Review and opinions about business and social networking sites

Social networking services has become the latest hot thing to have and participate within the last couple of years.

Here's a list of sites and services I have used the last 2-4 years with mixed results.

LinkedIn

The first site I started using was LinkedIn. LinkedIn started as a networking site where you could only become a member by being invited by somebody already a member. LinkedIn started growing quickly in 2004, becoming one thing on the net you had to be a member of. LinkedIn has evolved, adding more web 2.0 type services, become open and has more than 17M users.

LinkedIn is based on the concept of how many degrees away you are from a person. People you are connected with are your 1st degree of contacts. You can get introduced to others through your network or become a premium subscriber and (depending on your subscription level) get access directly to people not in your network. LinkedIn also allows you to create groups and join groups others create. LinkedIn has a job search and listing service for those of you looking for a new job. Many listings are also unique.

LinkedIn has some restrictions by default, no blind mass introductions using find colleagues or mass introductions resulting in a high percentage of refusals. You are also allowed max 3000 invitations to be sent out. After that you have to ask for more, 300-500 at a time.

Check it out if you are not a user, http://www.lidforss.com/in/tlidforss (my public profile) and send me an invitation.

Facebook

This was a service started by university students to keep in touch with friends. Facebook is a lot more of a social networking site than LinkedIn. Facebook also publishes an application developer API allowing 3rd party applications to work as plug-ins on Facebook. This has resulted in scores of applications available for almost any service. This is both good and bad, you have to be careful about not accepting too many applications, if you do, you will get bombarded with messages and notification requests. The good thing, YOU CAN LEAVE and REMOVE your appllicatios. The same goes for groups. Facebook is a good site when you want to experiment and try new services. Facebook has a restriction for max 5000 users.

Facebook has nowadays more than 60M users.

Connect with me and send a friend request to tlidforss at yahoo.com and check out my profile;

http://www.facebook.com/people/Thomas_Lidforss/511158599

Ecademy

Ecademy is a boutique style UK based site that has worked as an "exclusive club". Ecademy is the oldest networking site, celebrating its 10th year of operation now. Ecademy has a lot of quality contacts, with clubs, local (geograpically speaking) clubs, news, blogs, marketplace. Ecademy is very interntional, the only restriction being English language only on the site. For people who are used to US based sites, I can recommend Ecademy as an excellent English speaking alternative. Try it out, you have nothing to loose, view my profile to see what kind of infomation Ecademy provides;

Ecademy has 300K+ users.

http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=60379&xref=60379

Plaxo (Pulse)

Plaxo is for most people known as the MS Outlook contact and address book synchrinization service. Plaxo started a very web 2.0 developed service more than one year ago, allowing networking, with RSS feeds, groups and sharing of info. Plaxo Pulse has a very simple and easy to use interface. Unfortunately, Plaxo only allows 1000 connections, then you get a stupid message, you have more than 1000 connections, please delete some so you can connect!!!

So, my question is how do I know which connection to delete just so I can accept a new one? Right now I have probably about 100+ connection request I cannot even reply to. Another restriction is also, max 10k contacts in your address book, after that synchronization stops and Plaxo effectively quits working, so I have not used it a lot lately, even though I still like their services.

Plaxo has 10M+ users.

Spock

Spock is a relatively new site. Spock has based their services on the concept of "tags". You build up a list of tags for yourself and people you connect with. Your connections can also add tags on your profile. Spock has a fast and easy to use userinterface. Try it out; see Spock profile info:

www.spock.com/Thomas-Lidforss-Ik2sF1EW

Spoke

Spoke is a US site that very much looks like the European Viadeo and Xing. I have not used Spoke that much but they have more than 30M users.

See http://center.spoke.com/profiles/ThomasLidforss to view profile data information.

Ryze

Ryze is another US site that has been around the last 5 years. I have not used it very much but if you would like to view type of information in a profile, see

http://www.ryze.com/go/mpnow1

MySpace

Myspace is the world no. 1 site for social networking. Unfortunately you can eaily get too much junk request and info. Very social site though. I use mainly because of relatives of mine.

Myspace has more than 230M users.

See, http://www.myspace.com/tlidforss for profile data sample.

Xing

Xing started using the name OpenBC and changed to Xing. Xing is a German company but with a very interntional approach allowing you to have and choose between different languages. I personally like Xing, very good search functions, matching functions for your haves and wants in your profile. Suggestions on people and business opportunities you should look up based on your profile. Xing is also as a premium user cheaper than most sites, about 6 Euro/month.

See, http://www.xing.com/go/invite/3233530.693c4a for profile data sample.

Viadeo

Viadeo is a French based company to some extent like Xing. Very international with multiple languages and profile languages.

See, http://www.viadeo.com/en/profile/thomas.lidforss for profile data sample.

Doostang

Doostang is a career and job oriented US site where you have to get invited to become a user. See http://www.doostang.com/ for a look.

Naymz

Naymz is a relatively new site building up your network based on a "trust" concept. Once you reach trust level 9, you get power features search wise and Google submissios. One good thing, Naymz sponsor links on Google and cross references your blog, homesite and linkedin profile page which improves your visibility on Google.

See, http://thomas.lidforss.name/ or search directory using

www.naymz.com/directory/thomas+lidforss

GoBigNetwork

GoBigNetwork - This is a network focusing on networking among business people interested in growing their businesses, start one or work for one, little activity though, don't really know
if a lot of people are using this site see, www.gobignetwork.com/profiles/Thomas-Lidforss.aspx

CollectiveX

CollectiveX - semi-active user, this is a site where all sites are open for open networkers. CollectiveX allows you to create or join groups.See, http://www.collectivex.com/

TheMetaNetwork

TheMetaNetwork - this is a site organized by Christian Mayaud in the New York area. Christian is number 2 in the world on LinkedIn, got mad at LinkedIn restrictions and started his own networking site; http://www.themetanetwork.com/

You can register, join the LinkedIn group LIONS and update your "The Lions' Lair" status. You will be listed on the LION's excelfile list over members and your willingness to be more or
less a fully open networker. This is one of the most used services from TheMetaNetwork site.

Ning

Ning - This is the site where you can so far for free create your own networking site, open or closed depending on what you want to do including creating groups for your networking site. I
am an active user in a couple of ning sites just to experiement and see if I would like to create my own site with this service. See one example,

http://pmbcom.ning.com/profile/ThomasLidforss

Konnects

Konnects is a new site with an intersting concept for matching leads based on your profile, creating and managing groups and communities.

See, http://www.konnects.com/profile/mpnow1

ZoomInfo

ZoomInfo is a reverse personal and business networking site. ZoomInfo builds your profile based on public internet site information, you can claim your profile by updating or correcting the information Zoominfo has put together.

See, www.zoominfo.com/people/Lidforss_Thomas_200383525.aspx

Biztribe

Biztribe is like a European version of Ryze with networking and job information. I have not used it very much so I have for the time being no further comments.

Jobster

Jobster is a career oriented website like Doostang but open. You get pretty good matches (based on skills matching and skills keywords you choose)for your profile plus you can network with others.

See, http://www.jobster.com/people/tlidforss

Friendster

Friendster is a mix of Myspace and Facebook, have not played with it much and I am no longer a user.

I will add a new post and come back with comments about SiliconIndia, WirelessFactors, PartnerUp and HireAbility and Vasutown (both for people who actively network for recruiter job purposes).

regards,

/Thomas

Meet Jay Conrad Levinson at the May Marketing Event in the Nice, France area

Dear Blogreader,

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You will get the following Bonuses with your registration:

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That's $847 in Guerrilla Marketing resources absolutely free!

The event has been scheduled for May 24 & 25, 2008 but please do not make any travel arrangements until you have received an email confirming the event; you will receive an email from the event organizer at least 30 days before the event to ensure you get the best rate when you book your trip to Nice International Airport, France.

In case of any questions related to the organization of this event, feel free to contact Christophe Poizat, the event organizer at: chris at christophepoizat.com or call him direct on +33 977 903 249 (GMT+1) -- you can also contact Amy Levinson, VP of Guerrilla Marketing International at olympiagal at aol.com

I look forward to seeing you at "The Most Prestigious Marketing Event of 2008" with Jay Conrad Levinson, the Father of Guerrilla Marketing, on the French Riviera!

Sincerely,

Thomas

tlidforss at yahoo.com
http://www.lidforss.com

PS: Click here to view all the details and secure your participation at this exceptional event; "as a blogreader, you are entitled to a 10% discount, just enter "xgmcp996" when ordering!

PPS: Testimonials for Jay Conrad Levinson

“Jay is one of the foremost business marketing experts in the world. No one knows how to use the weapons of the trade better than industry expert Jay Levinson." -- Entrepreneur magazine

“Your speech at Entrepreneur’s Day was great! What a good way to kick-off this conference with such a strong emphasis on marketing. Guerrilla marketing is just what these entrepreneurs need to understand. Your style and delivery was excellent and I heard many young entrepreneurs talk about the impact it made.” -- John R. Thorne, Chairman, Carnegie Mellon

“The right person at the right time at the right place – that was you as guest speaker at the U.S. Small Business Administration/Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Luncheon. Everyone who attended was thrilled with your presentation. I understand that the L.A. Chamber is still taking orders for your books and tapes.” -- Patty DeDominic, Chief Executive Officer

"Jay Conrad Levinson had coffee with me in 1983 and it changed my life forever. Jay has forgotten more about effective marketing techniques than most of us will ever know. He's the man." -- Seth Godin, best-selling author of Permission Marketing and Unleashing the Ideavirus.

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Sweden Networking Group "Meet and Greet" Mixer

Meet me at the first "meet and greet" mixer organized by the LinkedIn group, Sweden Networking Group on April 10, 18.00-20.30 (6-8.30 pm) at Spegelmatsalen, Berns Salonger (one floor up from the main bar). The address is; Berns Salonger, Berzeli Park, SE-103 25 Stockholm, Sweden

RSVP needed, contact Lisa Sculati for information about this LinkedIn group and activities around it.

See http://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasculati or lisa.sculati at yahoo.com

Contact me, Thomas Lidforss to setup an appointment +4673-701-3465

Location and Berns Salonger Information:

View Larger Map

Turbo 3G vs. Wireless Internet Anywhere in USA

It is interesting to see how aggressively various "Turbo 3G" modem for latop users are being promoted in Europe. Every wireless operating company is marketing their new 7.2MBits/s wireless internet anywhere service. Pricing is about $29/month, free modem if you agree to a 12 month service.

Compare this with (still poor coverage) and 1.5-2MBits/s service from US wireless service providers at a $50-$60/month price (if you already have cell phone service with the company in question). AT&T and T-Mobile have a potential advantage using the international 3G WCDMA standard by being able to "piggy-back" on the volume production and competition internationally.

Also worth noticing is that the Chinese company Huawei has captured a big market for "Turbo 3G" modems in Northern Europe.

On the Fixed Internet access side, you can get +24MBits/s internet access for $39/month. It is about time for internet services in USA to catch up with the rest of the world.

/Thomas

US-EU-ME/Asia Business Opportunities

With the event of booming economies in South Eastern Asia and the new EU countries in Eastern Europe, I have started on a journey to work out of Europe to promote a "Virtual Silicon Valley Worlds" business concept.

There are many "Silicon Valley like" areas in the world nowdays. The existence of internet technology support, using voice/video communications in addition to business and social networking, sharing of information, creating joint business projects is getting easier and easier.

Interested parties, please contact me at http://www.lidforss.com/

Ecademy is one example of a well established business organization within EU. Ecademy celebrates its 10th year of operations. I encourage you to join me on Ecademy. Click on picture/link below to find out more.

http://www.ecademy.com/?xref=60379

There are also a number of interesting business clubs operating on Ecademy. Two examples are Scandinavian Vikings Business and Social Club and Global Capital Access Club. You can join any club once you are a member of Ecademy. I also encourage you to consider signing up for PowerNetworker membership if you like what you see. It is well worth it.

Regards, Thomas