Yelp works. Local service professionals know it (plumbers, oil changers, etc.). But WordPress website designers should be up there, too.

LinkedIn is the de facto online social network for business types. The thing is, lots of people are “on there” but aren’t necessarily using it to the fullest.

When it comes to getting a significant amount of business by way of referral some companies are better at it. It’s not that they have implemented a better process for asking clients and partners to refer them, it’s that they are simply more referable.

I was inspired by a meeting I had with Bob Gates and Nadja Specht this morning in which we talked in quite some detail about social networking–and how you can make it work for your business.

There are a few rules that I encourage people to follow when Yelping. Yelp moderators have an iron fist ready to squelch any reviews they judge as potentially fraudulent or solicitous. Following these rules will help make your reviews count.