DISQUS

Lara Feltin · 2 months ago

@lyceum1776 Great question! Xing.com and BNI are two very different models. At the root of it, the difference in Biznik is in how we define "business networking." BNI is a leads marketing group. Their motto is "lock out the competition;" their membership is formed into chapters with a finite number of people; their meetings follow a very strict agenda; the purpose of membership is to pass referrals.

One of Biznik's mottos is: "collaboration beats competition;" Bizniks meet locally but are not restricted to chapters; our meetings are created by members so you can decide how and when you want to network; and the purpose of membership in Biznik is to build relationships, strengthen your reputation, and invest in social capital. Referrals (along with resources, ideas & inspiration, opportunities to collaborate, moral support, and new marketing tips) get passed between Bizniks after they've gotten to know one another. You can meet online and strengthen the relationship face-to-face; or you can meet face-to-face and return to the site to strengthen the relationship online.

The same applies to Xing and LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great place for corporate alumni and those working with large companies. When you're a micro business, a solopreneur, or a company of one or two, a large obstacle is overcoming isolation and invisibility. Biznik was designed to meet that need by facilitating a community based on strengthening the relationships between members.

lyceum1776 · 2 months ago

Lara: Thank for your reply. I am interesting in learning more about Biznik. How could I contact you? Have you studied the The Third Place concept? Have you attended MeetUp activities?

Lara Feltin · 2 months ago

I can be reached at info(at)biznik.com. I haven't studied the concept of The Third Place, but was intrigued by what Wikipedia said about it. Definitely jives with Biznik, as a community.

An impetus for founding Biznik was the frustration I felt as an independent photographer. My friends with day jobs couldn't relate my passion or my questions. I wanted a place where I could meet with like-minded business folks.

Biznik is like MeetUp.com in that Biznik events are created by members, and there's a cross-over between meeting online and face-to-face. But Biznik takes it further in two ways. MeetUp is a place where people meet for a wide range of interests from dog walkers, to those who want to play Dungeons & Dragons, whereas Biznik is all about "indie" business and everyone you meet on Biznik is going to be into indie business. But more importantly, a MeetUp is limited to the number of people who joined that group, usually limited by geographic location. On Biznik, you may physically meet with the same 200 "Bizniks" in your area, but you're a part of the bigger Biznik community world-wide where there are no geographic boundaries.

When Biznik grows in your area, you'll have an even larger pool of people you'll see at the events. There's 15,000 Bizniks in the Seattle area. There's certainly a bunch of regulars that I see at a lot of events, but I enjoy all the different people I keep meeting - sometimes over cocktails, sometimes at an educational seminar.

lyceum1776 · 2 months ago

John: How would you compare and contrast Biznik with other social business networks like Xing (openBC) and BNI (Business Network International)?

BT · 2 months ago

I think this is a great idea! I feel the same way about small businesses trying to use social media in the wrong way. I admire the enthusiasm of small business owners trying to get their product or service out there, but it seems like much of the time used on social media is more or less wasted compared to other ways of marketing. Hopefully Biznik's model will be well-received by SBOs and consumers.