Top Ten Photo Sharing sites

In the last few years, photo sharing has gained lot of importance as a method for clubs or associations to distribute photographs online. Hence these photo sharing websites have become useful tools and sources for managing photos online. The following are some of the top photo sharing sites to work with.

1. Flickr

Flickr is one of the most popular photo sharing sites. It also helps members online to post their photographs easily. Bloggers also use this as a photo repository. You can upload your photographs on to Flickr easily and then send the slideshow link of the tag. Flickr does not invole any payment.

2. Slideoo

Through Slideoo, Flickr users can make streaming slideshows of the photos. After becoming a registered member of Flickr, you have to create a slideshow by entering a Flickr username. After customizing the image size, slideshow width and the picture number, Slideoo helps to compile the images in a format that can be scrollable.

3. SimpleViewer

This is a customizable, free Flash photos application from Airtight Interactive. It enables users to easily view the photos and go through the thumbnails. By simply clicking on a thumbnail you can make alterations to the selected photo. You can also create your own SimpleViewer gallery.

4. Jumpcut

This is video publishing site which is totally free. It also has an on-line slideshow and video editing tool. You can alter the trim clips and add transitions through the use of Flash interface. Jumpcut can make you add photos from Flickr or you can upload your images. You can not only remix a video but can also using a video camera email your videos.

5. SoundSlides

You can get audio-visual presentations onto the web easily and affordably using Soundslides. Through this feature you can easily make your presentation which can be viewed on any browser. These are not free and come as two versions for both Mac and PC: the basic version and the professional version which is obviously costlier.

6. Photobucket

Photobucket provides several tools for making slideshows of photos, music, videos and lots more free of cost. These can be shared by users through IM, email and mobile phone. This is a great site which will let you upload photos and is very popular MySpace users. You can choose either paid or free plans while using Photobucket.

7. Imageloop

Imageloop enables users to create their own animated slideshows for showcasing digital photos. These can be published on social networking sites and blogs. Anyone can make use of this site and no experience in the technical field is necessary. You can give the Slideshow a unique look after uploading your photographs. You can also if you wish add brief description and title to your photos to make them appear on your Slideshow.

8. Slide

Slide is the chosen tool among MySpace users for exhibiting their best pictures in a nice way. The slide shows can be placed in RSS feeds, added to websites or kept as a screensaver on your desktop.

9. Smugmug

Another online photo sharing site, Smugmug is very user friendly. It has several options using which you can share your photos with others. This site enables you to post photos and add footers and captions to your photos. This will enable people know each event as shown by each photograph.

10. Zooomr

Zooomr is a free hosting and photo-sharing service just like Flickr. It supports geo tagging and multiple languages. It’s another notable feature is the “portal” which is nothing but clickable zones used to attach photos together. Zooomr is free.

Source : top-10-list.org

Top 10 Ways to Grow Your Facebook Page Following

How can you quickly encourage people to become followers of your Facebook page?

This is the most common question I get from clients.  The truth is it takes time to build a new fan base from scratch. From the day you set up a Facebook page, it does require an ongoing commitment to brand, monitor, and network with people who find interest in your product. Besides quality service, it’s important to build close-knit relationships with visitors.

How do you get people to like your Facebook page?  Here are 10 tips…

#1: Be Prepared With Quality Wall Posts and Consistent Engagement

If you want to be liked, be likeable first.  A disorganized Facebook page can turn off customers instantly. When reviewing a Facebook page, quality content and active engagements are great first impressions.

Several other factors people look for before joining a page include the brand itself, consistent posting of fresh information, and active engagement from both fans and admin.

#2: Reward Your Loyal Supporters

You may have just started your Facebook page, but your business is well-established. Encourage your loyal customers to join your Facebook page as supporters, reward them with customizable badges/tabs (to be placed on their profiles for visibility) and special deals for consistent support.

A shout-out from a happy customer is a lot more attractive than a marketing slogan, creating irresistible appeal for that ‘Like’ button.

#3: Leverage Your Existing Social Networks

If you’ve built a strong Twitter network for your business, utilize it to promote your Facebook page. Some people prefer not to overlap similar social contacts on both accounts, but why diminish your chance to be noticed? Your followers can broadcast your message on both of their social platforms by reaching out to a greater audience about your business.

A brilliant example of this is how Mari Smith rewarded her Twitter followers while attracting people to visit her fan page:

Did I mention that a few indirect promotions on your Facebook personal profile could work wonders too?

#4: Integrate Facebook Social Plugins to Your Website

It’s essential to have a main hub correlating all your social media activities. Your company’s website is the only place that gives you full control over content and brand management.

Integrate Facebook social plugins to encourage connections such as Facebook’s Likebox, Like button, and Comment stream.

As Facebook visitors increase, your page is more likely to show up on supporters’ news feeds and those of their friends, prompting people to find out more about your business page.

#5: Remind Your Fans to Like and Share

Facebook has some easy ready-made sharing buttons with which people can promote your tabs and pages to their friends.  Place a shout-out or reminder to ‘Like’ your status updates and instruct fans to click that little ‘Share’ button right next to your message so their friends will be alerted about the update.

#6: Utilize Forum Signatures and Membership Sites

If you’re an active participant in a forum or membership site, placing a signature with your fan page link is a plus. No-one will care about your information unless you stand out from the crowd.

Be an active helper in a LinkedIn Group or a frequent poster of special tips and tricks. As long as your participation in the niche community is appreciated, there’s a higher chance for other members to check you out.

Here’s an example of my signature at Chris Garrett’s Authority Blogger Forum.

#7: Take the Initiative: Request Help From Friends

It’s difficult to start a fan page with no engagement whatsoever. Why not initiate messages to your friends and buddies who are supportive of your business? Ask them to help out in some discussions, reward them with publicity or return the favor. It’s easier to ask a friend than a stranger if you’re worried about spamming people.

Make sure the question is interesting enough to get them talking. If you use your personal account and fan page strategically, you’ll discover a huge advantage of getting new friends to be your fans while they’re getting to know you better.

#8: Use Tagging and Acknowledgments

A great networking tool, status-tagging, can even drive in new connections.  Tag an author or a popular Facebook page to draw attention, but only if you have good reason to do so.

For example, selflessly promote a niche-post and how it benefits people who like your page. Be authentic, and the page admin (hopefully the fans as well) will appreciate you for it.

#9: Participate Outside Your Page

Use the Facebook Directory and Facebook Search to locate other Facebook pages in your niche and look for public discussions based on search terms related to your business.

Provide value to the popular pages; build credibility and relationships with the admin and members.  Get to know them better before asking them to look at your page. They just may reward you publicly.

#10: Collaborate With Other Page Admins for a Social Event

You can collaborate with other page admins to create a special event that may benefit both your fans and bring in new connections. I find this to be very successful.  There should be a mutual understanding and proper planning to make it work for everyone’s professional goals. For example, Social Media Success Summit 2010 was a successful live online conference with 24 social media experts who shared how to use social media to attract quality customers and grow your business.

There are many ways you can increase your Facebook fan base.  Remember, showcase the quality of your service and why it matters to be a part of your page community.

Source :socialmschool.com

Top 30 Social Networking Sites Specifically for Small Business, Entrepreneurs, and Startups

We all know of the huge social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. They’re great for large scale connections and discussion. But, as entrepreneurs and small business owners sometimes it’s nice to connect with other like minded individuals in a smaller, more focused setting. If that sounds like what you are looking for in a social network, the below list is for you.

We’ve scoured the Internet looking for social networking sites specifically for small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups, and found 40 we feel are worth a look.

1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn, The grandaddy of business social networks. LinkedIn strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts.

2. Meet The Boss

Meet the Boss is a business networking tool for business executives around the world, across all vertical industries. Content is all in English.

3. PartnerUp

PartnerUp is an online networking community that entrepreneurs and small business owners use to find the expertise and resources they need to start and grow a business. Members can connect with potential partners, advisers, and business resources.

4. Qapacity

Qapacity is a business-oriented social networking site and a business directory founded in March 2008 and launched in February 2009. User are given a set of tools to promote their business online, to keep their clients and business partners up-to-date with their work and to reach new clients.

5. Ryze

Ryze.com is a free social networking website designed to link business professionals, particularly new entrepreneurs.

6. Talkbiznow

Talkbiznowis a comprehensive interactive business networking site for business professionals.

7. XING

XING  is a social software platform for enabling a small-world network for professionals.

8. Yelp, Inc.

Yelp is a local business review and talk networking site, including user reviews and recommendations.

9. FledgeWing

FledgeWing is an online community aimed at entrepreneurial university students launched in February 2009.

10. The Funded

TheFunded allows entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review venture capital sources worldwide

11. Cofoundr

Cofoundr is a private social network for entrepreneurs, programmers, designers, investors, and other individuals deeply involved with starting new ventures.

12. Perfect Business

 PerfectBusiness helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Our resources include easy-to-use tools and resources, plus a network of entrepreneurs

13. Biznik

End your isolation and invisibility with Biznik, the local, independent entrepreneurial community where collaboration beats competition.

14. StartupNation

StartupNation provides real-world business advice to people who want to start a business and who want to grow their small businesses.

15. Entrepreneur Connect

Entrepreneur Connect is the social network where small-business owners can create a profile, explore the community, share ideas and make connections. This site is not intended for mass self-promotion, but rather should be a positive destination where entrepreneurs can exchange real advice and make lasting connections.

16. Young Entrepreneur

Young Entrepreneur Forums – your online discussion forum to share and talk about Entrepreneurship.

17. Blogster

Blogsteris a resources for free weblogs. Offers tools, tips, and opportunities to share.

18. Konnects

Konnects is a social media platform that is embedded on the site of an online newspaper or publication to bring engagement to the organization’s site.

19. Upspring

Upspring is a business networking, local Internet marketing, local advertising, product promotion, and online marketing services

20. Fast Pitch

Fast Pitch is a Social Network for Business Networking Professionals to market their business, press, blogs, events and networks.

21. E.Factor

The E.Factor is a vibrant, global community for Entrepreneurs. E.Factorhelps you build your business, find financing, network with like minded entrepreneurs

22. BizToo

BizToois a Global Co-Operation and Social Network of entrepreneurs worldwide. BizToo helps entrepreneurs make the contacts

23. Go Big Network

Go BIG Network helps connect companies with investors.

24. Black Businesswomen Online

A Social Network for Black Business Women and Women Entrepreneurs

25. Networking for Professionals

Networking for Professionals offers online networking and business events. Get Connected today, both online and in the real world.

26. Spoke

Spokeoffers on-demand business to business contact information for sales people, marketers, and recruiters enabling Sales Lead Generation, and Business List building.

27. Ning

Ning is an online service to create, customize, and share a social network.

28. Unstucture.org

Unstructureis an open discussion platform for business professionals, bloggers and contemporary thought leaders to discuss and debate action ideas that would aid the evolution of business. Unstructure consists of an online discussion forum (where you are currently), an annual physical event and a book of insight and action ideas for businesses of the future.

29. Home Based Business Network

The Home Based Business Network is an online community and resources for starting a home based business, featuring home business profiles, blogs, forums, videos, ideas, and more!

30. Freelance Face

The Freelance Face is the freelance social network. By freelancers, for freelancers.