29 Business Networking Sites You'll Need to Grow Your Business

In case you’re growing bored of the “big three” social networks (Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn), take comfort in knowing that there are plenty of other networking sites that can help you and your business succeed. 

While the big three are indeed important, it’s sometimes more refreshing to enter uncharted territory and find fellow entrepreneurs, and even widen your prospect or audience net.

If you’re a freelancer or entrepreneur hungry for more clients or more knowledge (or both), print this list out and visit these business network sites. They're the success boost you’re looking for.

Got Strangers in Your LinkedIn Network? Here’s the Simplest Way to Leverage Those Connections

Have you ever accepted LinkedIn invites from total strangers based on mutual connections (2nd or 3rd degree)? Do you have an “all invites accepted” policy, perhaps?

Well here’s a high five to you for your entrepreneurial spirit. (Seriously. My hand’s up.)

However, what do you do with all those extra connections once you have them? Do they just sit and stagnate on your Connections list? Do they stay strangers?

If you’re guilty of that sin (raises hand), I present you with the easiest solution ever. You may smack your forehead for this, it’s so uncomplicated.

The Benefits of Buffer Entrepreneurs Are Missing Out On [Slideshow]

Have you been seeing these little guys (left and below right) around on people's blogs lately and wondering what in the world they are? 

Well, let the Geek introduce you. Awesome person, this is Buffer. Buffer, meet awesome person.

What you're looking at is the new crown jewel of Twitter's over 1 million apps. 

Buffer (aka BufferApp) is a social sharing scheduling tool that posts the content you want to share with your audience for you at different times throughout the day based on Twitter's peak times. 

You input the times you want the posts to be sent out, and Buffer obediently posts them at those times.  

According to social media blogger Kristi Hines (aka Kikolani)'s analysis, the app includes analytics about each tweet (including number of clicks, potential retweets, retweets, and number of favorites).

Entertainment entrepreneurs can't afford not to use this thing. In my opinion, it's actually a more imperative social media marketing tool for 'treps to jump on than even Pinterest.

Where do I find the temerity to make a statement like that?

The answer is in the slideshow.

Go on, get to know Buffer a little better.

Marketing Expert Danny Iny's Engagement Book Shows You 10 Effective Steps to Building Your Audience

Everyone’s looking to be heard, and almost the same amount of people offer a way to help you do it – through books/ebooks, free reports, blogs, webinars, videos, and so on.

Here’s the rub: most of them are saying the same thing. 

Marketing Consultant and super-blogger Danny Iny’s recent release Engagement From Scratch: How Super-Community Builders Create a Loyal Audience and How You Can Do the Same! patently proves this.

The book is a compendium of how-to articles and essays from all the top-tier bloggers and entrepreneurs on the Internet right now on how to build a loyal community around your brand, blog, or service, including:

·      Brian Clark (founder, Copyblogger.com)

·      Danny Brown (founder, For Bloggers By Bloggers)

·      Guy Kawasaki (founder, Alltop.com)

·     Mark Schaefer (marketing consultant and founder, BusinessesGrow.com)

·      Sean Platt (freelance writer, prolific author, ghostwriter, and founder, TheDigitalWriter.net)

·      Corbett Barr (founder, ExpertEnough.com and ThinkTraffic.net) 

·      Derek Halpern (founder, DIYThemes.com)

And though their individual experiences differ, their basic framework for success is the same.

Note: this book targets writers, but these laws apply to any business and marketing strategy, so don’t feel alienated if you’re not a writer.

It took me a couple days to read the 234-page guide (not counting the first four pages of praise), so before you bounce between sites and blogs, I’ll give you the pros’ basic framework for success right here…in half the time.

Get Noticed! Dark Elf Films Founder Valensky Sylvain Shares 4 Key Steps to Building Buzz for Your Business

Having trouble getting noticed? Need more views and publicity?

Check your buzz.

In today’s tough economy, it’s more important than ever to stand out, and the only way to do that is to stir the pot.

Sound daunting? No worries. Actor-turned-local entertainment favorite Valensky Sylvain schooled the Geek on how to make it happen.

Who?

Sylvain is the founder of Orlando-based indie production company Dark Elf Films, and hails from Brooklyn (like James Hunter – whom he now works with on a regular basis), and has been a theater actor since age five.

His experience has taken him through New York, Florida, England, and even South Africa.

“Anytime I’m acting or creating, I’m   having a blast.”

- Valensky Sylvain

Entertainment Lawyer Cassi Willard Shares 6 Key Tips for Optimizing Creativity and Business

In case you’re wondering if you’ve heard or read these tips before, you probably have. The crux here is who they’re coming from.

An entertainment lawyer.

Cassandra E.Willard, Esq., known by her students and colleagues as Cassi, shoulders years of experience in intellectual property (IP) law; cyber law; hospitality law; and entertainment, art and sports law (EASL).

In fact, she’s the current Chair-Elect (read: VP) of the EASL Section of the Florida Bar.

Translation: expert.

I had the honor of receiving Willard’s instruction in her Advanced Entertainment Law (AEL) course while completing my Entertainment Business, M.S. degree at Full Sail University, so I recently met with her to learn her success tips.

And she was happy to chat.