What sites do people use to network online

[kodajo]

I am interested in hearing what other sites (apart from UKBF) everyone uses to network with other businesses online.

I realise that facebook is good for connecting with consumers but what about connecting with existing business customers and finding new ones?

Facebook/Twitter have revolutionised social interaction online as demonstrated by the latest stats on http://thesocialskinny.com/100-more-social-media-statistics-for-2012/ but there doesn't seem to have been a similar online revolution for business to business contact yet.

 

[Kevin H]

I imagine the big one to be mentioned would be linked in.

 

[kodajo]

Yes probably should have mentioned that in my original post although I'm never sure how good it is for small businesses to network

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

Experimenting with LinkedIn to find new business and I'm using Twitter to keep in constant contact with my existing clients.

I also try to make new connections on here and on 4N which seems to work ok for me (I know others will say different). But I think the key is finding the combination that works for you and you find easy to use. (If its not easy for you to use and if it doesnt work for you it becomes a chore and your less likely to keep it up)

 

[SafeClean]

Linked In is for me useless, If you start adding people you do not know you get flagged and blocked from adding any more people. It needs to be slightly more open to be effective as a networking website to find new business - in my opinion.

 

[kodajo]

Yes I've heard mixed reviews about LinkedIn. I find it quite difficult to use actually (and I would say I am quite good on computers) but maybe I need to work at it more!?!

What I am also interested in is how LinkedIn is useful for small businesses with just 1 or 2 employees in that the profile you can put on can't contain that much information about what your business actually does, what it sells or the services it provides?