www.PartnerUp.com - Small Business Community
 
346

Hilary Cable posted a new Questions About PartnerUp thread on 4/12/2011

PartnerUp needs your help: Which makes more sense?

We're in the process of redesigning the PartnerUp site and need your input. If you were new to PartnerUp, which of these does a better job of describing what we do here, and, more important, what YOU can do here?

"The community for small business"

or

"The social network for small business"

Vote here http://www.99polls.com/poll_65527:1 or post a response below.

Thanks very much for your feedback!
1
 
PartnerUp! Share This
Mark As Favorite
Mark As Spam Reply!
 
 
Sort Responses by : | |
16

Paula Rosenthal Responded on 4/12/2011


When I think of social network, I think more along the lines of Facebook, Twitter, etc. I think the tagline should be "The comprehensive community for small business" or "The community to grow your small business" - just a bit more descriptive yet still succinct.

Paula Rosenthal
Howard Rosenthal Photography
"We're not your traditional photo studio, we're better!"
3
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This
 

Thank you, Paula! Who's next? - Hilary Cable 346 on 4/12/2011

 
Add Comment
 
 
16

Allen S Responded on 4/12/2011


The Community for Small Business says it all. You don't need extraneous words like "comprehensive".. But I agree w/ Paula on what thoughts come to mind with the words "social network". You don't need to define that the network is online (or social - ESPECIALLY social). It's a community, a business community, THAT is what's important.

Allen Craig Schlossman
3
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
31

Targeting Keywords Responded on 4/13/2011


Partner up is not only a social networking site where you gain online friends, you also gain knowledge, based from other entrepreneurs' experience. You can also share your thoughts and online marketing tips which is very much conducive to other business newbies. You can probably add ' social network for entrepreneurs'
2
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
26

Khalifa Jubril Responded on 4/14/2011


I say streamline the business partner and opportunities search process like the old website. I want to be able to search for opportunities with a drop down menu type of search, not typing keywords.
4
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This
 

So... when you say you'd like the drop-down menu to return, do you mean the opportunities should be sorted by the six criteria members choose from when posting opportunities (cofounder or partner, board member, advisor or mentor, employee, consultant or franchise) or did you want to see some other criteria? I appreciate all feedback! Please keep it coming. - Hilary Cable 346 on 4/18/2011

 
Add Comment
 
 
51

Karen Fischer Responded on 4/16/2011


I am not overly fond of the Business ShowCase layout. The description should have an editor (HTML) which allows breaks so it doesn't all run together. It also won't let you delete services/edit once you have added them, you can just add to them. I think there should also be the ability to tell a bit more about the service offering so that others understand what it is versus just tags along with the services looking for. That could even be a premium offer and may exist,

I am a small and start-up business consultant and advertise Partner UP on my website, you might want to create a logo and link much like other social network sites as would put it on my new site in social network area.

I think this is a wonderful site and have recommended it to several people.
2
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This
 

Thank you Karen. I can help you get the tagging issue fixed on your showcase. Tell me how you want the tags to read and our web developers can fix them for you. I agree that the Biz Showcase design needs to be overhauled, including tagging functionality. Thank you very much for referring your customers to PartnerUp! One of the things on my wish list is an assortment of widgets PartnerUp members can use on their websites that would feed conversation, opportunities and perhaps real estate listings (if we decide to keep them). Please keep the feedback coming. I know we have lots of work to do to make the site useful, but there's nothing more valuable than input from the people we serve. Thank you! - Hilary Cable 346 on 4/18/2011

 
 

Thank you Karen. I can help you get the tagging issue fixed on your showcase. Tell me how you want the tags to read and our web developers can fix them for you. I agree that the Biz Showcase design needs to be overhauled, including tagging functionality. Thank you very much for referring your customers to PartnerUp! One of the things on my wish list is an assortment of widgets PartnerUp members can use on their websites that would feed conversation, opportunities and perhaps real estate listings (if we decide to keep them). Please keep the feedback coming. I know we have lots of work to do to make the site useful, but there's nothing more valuable than input from the people we serve. Thank you! - Hilary Cable 346 on 4/18/2011

 
 

Hi Karen, I've edited the showcase to have line breaks where you put them. Thanks for the tip. http://www.partnerup.com/Biz/CA/ON/000013/RK-Fischer--26--Associates-Uxbridge-ON-L9P-1G6-CA/ - Riaz Missaghi 61 on 4/21/2011

 
Add Comment
 
 
41

Michael Lebb Responded on 4/16/2011


Is Community Network possible?

Just an idea.

Michael Lebb
2
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This
 

Hi Michael: Could you say more about that? Do you mean chat/instant messaging? - Hilary Cable 346 on 4/18/2011

 
Add Comment
 
 
41

Michael Lebb Responded on 4/16/2011


You have your hands full based on the response.

Whatever the outcome is Hilary, Good Luck getting there!

Michael Lebb
1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
346

Hilary Cable Responded on 4/18/2011


Thank you Michael and everyone! I want to hear your feedback, so please don't hesitate to contact me here in the forum, in a private message or by email: hilary dot cable at deluxe dot com.
1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
11

Patrice Brown Responded on 4/26/2011


"The community for small business"
1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
21

Robert Coats Responded on 6/26/2011


While PartnerUP is certainly a social network, I think that "The community for small business" is much more inviting to the majority of small business owners.

Many of the small business owners that I speak with are initially intimidated by social networking. "It's that computer stuff." Even though they regularly use Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family, when it comes to business, they are more apprehensive about it. Where as "Community for small business" is something that they can better relate to.

A "community" is something that most small business owners work in. A "community" is where they make friends and business associates. A "community" is where they are someone who is often respected and looked up to. A "community" is something they are already a part of and as such has an affinity for and can embrace much more because of that affinity.


1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
346

Hilary Cable Responded on 6/27/2011


Thanks Robert. I really appreciate your input. Please feel free to message me any time if you have ideas. I'd love to hear them. And yes, I agree. Business people are told by experts that they have to be experts in social media and it can sound quite intimidating. Personally I think it's simpler than that.
0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
6

Dr.Manuel Tejeda, Ph.D. Responded on 6/28/2011


Well, I think we´re talking here about two terms that are much related in our XXI Century world. According to Jeremiah Owyang, an ONLINE COMMUNITY is "a group of people with similar, common goals or interests that connect and exchange information using web tools", while Robert Barker in his "The Social work dictionary" describes SOCIAL NETWORKS as "individuals or groups linked by some common bond, shared social status, similar or shared functions or geographic or cultural connection…". In both cases we could be talking about Partner Up.

And Wikipedia even synonymies both concepts: "A virtual community is a social network of individuals who interact through specific media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals"…

I must agree with Robert Coats that some small business owners could be intimidated by "social networking" while "community" is more natural for them. However, we live in a world where SOCIAL NETWORKING is almost as basic as oxygen, and small business owners better get used to it, or at least we should help them to consider and to understand the opportunities and risks that social networking will present to their businesses.

At the same time, what should define Partner Up is "the sense of cohesiveness among small business owners and its capacity to act as a common support system"…, and it gets us very close to the term COMMUNITY.

I’d like to call it "The Community of Small Business Networkers" and it will be "a bit more descriptive yet still succinct" - if Paula Rosenthal gives me permission to quote her words –, but as English is not my original language it may be a tautology. I’m sure that anyway you’ll end up with wonderful outcomes.

Manuel (SellingTheWorld.org)
1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
1

Ollie Smith Responded on 6/28/2011


The Community of Small Business does it for me, but if you just need to add that social networking twist to it, I will have to agree with Dr. Manuel. The Community of Small Business Networkers would be the perfect game changer.
0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
1

Mohamed Mahmoud Responded on 6/28/2011


well.it is all about business.people gain here knowledge new ideas which enrich people experience in bussiness.thats leads to advancment and benefit all mankind. business first and last thanks .
0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
11

Josh Tracy Responded on 6/28/2011


A way to sort more recent posts would be great. Its kind of tough to navigate around and figure out whats where - but I love this concept. Maybe a section for just people looking for partners on the homepage would be ideal (since the site is called partner up)
1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
81

Jessica Macabasa Responded on 6/29/2011


I agree with Josh...some mention of "partner" in the tagline would be ideal since after all this site is all about partnering up with someone...:)

The Community of Small Business Networkers.

or

The Community of Small Business Enthusiasts.


The community of small business partners.

Building partnerships. Building businesses.

0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
16

Chris Stuart Responded on 7/11/2011


My constructive criticism of the site, would be that it appears very 'spammy' in many places-forums, postings, etc. I would hire someone or put some preventitive measures in place in order to filter out this nonsense. It is off putting to see this on the site, and make its much less useful. My two cents.
2
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
346

Hilary Cable Responded on 7/12/2011


Hi Chris:

Thank you very much for your feedback. We're working hard to slash the spam on the site be educating members about spam and where to post promotional material (we have Small Biz Showcases and a "Products and Services offered" forum for promotional posts), and by removing and and suspending accounts of chronic offenders. PartnerUp was allowed to get so clogged with junk that I think some members think it's normal and acceptable to spam. You can help me by flagging spam when you see it so it goes to the moderation queue.

Please feel free to contact me here any time you have comments, suggestions or critiques.

Hilary Cable | Community Manager, PartnerUp.com | hilary.cable@deluxe.com
Deluxe Corp | www.deluxe.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PartnerUp-Community/157895039939
Twitter: @PartnerUp
0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
16

John Cox Responded on 9/7/2011


You should use "The community for small business." These days, everyone's trying to make their own "social network." Heck, half the posts I see on here are solicitations for people to invest or develop someone's new "social network." I think this website is a little above following a trend. If you use "the community," or something a little more able to withstand time and fashion, it would help keep your identity solid no matter what happens. Just a thought.
0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
21

Dennis Kreiss Responded on 11/30/2011


How about a few other ideas:

The place where business people connect

A Community Where business people connect

Connecting You and Your Business

I think "community for small business" is the best of the two you asked for a comment on, yet, I'm not sure that it is specific enough. It seems like this is not about businesses, but more about the people who are looking to connect with other people about their business needs and business ideas. Hope this helps

Regards
Dennis
1
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This
 

LIKE! - Hilary Cable 346 on 12/1/2011

 
Add Comment
 
 
1

Shawna R Responded on 2/2/2012


I believe it s/b "Community for Small Business Network" altho the reason I came here is I typed into Yahoo "where to go to find a business partner" and saw your site.

It's so strange that I live here in the Bay Area (& Silicon Valley) and yet getting responses from all over USA and the World. And I need a couple people who have skills I don't so we can get it going.
0
PartnerUp! Mark As Spam Share This Add Comment
 
 
 Respond to thread
( Paste a youtube link to embed a video. eg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ )
Share on:



 Latest Business Articles

Learn more about being in business
The PartnerUp's Community's "How-To" content provides a deeper, more complete look into the topics and issues facing small business owners.



Read more..


 Explore The Community



 Helpful Resources


 
 
Home » Forums » Questions About PartnerUp » PartnerUp needs your help: Which makes more sense?