Made any Biznik money?I've spent more than $10,000 on Biznik services so far.
Audree DeAngeles writes copy for me at Cardiac Science.
Erin made my website.
Elizabeth and Amanda organized my company's files.
William Fulton restored my data.
Bruce Blessing installed our doggie door.
Have you hired anyone because of Biznik? I sense that few Bizniks have profited from fellow Bizniks. Have you?
I am not good at math...
Erin worked on my website too
Eric Forrer is putting a new roof on my house
Farm Girl Kelly Davis designed my company logo
Andy took amazing photos of my best friends
Jay has filled my belly several times
Who hasn't been to Bizi Bee?
*Joe asks, "Have you hired anyone because of Biznik?" *
Gwen Williams transformed space for us in good time.
Soleil taught some sunny yoga de-stress techniques.
Jeff Collins dashed over to help once: his expertise suits me quite well.
Rachel: where there's fog, there's fire.
The fey Sierra repaired my freeking neck and back, while Megan gave an infusion of healing and nutritional advice to overcome chronic indigestion.
Jack conjured up some magic marketing tools.
Julie's place has set the stage as a main source of laughter.
Jessie authored upp some rocking ideas for getting communication in tune...
So. Have you hired anyone because of Biznik? Not enough, but I'm trying...
I hired Colleen Johnson of CMS Office to do some proofreading for me. She came to my attention when she found a typo in my online profile. She does business from Virginia, and I do business in Bellevue.
I just hired her again to manage another administrative project. And, I have referred her to at least three other BizNik colleagues since becoming familiar with her services.
And, one BizNik member -- Craig Sigl -- read some of my articles and decided to attend the April 18 Publici-Tea Half Day Workshop. Today, he posted a compliment about the value that event delivered in return for his investment of time and money.
I am delighted with the value I am receiving from others and the opportunities that are flowing my way. It's a beautiful thing!
Yup. In both directions.
Hired them: Sierra for massage. William Fulton for data backup. Stephanie Ostrea for admin help.
Hired Me: YogaBlaze - Soleil Hepner: logo design Austin Cantina - Jefe Birkner: graphics and interiors Country Meadow - Rebecca Wood: image re-branding Examiner.com - Laura Vescey: writing my own eco design column!! BiziBee Floral - Eco product consult and some graphics
Trade for promo: BiziBee Floral, Urban Weeds and In Harmony Creations. They provided stuff for the Green Festival After Party that I did some décor for.
Got some in the works and I just referred Lesa Sullivan, Sophia MacDonald and someone who's name is escaping me to a guy I thought could use any of them.
Emily Koteff and I are going to tag team on some event styling at some point.
Bnik is the first resource I go to when I or someone needs something. I've also consulted with a number of Bnikers when I needed advice on something.
If I spaced out on mentioning anyone, my apologies ahead of time!
I <3 BIZNIK!!
I almost forgot one of my most favoritest Bizniks as of late Michael Max who has made it possible for me to turn my head in all the directions that it is supposed to turn.
I haven't had such great luck on Biznik because the folks here are doing so well that they are booked full. The attorney I found here is so popular that she's not able to fit in new clients at this time. I found a fabulous person on Biznik to help me with my website (doing things to it to make it come up higher on search engines) but I think he must be very busy because he hasn't been able to make time to give me an estimate. This is a good thing though, this means folks are finding so many new clients on Biznik that they don't have room for more (as a business owner, I can appreciate this)!
I did have Amy Woidtke re-design my current studio though and she did a fabulous job. And Biznik is still the first place I go when I need new services.
Oh, lordie. Here's my list (and doesn't include my trades):
I've definitely spent a few (ha!) dollars at Emiliya Lane's shop Frank & Dunya in Fremont.
I have attended several of the awesome Girl Power Hour events organized by Darnell.
Mayna recently redressed me to look so much snazzier and up-to-date!
Tim has helped me immensely with some health issues.
Ellen was the energy work mentor I desperately needed. And in the beginning of my exploration of healing work, I found and hired the wonderful Satori.
David helped me and a friend talked to some loved ones who had passed on. (Really!)
Rachel Lyn has given me invaluable consultation, as has Karrie.
Akira and Dipika of Design Kompany designed my first round of killer biz cards.
I hired the expertise of Mikelann, Tom, Giannina, Dominic, and Soleil to create my first Business Startup Toolkit weekend workshop last summer.
Beve helped me get my nutrition balanced.
I regularly see Kory for health and healing needs (every healer needs a healer, and he's mine!)
Sierra makes sure my muscles all still work together.
And Sharon will be getting some of my money soon for her legal expertise when my documentary project gets off the shelf.
So the question is really, who HAVEN'T I hired?
OYE! How could I ever have forgotten Darnell Sue of Girl Power Hour, whom I met b/c of Bnik!
I go to GPH EVERY month and love it every time! I've made some great connections there and donated door prizes to their drawings, etc. I even won a great eco-friendly Tshirt that says "It's hip to be green" at the last event. Appropriate for me, eh?
Fun bit about meeting Darnell was discovering that her GPH co-founder, Samantha Lawton, I had met awhile back at a green event! How fun to be reconnected to her!
I've had my carpets cleaned, purchased several drinks and dinners at the many venues, Kevin got me a new computer. I've also sent out referrals to people that aren't myself. I don't know how all of them have turned out but you can only try. As for me; I have received several referrals from Biznik members and also from people they know. I've also brought some of my other networking contacts here. What makes you think people aren't profiting from their Biznik membership Joe? Art T.
Thanks, Art.
I heard anecdotes from members that they had interest from members, but that few followed through once the "free sample" was delivered.
I'll respect the confidence in which those members shared their stories, and they can chime in here if it suits them.
I'll add that the majority of my clients have come from Biznik, but due to confidentiality, I won't be naming anyone. :)
My experience, though, has definitely been that Bizniks have been great, consistent, and hard-working clients for me. I have had a few looky-loos, but I believe you'll find some of those anywhere.
I believe I've heard several marketing experts talk about how a free sample is rarely a good business promotion simply BECAUSE it attracts those who are looking to get something for nothing.
I would respectfully disagree with those other marketing experts.
Free samples can be a very powerful strategy to generate new business. It depends, of course, on your offering, and on the lifetime value of a customer.
Here again, I won't mention specifics but one friend has lots of prospects say they are Very Interested and then they don't follow through.
Another two speculated that their rates might be too high for Biznik members.
Who's to say? That's why I threw this string out there: to check an assumption and do a little research for the Biznik community about the Biznik community.
As a consumer, I find free samples very convincing when it's a product.
But when it's a service, I a) rarely follow up on the offer in the first place, and when I do, I b) rarely find the service so wonderful that I use it again. And often, if I bother to use the freebie, it's just because it was free, not because I was deeply invested in wanting whatever that service was.
Here's an example. I won a free consultation for professional organizing. I could sort of use that, but it's still sitting on my desk two months later.
Why?
I'm not sold on the value (which is my lack of info, not a reflection of this particular vendor), and the darn thing is free!
Also, I'm concerned that I'm going to end up the recipient of a hard sell, and the possibility of that negates any perceived value of the consultation for me.
I'm actually a very loyal customer once someone has shown me their value, but I think very few people who offer free samples of their service amply demonstrate their value. I can think of one person whose services I still use that convinced me with a free service. And I can think of many more who did not.
For my service (marketing strategy help), I believe the articles here and on my website constitute free samples. Interactions at my lunch events, too.
Truth be told, I'm active on Biznik for what I think are different reasons than most.
I'm a "corporate guy." I enjoy full-time work for the sense of ownership it gives me.
I participate in Biznik (a) for the friendships I've made; (b) for these interactions (Rachel, we've never met in person but I feel I know you), (c) the stuff I've learned; and (d) what I've given back to the community.
Those are the principal currencies for me -- and a good thing, too! Few conversations with me have led to "I need to hire you."
I wonder (aloud) if I were here to support my family if I'd be able to do it by catering to the Biznik community. I'd probably have a different strategy to "convert" clients. Still, I wonder if Biznik would be the best place for me to start.
And so this string. For those among you here to support your family, do you find you can do it using Biznik members as your principal target audience?
I've had my share of looky lu's but that's OK. I went into my industry knowing that a bunch of people would talk to me but not buy. I get 1-2 clients a month from biznik on an average. Personally I think that's great. Could I support my family from that; no way. This is networking though. You don't do just one thing to get your name out there. You do several things. That's how it all works together. Art T.
Everyone Elizabeth Lee has worked with, I have too. Except for Michael Max. I DO intend to because he is wonderful to my sister and helped her more than everyone else she tried. Might I also point out that the pictures Andy took of her best friend was in fact not me. Odd, I know. But the pictures Andy took of her dogs were fantastic.
What a great thread, guys. I love sharing
Biznik's first full time employee, an administrative assistant, was found through Biznik. Amanda Nokes, is the the co-founder of Seattle Organizing Works with her sister, Elizabeth Lee. We met Niels Hoven at a Biznik event. He is also a member of the Biznik team, assisting in sales.
Dan and I (and Biznik) also found our trademark and business attorney Danny Bronski; our lead developer John Adair; our colocation web hosting facility, WowRack and Jimmy Pandra; our design team Forty Media fronted by Aaron Post and James Archer; our new development team Integrum fronted by Jade Meskill and Derek Neighbors; all on Biznik! I also give Biznik credit for delivering our financial advisor and accountant Elizabeth Mance; and two of our business development consultants, Karrie Kohlhaas and Bryan Brewer.
Biznik, the company, has also benefited from hiring the services of: Karen Chappell (designer of the "fish" postcard), Chris Haddad (copywriter of the Biznik Manifesto), Christa Gardner (copywriting), Jim Ruttler (our patent attorney), Arthur Torelli (our credit card processing), Len Davis (creator of the informational video on the homepage), Beth Cosker (helped us find our health insurance benefits AND offers Biznik members access to a group policy), Leslie Lippi (got Biznik promotional products: tshirts, coffee tumbler and notebook), Shelly Farnham and Peter Brown (Pathable Nametags at BizJam).
The designer we hired to create the Biznik logo is also a member of Biznik: Nadja Haldimann (but she's been a friend since long before Biznik was born.)
The following members were unpaid but donated countless hours on Biznik's first Advisory Board in 2006: Christopher Braxtan (real estate), Jill Braxtan, Danny Bronski, Dominic, Canterbury (marketing), Chris Haddad, Nadja Haldimann, and Kenn Herman (systems architect).
Countless others have contributed time, energy, resources and passion into making Biznik what it is today - but since we haven't hired them specifically for their services, I'll leave that list for another thread.
Lastly, Dan and I've had the pleasure of also hiring these members for their superb services: Tiberio Simone (supberb artistic catering), Dawna Holloway (kick ass electrician), Elke Siller Macartney (uncommon spiritual guidance), Sierra Kennedy (one hell of a massage), Gwen Williams (Feng Shui redesign), Benni Sack (killer housecleaning), Sara Eizen (straight forward organizing), Bruce Blessing (jack'o'all trades home repair and build), Erik Oland (persistant pest/ant control), Michelle Bates (art photography), Malcolm Smith (portrait & event photography), Tyler Oakley (personal trainer responsible for my toned arms), Dennis Dilday (chiropractic helped Dan), Pamela Ziemann (coaching Dan and I on public speaking), Eric Forrer (going to come in and repair a complicated flat roof leak), Piper Salogga (helped me "Office Shui" my home office), Stephanie Toler (a green housecleaner helping my parents), Joe Shirley (guidance), Dr. Joanna Forwell ND (our wonderful naturopath), Ellen Forney (an awesome illustration of Dan and I), Jocelyne Hershey (our hair stylist), Elizabeth Scarlett (an extraordinary commissioned painting of Lara), and Lisa Gastelum (one of my all-time favorite jewelry designers).
Whew! This felt like a Academy Award acceptance speech. I hope I didn't forget anyone!
So far I haven't used or had my services used by any biznik members.
I've developed some great relationships here, but my revenue all comes from other sources.
To date I haven't needed any services (biznikians or otehrwise!), but that's not to say that I won't be looking here first when I do.
The value I get from biznik is really in the networking and learning about different approaches to small business. The type of work that I do as an illustrator doesn't seem to attract many on biznik, but I enjoy reading the articles and communicating with other indies.
Wow, Lara, that is some list!!
And Happy Mother's Day! Your baby has more than 10,000 members now!
Forgot to mention, Maureen Moriarty is my executive coach. Worth every penny.
I have had Christian Messer help me with website development. I am in an e-book mastermind group with a number of Biznkers; Barbara Saunders, Clarice Dankers, Naolani, Vicki Lind and more... Brandie Kajino plan to work together in the future.
My two cents on free samples. It is the best form of marketing. It allows a relationship to develop. I give away a free e-book on my website, a free prosperity challenge and more. I invite you all to partake. No obligation.
I now look to Biznik first anytime I need to hire anyone for anything! So far... Kelly Davis updated my promotional postcard, Justin Kleibacker cleaned my carpets and sofa, Regan MacStravic took the new promo photo for the sign language flashcards I've produced, Bill McKinstry printed both runs of those flashcards, Michael Max has provided acupunture treatments for my sinues and I will be seeing Kory Kapitke on Friday to see if he can treat my food allergies with acupuncture, Erin Pierce helped me transfer my web site to a new host server and I have attended two of Aviva Fannie's speed dating events . I'm sure the list will continue to grow longer!
Nancy
www.hoptosignaroo.com
Kelly Hobkirk just did my website (including copy) and I am psyched!
Check out his work!
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