Biznik Launches Next Generation Business Networking Platform and Announces Seattle's First Indie Business Conference on June 9th
Biznik presents Seattle's first indie business conference on June 9, and announces launch date for Biznik's next-generation social network designed to connect independent professionals.
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) May 24, 2007 -- Biznik (http://biznik.com) announced today the upcoming release of the new social network slated to coincide with Seattle's first-ever indie business conference, Bizjam, on June 9th. Catering to independent professionals, the active online and face-to-face community already has more than 3,200 members in 65 countries prior to any formal marketing efforts. Backed by powerful Web 2.0 technology designed to build and maintain personal business relationships, this highly anticipated version of Biznik is a community effort that takes networking for indies to the next level. Personal businesses -- one person with no employees -- now account for more than 70 percent of the nation's businesses, according to US Census figures. Economic, social and technological change is producing a more independent workforce interested in flexible work schedules and a better work-life balance. In response to this shift, Biznik was founded to help these individuals find, build and maintain vital connections leveraging the latest social networking technology and tools together with live, community-generated events.
"Starting a business is hard, often lonely work," says Biznik co-founder Dan McComb, a Seattle web developer who co-founded Biznik with wife Lara Feltin in March 2005. "We created the Biznik social network with the idea that people facing the same challenges and opportunities have a lot to learn from each other. Our members represent a wide range of industries from marketing to massage therapy, and real estate to interior design to name a few, but they all have one thing in common -- a desire to connect with and learn from other indie business owners." Unlike traditional business networking services that emphasize referrals, Biznik fosters relationships. "To succeed at being independent, small businesses also have to succeed at being interdependent," says McComb, and, "our approach is relationships matter more than referrals, and collaboration matters more than competition."
Rejecting the purely online tactics employed by networks such as LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) and Xing (www.xing.com), Biznik bridges the web with the real world. "We love technology, but face-to-face events remain the most effective way to build trust," says co-founder, Lara Feltin who spent 15 years as an independent photographer before starting Biznik. Members can create an online profile, form a network, participate in groups and discussion forums, and attend educational and networking events designed specifically for indie professionals (and those interested in taking the plunge). Prior to attending a Biznik event, members can view photos, names and occupations of everyone attending. Armed with this information, networking is more efficient and less random. "It's easier to introduce yourself to someone who you already know a little about, and you're less likely to be wasting your time. It also 'breaks the ice' and often feels like you've already met people in the room at a Biznik event," Feltin explains.
Some of the enhanced features of the soon-to-be released Biznik site include:
| | - Localization -- Indie business people can connect with each other at the local level, anywhere in the world online 24-7 or in person through events.
- Groups -- The ability to form groups, including local groups (based on geographical location), affinity groups (based on shared interests) and professional groups (based on shared profession). Groups may be public, semi-public or private.
- Talk -- A full-featured discussion forum in which members can ask business-related questions and receive answers from other members.
- Events and Workshops -- Any member can host an event such as a happy hour. Workshop hosts agree to provide 95 percent valuable information and no more than 5 percent self-promotion.
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Basic Biznik membership is free. Active members pay $10 per month, which includes additional visibility on the network, the ability to form groups, and discounts on events. Active members can also charge a fee and receive payment for any events they host. The highest level of membership, which pays $24/month, is for Supporting members, who receive additional visibility and promotion of their profiles inside and outside the network.
Biznik Presents BizJam - A Business-building marathon of ideas, inspiration and innovation
On June 9, Biznik will present Seattle's first indie business conference, BizJam. The all-day event, which aims to attract 200 attendees, will be held at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. O'Reilly author Scott Berkun, whose latest book published May 2007, is titled, The Myths of Innovation, will deliver the keynote. Other speakers include Seattle author Michelle Goodman, author of The Anti 9 to 5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside of the Cube (Seal Press, December 2006). About half of the unconference-style "JamSessions" will be hosted by Biznik members. Evening events include fast-paced "Ask Later" business presentations hosted by O'Reilly Radar's Brady Forrest, and a fashion show spotlighting the talents of local indie fashion designers Soy, Tuan Nguyen, and VVNH. Sponsors include O'Reilly Radar, Axios Law Group, Massage Freek, Veri-Trademark, Ontela, and The Seattle Networking Guide. The schedule and a complete list of speakers and sponsors is available online at http://www.seattlebizjam.com.
More information can also be found by visiting Biznik's website at http://biznik.com.
About Biznik
Pioneering a novel approach to networking, Biznik enables independent business professionals across various industries to connect with each other, both online and via face-to-face networking and educational events. Since its inception in 2005, the Seattle-based social network has supported the local "indie" community with 200 member-hosted events (and counting), passed over 1,000 web-based business referrals, and has expanded to more than 3,200 members in 65 countries strictly by word-of-mouth. Biznik's robust, patent-pending Web 2.0 platform provides a powerful tool for building and maintaining relationships. Visit www.biznik.com for business networking that doesn't suck.
Press Contact:
Robert Nachbar, Kismet Communications, 206-427-0389
Press Kit: http://biznik.com/press/biznik_press_kit.pdf (PDF, 1 MB)
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