What's on this blog

What I've done here is to explain why you may find it worthwhile exploring Ecademy.
The posts below this one cover the following:

Who might be interested and get value from Ecademy

An overview re what it is

The impact membership can have on the way that Google finds you

An intro to Ecademy and what you can expect from it

The benefits I've gained from joining Ecademy

Why you need to create your profile on Ecademy

How to get to grips with Ecademy - a list of links to relevant help pages

Who might be interested and get value from Ecademy

I realised yesterday that despite my enthusiasm for Ecademy as a great networking and time saving tool, facility and business community, I had not included something quite crucial on this blog.

What sort of people do I think would most benefit from exploring the idea of joining Ecademy?

Obviously this is a very subjective view and many of the members of Ecademy will not fit these criteria. So don't let my summary below put you off if you're different and still want to know more.

Equally, if you look like the sort of person I've described below or you like the sound of what I've set out, do please check out the rest of this blog and follow the links to Ecademy.

To my mind the following types of people are likely to get most from Ecademy - subject to the caveats above:

1 - Anyone starting a self-employed business who would enjoy the community spirit and the facility to save time and effort by learning from hundreds/thousands of other people who have been there, done that, bought the T-shirt;

2 - Anyone who has an established small business that sells services, consultancy or products but who is not comfortable that they are getting maximum value from their networking, marketing and/or selling abilities;

3 - Anyone whose business targets either of the above categories;

4 - Anyone who doesn't live in a major conurbation or is in anyway lacking regular interactions with other like minded people - as the site includes clubs covering a very wide range of interests and activities;

5 - Anyone looking for suppliers and wants to know more about them than what appears on their website and their tender documnets/proposals;

Overview

Founded in the UK in 1998, Ecademy is a fast growing worldwide Business Networking platform. It is much more sophisticated and with more business related benefits than the better known social networking sites.

Over 100,000 people have been or are members of Ecademy and in excess of 30,000 are actively involved at any one time.

Ecademy members benefit from the interactions they create with other members both on and offline. There is a strong emphasis on building an Internet Presence, blogging, doing deals, joining 'clubs' and connecting directly with other networkers (versus needing to navigate a chain of contact connections). As the techies might say, Ecademy offers far more powerful feature rich capability than any other business network website.

Google

One of the key benefits of joining Ecademy is the impact it can have on your Google ranking - or that of your business.

For example, since joining Ecademy my website and blogs are immediately visible if you search for BookMarkLee. The same happens if you search for Ambitious professionals or Accountants' secrets (even if you don't use quotes).

A couple of months back I was saying that it doesn't work so well if you search for Mark Lee as there are so many other more famous people with the same name. two months ago I had however moved onto the first page. Now I'm at third position on www.Google.com and as time passes I'd hope to go higher - and don't forget I'm competing with an Australian film actor, an astronaut, a Professor, a few(!) asian lawyers and sundry others!

Well it impresses me!

Why Ecademy?

I have gained significant value from joining Ecademy. It is a fabulous online and offline ‘business and beyond’ networking community.

I’ve attended numerous face to face meetings and had many useful conversations with other Ecademists by email, skype and phone. I’ve also associated myself with a few of the many, many clubs that have been formed within Ecademy to cater for various specific common interests.

I have saved an enormous amount of time since joining Ecademy as it enables me to quickly source and identify people who have knowledge I need to access. It has also provided me with a sense of 'community' which I have previously enjoyed at the larger firms I have worked with.

I think you will also find that members of Ecademy will be able to introduce you to valuable work opportunities - although I would counsel caution as regards your eagerness to achieve this.

Before you check it out however let me offer two caveats:

1 – The Ecademy community has a motto: 'winning by sharing'. Don't even think of joining if your focus will be only on what you can get out of it.

2 - It can take some time to get to grips with the various facilities available on the website. It is very interactive and functional. I reckon I've now got to grips with most of it. But I still find new featrures and opportunities every now and then.

Ecademy was started in the UK in 1988. It has had over 100,000 members, some of whom pay a fee for advanced levels of membership. I am a 'Blackstar' life member now.

I’d encourage you to visit the website and ‘look around’. You will gain most by also identifying clubs to join and contributing as and when you have the time.

If you are interested but want some help getting to grips with the website, just let me know and I'll do whatever I can to help - as always.

You can access the website by clicking on this link.

[edit: It's now easier than ever to get a feel for what the site is about following a site revamp on 30 April 2007].

Benefits I've had

When I talk to people I generally stress two key benefits I have had from joining Ecademy:

1 - Having previously worked in large organisations I always used to help and contribute ideas whenever anyone asked or needed my input. I didn't realise it but I missed that facility. And I certainly get the chance now I am a member of Ecademy.

2 - I've saved a lot of trial and error by being on the receiving end of helpful responses whenever I've asked for support, input or ideas. Other people with wider and deeper knowledge of their specialist areas who are prepared to help others.

I feel that there is a real sense of community and I'm very pleased to be a part of it.

I also feel very confident that I am developing a network of advocates for what I do and who I can help. People who know me and like me are willing to recommend others to approach me when they can see a match between what they need and what I can do for them.

Create your profile

This is a VITAL part of being an Ecademy member - it's your on-line calling card, and tells people about yourself - it's the first thing people look at when they hear about you or when you send them a message.

One important element of your profile is the '50 Words' field. These are very important, as they allow you to search on Ecademy for members like yourself. The words you choose to use define WHO YOU ARE.

For example my 50 words include: Chartered Accountant, Accountancy fees, Professional, innovative, lucky, networking, entrepreneur, catalyst, mentor, trainer, consultant, speaker, inspiring, engaging, happy, positive, pragmatic, enthusiastic, optimist, mindmapping, buzan, de bono, value focussed, fun, objective, balanced, chocolate, home office, exciting, The Magic Circle, FCA, CTA, ICAEW, CIOT, Toastmasters International, tax, bridge, golf, personal development, family, married, referring work to others

It doesn't have to be 50 words, but the more the better - you can always add or remove words later.

Profile pages generally also include a photo as it helps a lot with Networking (people can relate to you much easier online and also find you at networking events or meetings!) NB - This needs to be your photo (ideally head and shoulders shot) - not an object, animal or logo!

TIP Click on some of the names listed in the Currently Online page to view other member profile pages to get an idea of what to put in your profile.

My profile is available to view here