What is Professional Networking Sites?

Social networks connect people at low cost; this can be beneficial for entrepreneurs
and small
businesses looking to expand their contact bases. These networks often act
as a customer relationship management tool for companies selling products and
services. Companies can also use social networks for advertising in the form
of banners and text ads. Since businesses operate globally, social networks can
make it easier to keep in touch with contacts around the world. One example of
social networking being used for business purposes is LinkedIn.com,
which aims to interconnect professionals. LinkedIn has over 40 million users
in over 200 countries (source: Latest LinkedIn Facts)

Professional Networking Sites

Sign up with these online networking communities as a company or as an individual
to take advantage of recruiting opportunities, cross-promotional events and more.

1. LinkedIn:
   LinkedIn is a popular networking site where alumni, business associates,
   recent graduates and other professionals connect online.
2. Ecademy:
   Ecademy prides itself on “connecting business people” through its
   online network, blog and message-board chats, as well as its premier BlackStar
   membership program, which awards exclusive benefits.
3. Focus:
   Focus is a business destination where business professionals can help each
   other with their purchase and other business decisions by accessing research
   and peer expertise. Most importantly, Focus provides open, quality information
   for all businesses that is freely available, easily accessible, and community
   powered.
4. YorZ:
   This networking site doubles as a job site. Members can post openings for
   free to attract quality candidates.
5. Xing:
   An account with networking site Xing can “open doors to thousands of
   companies.” Use the professional contact manager to organize your new
   friends and colleagues, and take advantage of the Business Accelerator application
   to “find experts at the click of a button, market yourself in a professional
   context [and] open up new sales channels.”
6. Facebook:
   Facebook is no longer just for college kids who want to post their party
   pics. Businesses vie for advertising opportunities, event promotion and more
   on this social-networking site.
7. Care2:
   Care2 isn’t just a networking community for professionals: It’s touted as “the
   global network for organizations and people who Care2 make a difference.” If
   your business is making efforts to go green, let others know by becoming
   a presence on this site.
8. Gather:
   This networking community is made up of members who think. Browse categories
   concerning books, health, money, news and more to ignite discussions on politics,
   business and entertainment. This will help your company tap into its target
   audience and find out what they want.
9. MEETin.org: Once
   you’ve acquired a group of contacts in your city by networking on MEETin.org,
   organize an event so that you can meet face-to-face.
10. Tribe:
    Cities like Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, New York and Chicago have
    unique online communities on tribe. Users can search for favorite restaurants,
    events, clubs and more.
11. Ziggs:
    Ziggs is “organizing and connecting people in a professional way.” Join
    groups and make contacts through your Ziggs account to increase your company’s
    presence online and further your own personal career.
12. Plaxo: Join Plaxo
    to organize your contacts and stay updated with feeds from Digg, Amazon.com,
    del.icio.us and more.
13. NetParty:
    If you want to attract young professionals in cities like Boston, Dallas,
    Phoenix, Las Vegas and Orlando Fla., create an account with the networking
    site NetParty. You’ll be able to connect with qualified, up-and-coming professionals
    online, then meet them at a real-life happy-hour event where you can pass
    out business cards, pitch new job openings and more.
14. Networking For Professionals: Networking For Professionals is another
    online community that combines the Internet with special events in the
    real world. Post photos, videos, résumés and clips on your online profile
    while you meet new business contacts.

Niche Social-Media Sites

Consider linking up with one of these social-media sites to narrow down your
business’s target audience. You’ll find other professionals, enthusiasts and
consumers who are most likely already interested in what your company has to
offer.

1. Pixel
   Groovy: Web workers will love Pixel Groovy, an open-source
   site that lets members submit and rate tutorials for Web 2.0, email and
   online-marketing issues.
2. Mixx:
   Mixx prides itself on being “your link to the Web content that really
   matters.” Submit and rate stories, photos and news to drive traffic
   to your own site. You’ll also meet others with similar interests.
3. Tweako:
   Gadget-minded computer geeks can network with each other on Tweako, a site
   that promotes information sharing for the technologically savvy.
4. Small Business
   Brief: When members post entrepreneur-related articles,
   a photo and a link to their profile appear, gaining you valuable exposure
   and legitimacy online.
5. Sphinn:
   Sphinn is an online forum and networking site for the Internet marketing
   crowd. Upload articles and guides from your blog to create interest in your
   own company or connect with other professionals for form new contacts.
6. BuzzFlash.net:
   This one-stop news resource is great for businesses that want to contribute
   articles on a variety of subjects, from the environment to politics to health.
7. HubSpot:
   HubSpot is another news site aimed at connecting business professionals.
8. SEO
   TAGG: Stay on top of news from the Web marketing and SEO
   (search-engine optimization) industries by becoming an active member
   of this online community.

General Social Media Sites

The following social-media sites provide excellent opportunities for businesses
to advertise; promote specials, events or services; and feature published, knowledgeable
employees.

1. Wikipedia:
   Besides creating your own business reference page on Wikipedia, you can connect
   with other users on Wikipedia’s Community Portal and at the village pump,
   where you’ll find conscientious professionals enthusiastic about news, business,
   research and more.
2. Newsvine:
   Feature top employees by uploading their articles, studies or other news-related
   items to this site. A free account will also get you your own column and
   access to the Newsvine community.
3. 43 Things: This site bills itself as “the world’s most
   popular online goal setting community.” By publicizing your company’s
   goals and ambitions, you’ll gain a following of customers, investors
   and promoters who cheer you on as you achieve success.
4. Wetpaint:
   If you’re tired of blogs and generic Web sites, create your own wiki with
   Wetpaint to reach your audience and increase your company’s presence online.
   You can easily organize articles, contact information, photos and other information
   to promote your business.
5. Twitter:
   Is a social networking and micro blogging service that allows you answer the
   question, “What are you doing?” by sending short text messages
   140 characters in length, called “tweets”, to your friends, or “followers.”
6. Yahoo!
   Answers: Start fielding Yahoo! users’ questions with this
   social-media Q&A service. Search for questions in your particular
   areas of expertise by clicking categories like Business & Finance,
   Health, News & Events and more. If you continue to dole out useful
   advice and link your answer to your company’s Web page, you’ll quickly
   gain a new following of curious customers.

Credits: www.insidecrm.com, www.wikipedia.com, http://ceoworld.biz http://www.youneeditall.com, http://www.webredesingpro.comp
B2B Social Media Websites Integrations

External Blog RSS URL: http://infotechusa.wordpress.com
Twitter Account URL: http://twitter.com/infotechusa
Facebook Account URL: http://facebook.com/infotechusa
LinkedIn Account URL: http://www.linkedin.com/in/webdesignerny
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/1webmaker
For more information about social media networking, SEO tips, tricks, social media good practice, online tools, how to market your site and if you are looking for web site design and development agency visit New York Web Design Agency Website

HOW TO: Manage Multiple Social Media Profiles

HOW TO: Manage Multiple Social Media Profiles

Everyone talks about social media marketing, and how businesses must be on Twitter and Facebook to succeed. Understand your Current Position

The first step is to exactly know where you have a social media profile and where you do not. Start by checking with Check User Names, which will search dozens of popular social media websites to see if your username is active. Check any you normally use. If any don’t ring any bells, see if it’s yours or if somebody already owns.

Tip: Always keep note of other people using your most common username. Making sure people don’t confuse you for somebody else is important for friends and potential employers alike.

Choose Your Platforms Realistically

People may disagree with me, but I believe you should sign up for the most popular social networks regardless of whether you are going to use them all. This prevents someone else being mistaken for you and protects an account that you may want to use later.

This doesn’t mean you should be active on all of these services. Take a long, hard look at all of the services available and your time constraints and choose the ones that pique your interest the most. Keep some focus when choosing platforms. For the rest, place a note on your profile with contact information and links to your favorite social profiles.

This roundtable of experts gives advice on what works — and doesn’t — for small businesses, non-profits and big companies in the social media space.

Organize!

This is the most important step! Don’t be satisfied with a disarray of bookmarks and email notifications. Organize a bookmarks folder or two for the social media services you are using. Filter your email so that all of your notifications fall into their own inbox/label. Schedule time to log into these accounts and make sure they are in order.

Tip: The most important thing to remember is to find a system and stick to it. These are the profiles that need your attention consistently; keep them free of spam and outdated information…

DID YOU KNOW?

Read more here:http://mashable.com/2009/03/07/manage-multiple-profiles/