Biznik 101

Hi Steve,
For the last four years, the co-Founders of Biznik have hosted monthly events that helped new Bizniks get up to speed with the tools and the community.

Clearly, that model was only going to work for so long... :-)

We are now creating a series of video tutorials that will help new people like yourself get up to speed with Biznik Best Practices. But those videos are going to take a while to produce...

So in the interim, you can feel free to email me and ask questions (it is part of my job!), attend events in your area and network with other Bizniks, and also look for some upcoming "intro to Biznik" style events hosted by successful members of Biznik. I know at least two people are sculpting their events, even as we speak...

Welcome to Biznik! - Christian

I want that training! it made a huge difference to me when I did it in January. I want to light up LA!

Steve and Rachel, I know that Olympia is a bit of a distance BUT, we host Biznik 101 events monthly down here. I am sure we could bring it to Tacoma pretty easily.

I think that the best way to get acquainted with how to use Biznik is to

1) play with it - a lot. Get in there on each tab and look at what options are there and try your hand. That means posting comments to articles etc.

2) Look at the various people in your networks and see how they have their profiles built - I always gained really good tips from seeing what others are doing on their profiles which helped me to elevate my google search.

3) Get engaged with contribution on the network. Leave comments and tips that deepen the learning of others - this elevates your cool factor :0) and gets you good exposure.

4) Play with the search option. More recently I have had questions from people who are trying to figure out how to find other people on Biznik - test out the search feature and play with the miles to a certain city. I think the default is now 25 - anyway that is a fun one.

5) finally - join groups and join the conversation. Be active there to see what others are up to.

Have fun!!

Steve and Rachel,

I tried to refer some newer Bizniks to Dan and Lara's old class a month or so ago and discovered it was no longer! Yes, there are some good online resources and more on the way.

But I LOVE a good face-to-face event, and started designing one that I'll be offering in June, likely in Redmond and in Seattle.

Getting involved with Biznik and learning to use and understand the powerful tools it provides made a huge difference in my business (not to mention in my life). I'm looking forward to sharing some tips and strategies that I've learned along the way.

(Too funny that you're doing something like that Tammy, I think we have figured out before that we think alike! Such great minds we have!)

Tammy, you put down some good food for thought for newbies.

I just joined in January of this year. I have figured a lot of things out for myself but it would have been nice (and still would be) to have a newbie class.

A class would not only help newbies to make the best use of biznik but it would also give each group a jump start in their network connections.

I would love to work on putting something such as that together for us that are further north and give it once a month.

Kate, is there any kind of training for those who would like to be an Ambassador for their area?

Nancy, I'm not an ambassador and can't tell you about that, but try Dan, Lara, Christian, or even someone with that "ambassador" badge!

I'm still interested in giving Biznik classes, had an outline almost done but got sidetracked this summer with family emergencies/aging father issues. But lately I'm itching again to get the class going.

Happy to travel to about Lynnwood... just need venue and a co-host with a laptop! (Nancy?)

You have a co-host with a laptop. Boy, venue in Lynnwood. I'll have to check into that. I am more familliar with Everett and of course Marysville.

As a a member of the Marysville Chamber I can rent their meeting room which holds about 12 people. I don't know what Everett Chamber has or what their rules are but I know two people who are in the chamber so I'll check on that.

I will check with some places in Lynnwood first before checking into Everett.

I have not gone through any type of Biznik class but if you send me a copy of your outline/material I won't feel clueless as your co-host.

I am excited Kate, thanks.

Steve... I used to share a number of Biznik Basics and Tips during my regular workshops over the past couple of years.

If you will join my Biznik Group Entrepreneurial Junkies and then drop me a note to remind me, I will schedule a class just for you. Oh yeah, we'll invite all the others in the group too.

I am a member of The Village Bellevue where we have wifi and a great facility to host the class in Bellevue.

@Kate and @Nancy... I'm always open to co-hosts if you are interested. ...Howard

Nancy, Penny Wight on Biznik has a coffee shop and I think meeting space in Lynnwood, plus, she's a peach! I haven't seen her place, but she's been on my list to visit... And I think 20 or more is a good number, 12 sounds a bit small.

And Howard, I've got access to another space in Bellevue (that I believe can hold more than the conference rooms at The Village), but yes, open to talking about co-hosting (in either venue) to see if it would make sense!

Kate

Kate, let's see what we can work out.