Hidden Networks

In all the talk about social media, conversations typically revolved first and foremost around Facebook and Twitter. Secondarily, LinkedIn will come up for professional reasons, along with bookmarking sites, YouTube and Flickr. Once you get past the top handful, though, the list becomes very fragmented.

This presents an interesting opportunity for the crafty entrepreneur, though.  Because, while everyone else is paddling around these crowded social ponds, opportunities abound in smaller, specialized social networks that center around a more precise focus.

Niche social networks can have a lot of great value when it comes to building connections with both potential customers and with potential partners.

SmallBizBee published a great list this week: 40 Social Networking Sites Specifically for Small Business, Entrepreneurs, and Startups.

While the list covers some of the more traditional ones (starting with LinkedIn), there are also some very specialized networks on the list, targeting needs that are unique to entrepreneurs:

• PartnerUp
• Qapacity
• Ryze
• FledgeWing
• The Funded
• Cofoundr
• Perfect Business
• E.Factor
• Raise Capital

Whether you are looking for funding, for partners, for customers or for advisors, there are social networks that cover the spectrum. If you think that Twitter is too overwhelming and that Facebook is for kids, then I’d encourage every entrepreneur to read through that list, identify a few that appear applicable, and then go check them out.

Resources for entrepreneurs can be plentiful if you know where to look, but as I’ve said before, finding the right business parter can be harder than finding the right spouse. So no matter what you are looking for when it comes to building your business, the more options, the better your odds of finding what you need.

So don’t limit yourself to the most obvious choices. Branch out and see what other alternatives might just fit the bill.

Alora Chistiakoff is an entrepreneur, blogger, content strategist and project manager who has been developing online business and technology for startups for more than a decade. She co-owns The Indigo Heron Group, Inc., a content strategy firm in Austin, Texas.