networking!"

  Wahoo! #1!
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  Posted by Suzanne Griscom, Shoreline, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Yes! I agree with Karen! Make this presentation a must-read article for all new members, please.
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  Posted by Kathy Miller, Seattle, Washington | Sep 24, 2008

  Lara and Dan, Thanks so much for the incredible information and motivation that this workshop provided. After joining Biznik a few months ago, I've been a relatively (okay, very) inactive member but after last nights workshop I am truly excited to become active and get to know the members in this community. The information on SEO's and Social Media was terrific and an "extra" that I didn't expect to receive. Additionally, questions about hosting events and articles were answered in full. The two of you are incredibly authentic and genuine, traits that I highly value in my business associates, clients, and networking community. Regards!! Kathy
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  Posted by Lara Eve Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Sep 25, 2008

  Thank you, everyone, for the nice compliments. Biznik has grown into an amazing community because of the contributions each of you make. Thank you for making it so.

  Biznik Business Networking, Co-founder
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  Posted by Marla Brandt, Edmonds, Washington | Sep 25, 2008

  Lara and Dan, Thank you for your time, energy and gifts in presenting a plethora of valuable information in how to plug into this Network. Marketing has been my least favorite job (to say the least), and I have avoided it for years. As I am changing what I am offering to clients, and I want to be successful, l I am in the process of reframing my attitude. You both stressed building relationships which is something I am very much interested in. This piece gave me a whole new outlook on marketing. (And I liked your words "authentic, transparent, and honesty.) I have met some amazing people through Biznik, and it is my first week of attending 2 events. Thanks again! Marla
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  Posted by Phil Greely, Seattle, Washington | Sep 25, 2008

  Very helpful event! I recommend any relatively new biznikers to attend in the future. Thanks for taking our ideas/gripes about biznik seriously and being open to adding features that will continue to make it better! Thanks again.

  Your Seattle Real Estate Resource
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  Posted by John Bettinger, Kirkland, Washington | Sep 26, 2008

  Lara and Dan,

  Wow. A well done event. You have really put together a fantastic and worthwhile networking service. The search engine optimization (SEO) power of Biznik is absolutely stunning. Not all small business owners know the power of SEO but they certainly should.

  Keep up the innovation!

  -John
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  Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Sep 26, 2008

  Thank you for the feedback, everyone. This is hugely helpful to me, because last night was the first time I gave the social media presentation at this event. Based on this feedback, it won't be the last. Speaking of which: here's the social media marketing presentation part of the talk. It's a PDF, 6.4 MB in size. Enjoy.

  Biznik Business Networking
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  Posted by Karen Richards, Redmond, Washington | Sep 26, 2008

  Sweet! Thanks for passing on the Social Media PDF! Now I can share it with others! Viva la revolucion!
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  Posted by Jeremy Dodd, Seattle, Washington | Sep 28, 2008

  hey guys!

  thanks so much for hosting this event.

  in terms of feedback, i'd like to offer up a few things:

  1) I really enjoyed your willingness to hear our recommendations and gripes regarding the site as it is.

  2) i appreciated your responses to our comments, and the hints you gave as to where the website is heading, and what issues have and will be soon addressed.

  3) it seems like we spent 3/4 of the time going over remedial aspects of the site - stuff that can be learned simply by spending a little time on it.

  4) we only spend 15 mins going over SEO and how to use biznik to improve results on organic searches, which is, in my opinion, one of (if not THE) biggest advantages of using biznik in the first place.

  5) lastly, based on the above, perhaps you want to consider splitting the event into beg/intermediate and advanced settings. or, maybe just tell more savvy web users to come an hour or so into the event.

  overall, fantastic event. i was really excited to get a demo from the founders. (something that won't be possible after you've made millions, i'm sure!)

  thanks, Jeremy

  Want to know how video can help YOUR business? Call us!
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  Posted by Lara Eve Feltin, Seattle, Washington | Oct 01, 2008

  Great suggestions, Jeremy. Thanks! It would be good to break this event into a beginning/new members and intermediate/older members.

  We're going to start video taping portions of this event soon - so we can make the tips available online to more people. It would also be good for us to create a monthly online interactive event (think 'webinar') for this content as well. If we do that, we can easily teach two separate events (beginner & intermediate) each month.

  It's also be great to have a completely separate event just on Optimizing Your Biznik Profile for Higher Search Results on Google - and spend a good 1.5 hours on that. Dan and I'll discuss.

  Keep the great feedback coming...

  Biznik Business Networking, Co-founder
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  Posted by Barbara Breckenfeld, Mountlake Terrace, Washington | Nov 14, 2008

  Lara & Dan -

  I enthusiastically second the comments above. I got lots out of the event -- so much so that I am still implementing them!

  I agree that you could split our evening up into beginner, intermediate, and have a 3rd offering just about SEO optimization on BizNik.

  I appreciated how comfortable it was to be there, and especially with my new dog! That truly does not suck!

  One thing, I am not shown as having attended this event. Perhaps bc I signed in as not a member, when in fact I am a member, just not a paying member. I'd love to be added back into the list.

  Thanks again for great content, culture, and inspiration.