How would you describe this?

How about a "Business Neighborhood?"

The Entrepreneur's Social Network.

The way I see it, "Biznik" is actually a bent acronym derived from:

"Business: Network, Information & Karma"

Biz-NIK.

That's the best way I can describe it. Works for me....

Although I too would have answered the survey as self employed, I would prefer someting more creative. On the survey did you give them options or did they provide the answers of "self employed", "freelancer" or "solopreneur" them selves?

Dan, you could rename Biznik several different way. All of the names listed above work for me; but so does Business Networking. Why fix something that's not broken? Art T.

Dan, what is the problem you are trying to address? Is there an actual marketing goal (e.g. higher conversion rate) or is it more about your own sense of coherence?

Great question Dan. I've been thinking a lot about this as well, as I try to imagine how to spread the Biznik gospel ;)

Personally, when I think about the term "business networking" it does seem to be only a part, perhaps even a smaller part, of what happens here (online and offline) and what people are looking for.

I think most people come here, most generally, because they want to 'grow' their business.

That 'growth' means different things at different biz stages and for different people/biz personalities: -get more clients -get more partners -get social/spiritual support -get practical knowledge to 'succeed' -make work more fun/creative/supported -feel supported by others in the same world -etc.

I really like all the phrases that you've come up with, as well as the suggestions.

Perhaps we could create a list of, say, 10 phrases (like "Business social network") and then have current bizniks vote on how they primarily see/experience Biznik? (I can create a zoomerang survey)

Biznik is/will evolve into something co-created by Biznik staff vision/intention and what people are wanting/needing. What will that be?

When I'm thinking of describing something new to somebody who has not heard of it before, I tend to relate it to something known. For Biznik, the 800lb gorilla is LinkedIn, when you think of online business networking, you think LinkedIn (unless you are apart of the Biznik community!).

Biznik is not LinkedIn, to me, Biznik is more "real", meaning it's more than just an online connection and a profile, it's a way to blend online activities with real life. When I talk to people that are on LinkedIn, the overwhelming majority respond "I have an account but I don't use it", or something like that. Biznik users, on the other hand, use it far more often.

I think a lot of what Biznik is has to do with the actual community itself. They are all "solopreneurs" or "self-employed", so they are using Biznik as a tool as opposed to just having a profile and connections.

So back to the original question, how would I describe what is going on here? Well, it's a better LinkedIn, and the community uses it to enhance their business...it's difficult to break it down to a phrase, and I'm terrible at this, but here's my attempt: "enhancing(ed) business networking". Just some food for thought...

disclaimer: I have used LinkedIn and have found it useful to some degree; it has it's place. I just like Biznik a lot better and have found IT to be much more beneficial to my buisness.

Hey Leif, I agree, so many people come here to grow their business, but that can mean something different for everyone. But I do believe it all boils down to the networking.

For someone who has belonged to various chambers of commerce over the last 20 years, dabbled in other networking organizations and clubs, I really think that Dan and Lara hit it on the head. I firmly believe this is all about business networking, but it's business networking that doesn't suck. And I can vouch there is a lot of sucky networking out there!

I love that tagline and believe it says it all!

~bob

Yeah, I'm still big on the tagline, too, Bob. That's how I pitch Biznik to everyone who hasn't heard of it yet, and it always gets a smile of recognition.

I also like John's take on the twisted acronym.

I guess I most often refer to Biznik as my "community." I don't like to say "networking group" because people then think BNI or something similar.

What about "small business community: online and off"?

:)

Personally, I like "small business community" the best.

There's a strong community feel with Biznik that we super-disconnected humans seem to crave. It's a Seattle anti-freeze!! :))

The word "connection" feels like it would fit somewhere in there as it applies to both business and human connection that Biznik seems to address.

I like Leif's idea of taking a poll of different phrases. I like polls. :)

Hey Dan,

I agree with Arthur over this - Why create a aritificial storm in a non existent cup when everything about Biznik in my opinion is close to perfect:-) I love Biznik the way it is and it can continue that way for some more time to come...

PS: John your take on Biznik was pretty creative and cool...

-Anita CM

In a way, I don't think I really get the question. Why is there supposed to be one single phrase that will precisely describe biznik, while covering all the functions? I mean, does Yahoo have on?

The current tag line is really good. It catches the core functionality and purpose (business networking) and adds a tongue in cheek memorable and edgily phrased comment about community. Essentially, once you begin using biznik, you realize that the thing that is sucking about all other networks is the lack of real community. So it works very well for me.

My 2c.

@Dan - I use LinkedIn mostly as a research and connection tool for business development. It got me a foot in some doors I wouldn't have got to otherwise.

Dan, while "social marketing" makes sense from a dictionary perspective, it doesn't ring for me as what Biznik feels like.

And before I found Biznik, I didn't know squat about marketing, so I would have likely misperceived that particular description.

On a basic level (meaning excluding my curse of knowledge as much as I can), to me, "networking" means meeting people. And "marketing" means selling.

Where are the copywriters who can bring their take to this discussion?

I described biznik as "a business networking group using social networking mechanism" to the people I invited. Since 20 of them are members now, I think that description must make sense :)

Okay, I will chime in one more time.

Another reason I tend to still like "business networking" opposed to "social networking" or "social marketing" is the fact that there are still a heck of a lot of businesses out there that don't really understand social media.

Although many of us throw these terms around easily and get it, we need to understand that for a lot of people it's an "education" process. I speak to a lot of groups and one-on-one -- most all of them savvy business people. But I can't tell you how many times when I mentioned "social media", or "social networking" or even "blogging" that their eyes glaze over in puzzlement.

So in a nutshell, people get "business networking". And I think that Biznik is a perfect place to draw those businesses in with what they know, and then educate them.

What Banu said... as long as we are alright with the word "small" I am because it's all relative and subjective (more a mental construct than anything else). It captures all of the essential elements and like Banu said it feels good:-)

"collaborative community" is way too clunky to say out loud.

I would think about whether or not you really need a slogan.

Are taglines dead?

This is a fantastic thread - great job kick-starting the conversation, Dan. I agree with many here that your current tagline speaks very well to what Biznik is accomplishing. It addresses the "what" that people can recognize (business networking - it helps to make it clear to folks who are learning about Biznik for the first time) but shakes it up a bit by standing out and being different. It's playful, which I think is important and reflects positively on what Biznik is all about.

That said, there is always room to grow and adapt what you currently have to make it even stronger. If I could make one suggestion it would be to try and hit on the positive aspects of Biznik - instead of telling people what it isn't (as it stands all we are told is that Biznik doesn't suck), tell them what it is. "Building a community through business networking," "Beyond business networking - a collaborative community for independent workers." or something along those lines. That's not coming out quite the way I'd hope it to, but I'd like to see you all emphasize the good things that Biznik has to offer.

Let the brainstorm continue!