Networking 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 Lori Richardson and 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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  Teresa Schmidt

  Freelance Copywriter

  Bellingham, Washington
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  Tom Gurney

  Real Estate Agent

  Bellingham, Washington
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  Trina Bol

  Corporate Event Production & Destination...

  Mount Vernon, Washington
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  Tshombe Brown

  Bellingham Business Coach for Real...

  Portland, Oregon

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  Posted by Lori Richardson, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 12, 2008

  Hey everyone, this is going to be a rockin event. Please encourage someone who is independent running their own business or a small business to join Biznik and attend - hearing Dan and Lara explain the concepts of Biznik and the power of the Biznik community will really inspire and educate.

  Tshombe and I would love to see at least 20 more attendees - so please think of who might be interested in expanding their network through collaboration - and please invite them to attend. Call me if you have any questions - you can get my contact info through my profile, and THANKS for your support.

  B2B sales coach and fundraising auctioneer
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  Posted by Tshombe Brown, Portland, Oregon | Sep 17, 2008

  Hurray! I think we're going to have a full house!

  You won't be disappointed. Dan and Lara are AMAZING.

  (And me and Lori aren't too shabby ourselves!)

  Bellingham Business Coach
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  Posted by Lori Richardson, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 17, 2008

  Thanks Tshombe, yep - I get paid to consult with companies on growing their business and the Biznik principles of collaboration is something everyone can easily integrate into their business.

  See you tonight!

  B2B sales coach and fundraising auctioneer
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  Posted by Lori Richardson, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Hello to everyone who attended this wonderful event.

  What I wanted to say and what I eluded to in the previous note (above) is that as a business and sales consultant, clients all want to know how to increase revenues and grow business.

  The best way to be authentic and feel rewarded is to do this through relationship building - and in Biznik's collaborative (not competitive) environment it is so easy.

  What a great bunch of folks to get together. Let's do it again soon! I think Dan and Lara would have to rate Bellingham Bizniks as fun folk!

  B2B sales coach and fundraising auctioneer
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  Posted by Meredith Ann Murray, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Yes, Lori, thank for hosting this with Tshombe. I was thrilled to meet Dan and Lara - what amazing, conscious, awake young people. The world is in good hands!! A few years ago I started my own networking group where there was no limit to any category of business and I won't join those who have that restriction. There is plenty for everyone and collaboration is where it's at! When any one of us succeeds, we all succeed! There are 8 Billion people but only ONE of us here..... Blessings all! Meredith

  Meredith Ann Murray, Realtor
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  Posted by Drew Graham, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Great meeting and wonderful folks at the helm. Thanks to Lara, Dan, Lori and Tshombe for everything. Great & powerful tool. We will put it to good use.
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  Posted by Lori Richardson, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Meredith - no kidding about Lara & Dan. One reason I like to see small business owners attend the "Networking the Biznik Way" event is to see two passionate people who took an idea and ran with it - building it into something that really IS changing the way we network.

  Drew, glad you liked the event. Since we both went to the "New Word of Mouth Marketing" conference last week - we should compare notes on that too.

  B2B sales coach and fundraising auctioneer
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  Posted by David Wiggs, Seattle, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Just the nuggets about SEO that Dan shared made the night worth the time spent--not to mention the specifics on Biznik networking. The SEO alone done by Biznik is incredible.

  The business ideas shared were worth thousands and no one paid a dime. Thanks to Lara, Lori and Tshombe for making this happen.

  Looking forward to meeting more Bizniks and becoming more active after we take a much needed summer break and get our new lives running. Hey, I'm stretching summer out as far as I can!

  List your ad agency for upcoming pitches: FREE
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  Posted by Eric Cole, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Wonderful event! Thank you Lori, Tshombe, Lara and Dan.

  The Gateway Centre was a great location for hosting, too.

  The discussion of how the site works was very helpful. I have already formulated some interesting strategies for leveraging Biznik.

  Best, Eric
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  Posted by Lori Richardson, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  good to hear, Eric! I saw a number of folks lingering in the parking lot - so much to think about and so many ideas being sparked.

  Tshombe, wonderful photos!!!

  B2B sales coach and fundraising auctioneer
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  Posted by Teresa Schmidt, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Tshombe, Lori, Lara and Dan, Thanks to all of you for your gifts of time and effort that were given to all of us last evening. What a valuable investment it was for me! I enjoyed meeting many of you and look forward to our building a vibrant Biznik community in Bellingham!

  Jim Carney, our thanks to you for your contribution to the meeting space at the lovely Gateway Centre Executive Suites
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  Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Sep 18, 2008

  Thanks for posting the photos, Tshombe! I was just going to upload mine and realized, wow, these are SO much better than my iPhone snaps.

  Thanks back at everyone who attended last night - Lara and I had a blast, and yes, Lori, we definitely put Bellingham on our "cool places with cool people" list after last night. I look forward to seeing how you guys put all of that to use. Have fun with it.

  And I just want to say an extra special thank-you to Lori, who paid for the venue last night herself, along with help from Jim Carney, who chipped in by subsidizing the cost of his venue.

  Go Bellingham!

  Biznik Business Networking
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  Posted by Marianna Paulson, Surrey, British Columbia Canada | Sep 19, 2008

  I like to think of myself as being able to spot a good thing when I see it. And, last night just confirmed it!

  Thanks to all of you for your support. Biznik and Biznikers have provided a neophyte with much-needed information and the ranking on Google is not too shabby, either! :)
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  Posted by Larry Shaffer, Seattle, Washington | Sep 19, 2008

  Hi, Thanks for an evening of extremely informative insight not only about Biznik, but also great advice for SEO and other key factors in increasing one's business exposure. It was a pleasure to meet and talk to other Biznik members. I look forward to attending more events! Special Kudo's to Lori and Tshombe! cheers. Larry
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  Posted by Lori Richardson, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 19, 2008

  Larry, it was great to see you again!

  B2B sales coach and fundraising auctioneer
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  Posted by kerry graham, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 19, 2008

  Great! Fun, I'll upgrade and really use it. Look forward to hosting. Thanks kerry
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  Posted by Tshombe Brown, Portland, Oregon | Sep 22, 2008

  Those who don't know me don't know how emotional I can be (so forgive me if I gush), and I have to say that this is more beautiful than I can articulate.

  I am grateful to all of you for making this such an amazing event and for really "getting it." Biznik and Dan and Lara are all about YOU and increasing your visibility and bottom line.

  And the added bonus is they LOVE you.

  Collaboration -- as opposed to Competition -- is all about Love.

  Wouldn't you agree?

  Bellingham Business Coach
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  Posted by Meredith Ann Murray, Bellingham, Washington | Sep 22, 2008

  Absolutely, Tshombe - we ARE love and loved. Keep up the good work. I hope to see some of you on Tuesday from 4 - 6 at the Hearthfire Grill to continue our Biznik discussion! Jane Blinka and I are co-hosting it.

  I also suggested to Lara that Biznik change the byline from such a negative one (networking that doesn't suck!) to "Networking as Collaboration" or something. She says they have been considering a change for awhile and are working with markteing/branding people. Yeah!

  Ciao, Meredith

  Meredith Ann Murray, Realtor
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  Posted by Jane Blinka, Ferndale, Washington | Sep 22, 2008

  I walked out of the event dazzled by the crackling and popping of enthusiastic creative energy, plus three pages of notes on how to optimize my use of Biznik. I'm still integrating all of the ideas generated and buzzing around in my brain. It is downright exciting to feel a part of this community of folks! I send my thanks to all for making it a very energizing gathering.