The Social Network for Business

Frequently Asked Questions


  1. What is networking?
  2. Must I network to grow my business?
  3. What is WhoYa™?
  4. How does WhoYa™ differ from other Internet networking sites?
  5. How is WhoYa™ different from other forms of networking?
  6. Who may join WhoYa™?
  7. Are there restrictions on the type or number of businesses that may join?
  8. What are the membership levels and what is the cost?
  9. How do I join?
  10. How do I create a profile?
  11. How do I upload my content?
  12. How do I upload my contact list?
  13. How do I invite my business friends to join?
  14. Should I tell my contacts that I have joined the network?
  1. Do I need to upload a video message?
  2. Do I need to create a free How-To report?
  3. May corporate employees join?
  4. May I use WhoYa™ to find a job?
  5. Who receives the WhoYa™ newsletter?
  6. May a consumer opt-out from receiving the newsletter?
  7. May I rent, or buy the consumer list?
  8. What are the benefits of becoming a member?
  9. How do I cancel my membership?
  10. If I cancel, what happens to my contacts?
  11. What is the benefit to consumers?
  12. What is the Profile Lottery? (Coming Soon)
  13. What is the Profile Exchange? (Coming Soon)
  14. What if I don't want or need so much exposure?

1. What is networking?
Networking is an active, systematic process of linking people to one another for the purpose of exchanging information. Through networking, we locate resources, jobs and opportunities. We can gain new ideas, exposure, increase potential, and/or find new outlets for our goods and services. Networking enables us to advance socially, professionally, financially, spiritually, and personally. Every person has a network of people that he or she is connected with at home, at school, at work, in church, and/or through social clubs, or professional organizations.

2. Must I network to grow my business?
Have you ever heard the phrase, "no man is an island" (neither are women!)? What this means is, none of us can get through life, much less succeed in business on our own. We all need the help of others, particularly in business. If you have been in business for any length of time, you already know that merely opening the doors and placing a large "Now Open" sign in front of your business is insufficient to generate a steady stream of loyal customers. Networking with others provides many advantages, provided both parties have their hearts in the right place. This is a much easier task when networking with friends, than when networking purely with strangers. When a friend refers you to one of their friends, there is an 85% consideration rate and a 35% acceptance rate, in contrast with traditional advertising which produces an average 2% consideration rate.

3. What is Whoya™?
WhoYa is an invitation only, Internet based community of business owner friends, who refer each other to their consumer friends. Essentially, you refer the people you know and trust, to the people who know and trust you. WhoYa is owned and operated by The Business Friends Forever Network, LLC., and Clarke Sourcing, LLC.

4. How does WhoYa™ differ from other Internet networking sites?
WhoYa stands alone as the world's first invitation only, business network where members refer each other to their consumer friends. Other business networking sites allow you to create a profile, but then require that YOU spend YOUR valuable time canvassing the site to make connections, which are usually other business owners. While people may agree to link profiles or to add you as a "friend," it is very rare that one of your connections will promote you to their entire list of contacts. In WhoYa, you and other members of the network refer each other to your respective list of contacts using our automated video newsletter, which operates on a patent-pending algorithm. As the network grows, so do the number of consumers that your business profile will be exposed to. We are truly the only business to business, business to consumer, and consumer to business model in existence.

5. How does WhoYa™ differ from other forms of networking?
Traditional forms of networking include clubs, groups, and organizations that require membership and/or physical attendance at a set time and location. Chambers of Commerce, BNI Chapters, leads groups, referral groups, civic and service clubs (Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary etc.), allow business people to meet and network with each other. However, these organizations do not have a system to enable members to receive personal introductions to the personal contacts of any other member.

So, the only way for you to be introduced to the contacts of another member is to first persuade the gatekeeper (the person whose contacts you want to be exposed to), that you are worthy of being introduced to their list of contacts. Even if you are deemed worthy, the gatekeeper will almost always prejudge whether or not her contacts have a need or interest in your product or service. Most often, the gatekeeper will not have the time, desire, or practical ability to introduce and promote you with any consistency.

As well, many traditional networking groups restrict the number of members engaged in a particular industry or profession. So if you have just launched a dental practice in a particular neighborhood and want to join a local, well established local networking group, you may be excluded if there is a dentist already in the group. On the other hand, chambers of commerce which have no such restrictions are often overloaded with members from the more popular professions such a real estate and insurance agents. Thus, in order to succeed in this type of environment you must win a popularity contest.

Organizational details aside, traditional networking also suffers because of the amount of time involved in the process. Networking meetings typically occur once per week for an average of 60 - 90 minutes. This means that on meeting day, you must take away from your primary responsibilities and travel to and from the meeting. If you cannot attend a meeting, you have to wait one whole week or more before reconnecting with your group and getting more exposure.

Finally, in traditional networking you are usually given 30 to 60 seconds to introduce yourself and announce the type of referrals you are seeking. This is akin to auditioning for a prized movie role. If you do not get your lines correct and say what you need to say within the time allowed, you are simply out of luck. You have to wait another week, rehearse your lines and come back to try again. And, for those entrepreneurs who have multiple projects going on at the same time, you can usually represent only one business interest at a time.

WhoYa is designed to overcome all of the limitations of traditional networking methods. It is convenient, there are no meetings to attend, there is no limit to the number of business members in the network, and there is no exclusivity in any category. Each member is pre-screened and must be invited to join by another trusted business friend.

Finally, we differ by providing our members with massive exposure at a mere fraction of the cost they would otherwise spend in advertising, while never achieving the same result.

6. Who may join WhoYa™?
To become a member, you must be referred by an existing member in good standing. You must be of legal age, and must be an independent business owner. Professionals employed by a corporation, may qualify if they are required to build their own independent book of business. If you have any questions about your qualifications for membership, please email us.

7. Are there restrictions on the type of businesses that may join?
We will not accept as members, any person who seeks to promote any adult oriented business, any person who promotes an activity that is declared by law to be unlawful, or illegal, or any person who intends to promote a business or service that may be deemed offensive, or which targets or poses a danger to minors or any other user. There is no restriction on how many members from a particular industry or profession can join. WhoYa reserves the right to exclude any person or business from participating on this web site, for any reason, or for no reason, at its sole discretion.

8. What are the membership levels and what is the cost?


WhoYa™ offers (3) paid membership levels:

    Gold (Expert) category ($90 per month), is for business owners with 10 or more years of relevant experience in their industry. This category provides the highest level of exposure and benefits. It is ideal for those serious business owners desiring a global presence.
    Silver category ($60 per month), is for independent business owners with any number of years of relevant experience in their field. This level is for the well connected business that desires a substantial amount of exposure.
    Bronze category ($30 per month), is for the independent business owner with limited business experience and with a limited number of personal contacts. This level is ideal for the new, or for the small business owner who desires to grow, or who desires a controlled amount of exposure.


WhoYa™ offers (2) complimentary (non-member) levels:

    Student category is complimentary, and is open to college and university students currently enrolled in an entrepreneurship program. Although students are not eligible to participate in the member Newsletter marketing, students may make connections, find mentors, and learn valuable ideas, strategies, and skills from the WhoYa Signature Member faculty.
    Associate category is complimentary, and is available to independent business owners who have not been invited, yet who desire a presence on the WhoYa network. Although Associates are not eligible to participate in the member Newsletter marketing, Associates may make connections, find mentors, and learn valuable ideas, strategies, and skills from the WhoYa Signature Member faculty.


WhoYa™ offers Signature Member designation:

While technically not a level of membership, "Signature Member" status is awarded by the WhoYa Executive Committee to a Gold member in good standing, of high integrity, who is highly respected in their field, and who possesses a unique or special skill, or education that is of value to all members, users, and visitors to our web site. A Signature Member is hand selected, and must agree to additional terms and conditions. Signature Members serve at the sole discretion of our Executive Committee.

For a more detailed explanation of our membership levels, please refer to our Membership Levels and Guidelines.

9. How do I join?
You may join WhoYa™ as a full member if you have received an invitation from an existing member in good standing. You must also meet the criteria for membership as set forth in the Requirements for Membership section of this web site, and you must accept the "Terms and Conditions" of membership. If you have received an invitation code, click on the "Join Us" button from the home page, and then enter your code to get started.

Every person accepting a paid membership or a complimentary profile will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the Terms and Conditions of membership.

10. How do I create a profile?
Members may create their profile by uploading their content from their account management page.

11. How do I upload my content?
Members may upload a personal profile photo, product photos, photo banners, videos, bio, reports and other content by accessing the menu on their account management page. Please note that all content must be professional in nature and quality, and that it must be designed to support your business or profession. Content that is deemed to be of a personal nature, or which is not reflective of your business or profession is subject to immediate removal.

12. How do I upload a contact list?
Members may upload their personal contact list (consumers), by accessing the menu and following the instructions on their account management page. Please note that by uploading your contact list, you are representing that the people on the list know you and that they approve of you communicating with them via email. Members who are flagged as "Spam" from a consumer, are subject to having their profiles removed from the web site.

13. How do I invite my business friends to join?
Members get to invite some of their business friends into the network. These are the business friends that you know and trust, and whom you will refer to the people that know and trust you. Invitations are sent by accessing the menu button in your account management page.

14. How do I let my personal contacts know that I have joined the network?
Your personal contacts (consumers), are the people that will receive your video marketing newsletter. Once you upload the name and email address of your contacts via the menu button in your account management page, our system will generate an email message to your contact. The message lets them know that you have joined the network, that they will be receiving a weekly video newsletter from you, and that they have the option to unsubscribe from your list.

15. Does a Member have to upload a video message?
Yes. WhoYa is a cutting edge marketing solution that relies on video marketing to increase your exposure, and to enable potential customers to get to know you. Recent studies reveal that video marketing messages are most effective for converting new customers. For assistance in creating your video, check the WhoYa-TV directory, or browse the Free reports. We reserve the right to remove any video or audio content for any reason, or for no reason, in its sole discretion.

16. Do I need to create a FREE "How-To" Report?
Yes. Creating one or more "How-To" Reports is essential to your success on WhoYa. The report serves a dual purpose. First, it allows you to tune in to the consumer's favorite radio station WII-FM (what's in it for me). People love getting something for free, and what better to give them, than your knowledge and expertise! As well, your report will help you establish trust and credibility. Makes sure that your report contains valuable and useful information. Do not simply copy and paste your sales and marketing brochures. By asking our members to offer free reports, we are increasing the value to other members, consumers, and visitors alike. If you need assistance drafting your report, please review “How to Create a ‘How-To’ Report”FREE Report . We reserve the right to remove any How-To Report content for any reason, or for no reason, in our sole discretion.

17. May employees of a corporation become members?
WhoYa was created as a marketing solution the independent business owner. We understand that some independent professionals (i.e., lawyers, financial planners, and residential sales agents), may be employed by a large corporation. In this case, while the corporation will not qualify for membership, the employee may still qualify. If you have a question about whether you qualify you for membership, send us an email.

18. May I use WhoYa™ to find a job?
Yes. From time to time, a member may need to hire someone in their business. We will soon be providing a job listings page, which may be accessed by any user of the site.

19. Who receives the WhoYa™ Newsletter?
The recipients of the Newsletter come from two sources. First, each member is required to contribute a certain number of personal contacts (consumers), into a secure database, as a condition of membership. These are not randomly purchased lists. Rather, the consumers are made up of past, or current customers, friends and contacts of each member. Also, any member of the general public may voluntarily subscribe to a member Newsletter.

20. May a consumer opt-out from receiving the Newsletter?
Yes. When a member submits the name and email address of his or her contacts into the database, an email message is automatically sent to that contact. This message informs the recipient that the member (a person they know), has joined WhoYa, and that they may opt-out from receiving any Newsletter. To avoid claims of spam, and to reduce opt-outs, members are required to upload the contact information only of people who are personally known to them.

21. May I rent or buy the consumer list?
Absolutely not. Under no circumstances is anyone authorized to rent, lease, or buy the consumer list. Virtually no one, except for select members of the WhoYa team will ever have access to the consumer database. The database information is limited to name and email address, and it is securely encrypted upon upload into the system. We will not ask for or collect any personal information from the consumers. We do not ask for or store any financial or personal data from consumers or from visitors to our site. Our list of consumer contacts will not be sold, transferred, shared, leased or distributed to anyone.

22. What are the benefits of becoming a Member?
Our Members enjoy these benefits, among others:

  • Convenience. There are no meetings to attend. You spend your time running your business while you use our system to promote your business.
  • High Integrity. Since membership is by invitation only, a member will only invite someone that he or she has trust and confidence in.
  • Constant Exposure to New Contacts. Our patent pending Newsletter solution is designed to give our members exposure to literally hundreds of thousands of warm market consumers.
  • Enhanced Credibility. You are known by the company that you keep. Our exclusive, invitation only network will enhance a member's credibility and reputation. As the value of the network increases over time, the value of your membership will also rise.
  • Become an Expert. Our "Ask the Expert" feature allows our Gold members to be promoted as experts in their field. This is a valuable benefit for members desiring to distinguish themselves from among their peers, and to receive a higher level of consumer interest.
  • Professional Business Education. Our WhoYa-TV section contains valuable information and resources from some of the world’s leading experts in business growth strategies and personal development. Our faculty, made up of Signature Members, will provide members with educational content, as well as special discounts and pricing on their books, seminars, and other educational tools and materials. Our Signature Members are hand selected for their expertise in such diverse areas personal and professional development, copy writing, graphic design, marketing, sales, leadership and employee training, legal, accounting, and finance.


23. How do I cancel my Membership?
You may cancel your membership at anytime and for any reason, by simply sending an e-mail during normal business hours, to membership@WhoYa.net requesting cancellation. Member must send the message using the e-mail address used by the Member to register with Company.

Upon Company's receipt of the request for cancellation, a confirmation e-mail message will be sent to the User at the e-mail address that was used for registration. User must reply to confirmation e-mail from Company. Once the User confirms his or her cancellation request, the User’s profile, and all content uploaded by the User, will be removed from public view. User may at anytime thereafter reinstate his or her profile by e-mailing a request for reinstatement to membership@WhoYa.net, paying the required membership fee, and accepting the Terms and Conditions of Use.

24. If I cancel, what happens to my contacts?
Nothing. Your contacts' information remains securely in the consumer database. They will not continue to receive any member Newsletter unless they choose to opt-in to another member's Newsletter.

25. What is the benefit to a consumer?
Consumers are the all around winners. No longer do you have to scour the Internet for goods and services from businesses whose credibility and reputation you know little about. Because our members are peer reviewed and selected for their high integrity, you can be assured you will receive value, and a high level of customer service. Consumers will have the opportunity to rate the services of a member they do business with, thus helping us maintain high standards of professionalism. Consumers will have access to free information in the form of "How-To" reports from each member, on a variety of subjects. As well, consumers who receive a member Newsletter have a chance to win WhoYa-Bucks™ which is real money that can be used to purchase from any of our members.

26. What is the Profile Lottery? (Coming Soon)
To help members increase their exposure, we are initiating a "Profile Lottery". Each member video Newsletter is designed to display a certain number of member profiles. By selecting the "Lottery" button on their member account page, members can have their video profiles appear randomly to any Newsletter that does not already contain the minimum number of video profiles. Members will be able to select the city, state and zip code that their profile will be exposed to. The Lottery feature will be available only to Silver and Gold Members.

27. What is the Profile Exchange? (Coming Soon)

To help members increase their exposure, we will offer a "Profile Exchange". As you make new business friends and connections via WhoYa, you and another member may decide to "exchange " your Newsletter profiles. For example, Ashley is a wedding planner from Orlando, Florida, who would like to gain market exposure in Dallas, Texas. Using the member search function of our web site, Ashley finds and connects with Marie, a maker of fine bridal jewelry in Dallas. They both agree to exchange their profiles on one or more Newsletter such that Ashley is now being personally introduced to Marie's contacts and vice versa. To initiate a Profile Exchange, both members must select the "Exchange Profile" option in their account page and enter the name and ID number of the member they choose to exchange with. Once our system receives the request from both members, the exchange will occur. This feature will be available only to Silver and Gold Members.

28. What if I don't want or need so much exposure?
WhoYa was created to provide independent business owner members with massive exposure via a personal introduction, at a relatively low cost compared to traditional advertising methods. If you are considering becoming a member and think that thousands or millions of exposures is overkill for your business, consider this. (1) If you have a business web site, you already have the potential to receive millions of exposures to consumers from around the world. The reason you do not already have millions of visitors to your web site is because the site is not being adequately promoted. (2) Similarly, if you purchase an advertisement in a national, regional, or local media publication, television or radio, your ad may in fact be seen or heard by thousands, if not millions of people or more.

The phrase "water seeks its own level," is a universal truth that applies in business as it does to life in general. That is, your business has an ideal customer. That customer may be next door to you, one mile away, in the next state, or even in the next country. Those who want to do business with you will do so, only if you provide them with access to your goods and services. However, if you do not make yourself known, they will not find you.

The point is that, while you may receive massive exposure on WhoYa, this does not mean that everyone who sees your profile will choose to do business with you. There are many more factors at play.

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