Understanding Ryze

For some time now, Ryze has been a leader in online networking.  It's a creative website that has risen to the top and changed the meaning of networking online.

When you join Ryze you will be able to create a user profile.  This basically is an "About Me" page.  Be creative in what you write about yourself.  Afterall, this can become a great marketing tool for you.

Ryze provides two membership choices; Free Membership or upgrade to Gold which offers more business building perks and networking capabilities. One of the great perks of being a Gold Member is the ability to create your own network or board.  I recommend it to anyone who wants to increase their website traffic, network and gain exposure for their business or services. 

Below is a list of what the Gold Membership offers:

• View who has visited your Ryze page recently.
• View newest Ryze Members in the last week.
• View who's been online in the last 24 hours.
• View people who list you as a Friend.
• View newest post in your Friend's guestbook.
• View the Friend of Friend's list.
• Search for people in the Ryze database.
• Network with Me option.
• Create your own network.

In addition, there are many good networks (boards) for you to further your online marketing reach.  Some networks allow advertising while others are a very good source of networking and connecting with others in your related field.  To join a network, simply click on the Network tab at the top.  You will see a list of the available networks.  Select the Network you would like to join. After you have selected the network you will be presented with two board options, as follows:

1) Permit Network Leader to send you E-mail - This is self explanatory.  If you want to receive emails from the network leader, check this option.
2) Send e-mail notification of new Network posts - Check this option only if you want to receive an email for each individual post.  I don't recommend this option as a busy board will result in hundreds of daily emails.  I prefer to login and read the network boards.

Here are a few popular networks found on Ryze:

Direct Selling Network
http://dsnetwork-network.ryze.com

Entrepreneur's Network
http://entrepreneurs-network.ryze.com/

Work at Home Mom's Network
http://wahm-network.ryze.com/

Promote It Network
http://promoteit-network.ryze.com/

Once you join Ryze, the key is to start building your network by signing a member's guestbook.  Others will in turn sign your guestbook and hopefully read your profile.  You read their profile they read yours and so the networking begins. You can also invite others to be your friend and start building your Friend's list which is another form of networking and connecting within Ryze.

Recently, Ryze made some changes and now limits the signing of guestbooks.  You can still sign a limited few - up to 25 per day.  They have also added a new option called, Network With Me.  Personally, I find this new option very confusing and leaving the user unsure what it is they are to do when someone invites them to network.  It is also very similar to their existing "Friends" option which further makes me wonder why the need for this new option.  Whether you use the Friends or Network with Me options, you will still find Ryze a useful and resourceful service.

To allow others to post to your guestbook, add you as a Friend or activate the Network with Me option, you will need to set your preferences.  To do so, login and go to "Preferences."  There you can set your preferences for the available options.  The options are: Off, Friends Only, Open to All or Email notifications only.  The choice is yours on how you wish to be contacted and connect with others.

Whatever membership choice you select, Ryze is an interesting and informative community with something for everyone. 

See you there!  Happy Ryzing!

About the Author:  Diane Drayer is an experienced online marketer, as well as, the creator and moderator for  the popular Ryze Direct Selling Network. In addition, she owns two informative websites; DirectSellingOpportuniites.com and PartyPlanLocator.com.  When she isn't busy moderating her Ryze board or marketing her home business resource site, she teaches others how to build and maintain a website through her MakeAnEasyWebsite.com service.