Knowledge Center: 18 Social Networks For Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

18 Social Networks For Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are no strangers to going it alone. But that doesn't mean they have to be alone. Social networks provide a way to collaborate and share ideas with peers, search for partners, locate service providers, get the necessary information to run a business, and join a community of fellow entrepreneurs.

Here is a list of social networks for entrepreneurs. Some of the sites focus on building business relationships, while others are more of an ask-an-expert style. All of these networks are free, though some have fees for enhanced membership.

Social Networks for Entrepreneurs

Biznik. Biznik is for sharing your ideas, not posting your resume. Biznik members meet online and in person, because nothing beats the power of a face-to-face meeting to build lasting business relationships. After you establish your profile city, Biznik shows you local members in your area and events you can attend for local networking. Basic membership is free; Pro is $10 per month for enhanced profile; ProVIP is $24 per month for enhanced visibility.

Biznik.

Cofoundr. This is a basic social network for entrepreneurs. Post your question or message, get answers from followers, and follow other entrepreneurs.

Dreamstake. Dreamstake provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and launch their ideas. Features include mentoring, funding support, talent matching, and legal. The network has over 4,500 members.

Entrepreneur Connect. This is a social network started by Entrepreneur Magazine. Create a profile and explore the idea-sharing community. Create or join professional groups. Create a blog and have it featured on the home page.

Entrepreneur Connect.

Focus. Post questions to business experts, receive research and analysis of business trends, and participate in a variety of events, including roundtables and webinars.

Go BIG Network. Go BIG Network claims to be the biggest community of startup companies. Create your business plan and meet investors. Members of Go BIG can either search profiles of other members to contact, or post a request to let members know what they are looking for.

LinkedIn. The largest social network for professionals, LinkedIn has over 100 million users. The "On Startups" group alone has nearly 200,000 members. LinkedIn offers many resources for entrepreneurs. Brand yourself as an entrepreneur, find service providers or partners, and participate with your LinkedIn network to strengthen your profile.

LinkedIn.

PartnerUp. This is an online community focused on the needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs. You can find commercial properties, locate partners to join your team, find accountants and marketers to grow and maintain your business, and get answers from people with relevant experience.

Perfect Business. This site provides an online video center, business plan software, and access to expert investors to pitch your ideas to and get feedback. Build your network as you launch your business.

Ryze. This is smaller business professional's social network whose prime focus is to help like-minded entrepreneurs find one another. Ryze helps people make connections and grow their networks. You can dialog to grow your business, build your career and life, find a job and make sales. Or just keep in touch with friends.

Ryze.

Sprouter. Sprouter allows entrepreneurs to get answers to small business questions from a panel of experts. Entrepreneurs can ask a question, browse relevant content, comment on answers, and share advice with their networks.

StartupNation. StartupNation wants to be your one-stop shop for entrepreneurial success. Find practical information to start and grow your own successful business: step-by-step advice, helpful articles, small business and entrepreneur forums, member-to-member networking, expert blogs, and contests. There are over 105,000 members.

StartupSpace. The purpose of StartupSpace is to learn, share and prosper. Start a business group or join a listed group. Write a blog and have it featured on the StartupSpace front page. StartupSpace has over 38,000 members.

The Funded. The Funded is an online community of entrepreneurs who discuss fundraising, rate and review investors, and discuss strategies to grow a business. It has over 16,000 members.

Upspring. Upspring is a place to connect, ask questions, give answers, and learn from your business community. View updates from your contacts on social media like Facebook and Twitter, and reply directly from a single interface. Build and manage your professional contacts, track what people are saying about your company, and grow your business with free promotional tools.

Upspring.

Viadeo. Popular in western Europe and founded in France, Viadeo is for business owners, entrepreneurs and managers, with close to 35 million members globally. Manage your network of contacts, find new leads and partnership opportunities, and showcase your expertise to get headhunted.

XING. A social platform similar to LinkedIn, but mostly utilized by the business communities of China and Europe. It features closed communities so members of global corporations can have private interaction online. XING has more than 10 million members worldwide.

Young Entrepreneur. This social network provides solutions and support to assist small business owners with starting, managing and growing successful business ventures. The site provides the latest news, entrepreneurial conversations, small business webinars, a helpful blog, resource videos, advice from seasoned experts, and access to a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.

Young Entrepreneur.