[Hidden-tech] biznik

[Adam Connor]

I'd like to tell you all about my experience with Biznik.  I originally 
signed up not long after they started and but have since left the network.

At the time there were far less members in MA than now ( I think I was 
one of 12) and possibly the only person this side of Worcester.

First impressions were great, the website itself was a breeze, and I 
enjoyed the idea of being able to promote my business to a ton of people 
who then might be able to refer me.

I began to try to figure out how best to get my name out there and meet 
other members.  Well, that didn't work so well.  While Biznik has a 
great online presence, the main benefit to its members is still the 
human interaction aspect of networking, which calls for events, which 
never seem to be anywhere around here. If you look, their site even 
talks about how they are an "event driven" organization, and further 
analysis shows that the bulk of those events take place in Washington 
and other places far from driving distance of Western Mass.

So after about 8 months without a single referral, and without having 
truly met anyone else in the network, and I tried. I left the network 
and had them take down my name.

Let me say this.  those of you discovering Biznik - give it a try, just 
remember the importance of human interaction not just to Biznik, but to 
networking in general.  Who knows, maybe if enough of you get together 
you can start throwing Biznik events.

As for HT, I agree that although the website could use some updating, we 
need some definition as to what the group is and will be.

-adam
Little Green Toaster
www.littlegreentoaster.com

P.S. - Since then I've joined a local BNI chapter and LinkedIn, both 
have been great and helped me expand my business.

Jeff Rutherford wrote:
>    ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>    ** You too can help the group
>    ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> On first glance, Biznik looks very cool.
>
> I would recommend that Hidden Techers also join Linked In and invite each
> other to their respective networks. If anyone is currently on Linked In and
> would like to send me an invite, feel free.
>
> Linked In can be useful for referrals and business leads.
>
> Jeff
>
> ------------------------------------
> Jeff Rutherford Media Relations, LLC
> Jeff Rutherford
> jeff at jeffrutherford.com
> 50 Delabarre Avenue
> Conway, MA 01341
> tel: 413 369 4128
> fax: 909 752 4363
> mobile: 413 475 0087
> AIM: JeffreyRutherfrd
> Skype ID:JeffRutherford
> ------------------------------------
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
> [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Chris
> Duncan, GISmatters
> Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 1:06 PM
> To: 'Hidden Tech Discussion List'
> Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] biznik
>
>    ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>    ** You too can help the group
>    ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> Just to echo and amplify what I think (IMHO) are the key points from this 
> thread:
>
> * defining/imagining/planning HT as an organization needs to PRECEDE 
> revising/replacing its web design
>
> * the one thing I'd say there's consensus on is the need to reach consensus 
> (or at least agreement) on which of many possible things HT is going to be
>
> * it's good to know that I'm not alone in my sense that it's not always 
> clear what the opportunities are for shaping HT - I hope the upcoming 
> "introspection" is well organized and well advertised to get maximum input
>
> I'll just add that some of the mentioned possibilities for HT would greatly 
> lessen its value to me and my contributions to it (admittedly minimal to 
> date).  Since I have found a number of great benefits to my involvement 
> with HT (and believe that in small ways I've also been of benefit to HT or 
> some of its members), I am very interested in being involved in any 
> discussions of future directions to try to preserve and enhance what I 
> think are its most important and unique qualities, so I hope that such 
> opportunities are substantive and inclusive.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris
>
>