Small business networking offers the opportunity to personalize your business image. A small business networking website is an extremely popular business strategy. Entrepreneurs can build an online reputation and locate events to attend and cultivate valuable contacts. Beyond your website, blog or retail store, networking websites can create product interest, collaboration among businesses and increase sales. Share your ideas with other business professionals and establish yourself as an expert in your industry with small business networking.

Video networking businesses create “word-of-mouth” interest in their products or services as users have the flexibility to email videos and add video content directly to the website. An effective way to advertise new services, special deals or gather feedback on existing services is to send group messages to members in your network. A small business networking vendor aids in the option to gather data and related demographic information to target contacts for advertising and marketing campaigns. Consider the following benefits:

1. Strategically market your small business networking websites to increase sales.

2. Advertise business products and services with video social networking sites.

3. Create company profiles to use for industry-specific small business networking list.

4. Show your business accomplishments and get expert advice vital to boosting your standing on a small business networking list.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Promote business interest through small business networking

Social networking sites offer inexpensive methods of advertising for small businesses. Look for sites that cater specifically to businesses interest. Gain new customers, find business referrals and collaborate with other small business professionals.

I recommend: Biznik allows access to more than a 150 industries with LinkedIn. Small business networking website Ryze offers the option post events and connect to companies by industry or location. Leading social networking site Facebook offers a range of business products to create targeted advertisements and surveys.

Boost your profile utilizing small business networking

Many businesses are boosting their company profile with social networking sites as a marketing strategy. The key to successful marketing however, is attracting new customers and encouraging loyalty to your small business. As well as connecting with other small business leaders for advice, support and suggestions.

I recommend: Take the free quiz from Networking Quotient to see what business skills you need to navigate through social networking sites. Get advice on marketing your business through social networking sites with the podcast from Lexblog. The Small Business Guru social media podcast offers advice on driving traffic to your website through social networking.

Use video small business networking to gain exposure

Upload training videos, speeches, local commercials or interviews featuring your business to gain attention. To set your business apart consider viral marketing campaigns. They use creativity, humor and customized videos to create an emotional response and prompt video sharing.

I recommend: Contact Viral Buzz for a free consultation on how viral marketing could affect your business. Advertise your business products or services by uploading to Google Video. Create a channel for your small business and post videos on YouTube.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Understand your business demographics before advertising with small business networking. For example, Myspace offers access to millions of potential business contacts and customers but is geared more toward youth and the entertainment industry.
• •  Don't forget about niche small business networking. Vendor sites are a useful resource for catering to specific industries, women or minorities that can help make long-lasting business relationships.
• •  Increase exposure to your business videos with the small business networking web. Site functions allow viewers to share videos and include links to their business websites.