In the previous two articles, Linda talked about community-building and offered some examples of sites where you could build community. But, what if your time is stretched and you don't want to build community? What if you'd rather join a social media platform – especially to look for work? In this article, Linda provides twenty+ communities where you can find work as a designer or programmer.

Twenty+ Communities for Designer Work

In the previous two articles, Linda talked about community-building and offered some examples of sites where you could build community. But, what if your time is stretched and you don't want to build community? What if you'd rather join a social media platform – especially to look for work? In this article, Linda provides twenty+ communities where you can find work as a designer or programmer.

Social Networking Steals Time

If you're a self-employed designer or programmer, you probably work from the time the rooster crows until you can't keep your eyes open. Designers and programmers who work for company concerns don't fare much better – usually they're the people who log in overtime. So, five minutes here for Facebook, thirty minutes here and there for Twitter to connect with peers, clients and more, and – before you know it – you're behind on your work.

So, building community might be out of the question for you; but, if you're unemployed, you might be tempted to set up a site on Ning or any one of the other sites mentioned in the previous article. Problem? If you find a job, where will you find time for community building?

Joining a community might provide a time-saving solution for some designers and programmers – especially a community that offers resources for future jobs. But, if you think you might find those jobs in a designer's community, think again. While networking among other designers and programmers often opens doors, you might find more options in a community wrapped around entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs Need You

Entrepreneurs don't like to work for others. They like to strike out and build the next new idea solo. Entrepreneurs are so lone wolf that some of them need to be taught that you cannot commit to major projects alone – most ventures need a team that works together with a singular vision. And, what new venture doesn't need a Web site team?

This is where your networking with other designers and programmers comes in handy. If you have a 'team' of Web builders that is on the prowl for new work, the entrepreneur should be one of your target markets. If this idea seems sensible to you, then you might think about joining one of many communities that offers resources for the entrepreneur. You could be one of those resources.

How to Find Entrepreneurial Communities

One way to find an entrepreneurial community is to use the search engine. But, you can find these communities with another method, too. Many social networking platforms, especially the ones that provide Web-based platforms, also have search engines available to find communities by keyword. Ning is one of those sites.

When you go to the Ning site, you can pick one of two options – create a community or find one. If you type "entrepreneur" into that search space for finding a community, you can find groups within Ning that focus on entrepreneurs:

The search results:

As you begin your search, look for a group that is local or at least regional. For instance, if you live in Tennessee, then "Entrepreneurs of Knoxville" might appeal to you. But, the Internet is global, so don't hesitate to join communities that may seem out of reach – some entrepreneurs might be seeking designers or programmers outside their immediate area or even outside their country. You also might be thinking about moving, so you might seek a community that is located near where you hope to live. If you can create connections before you move, then you have connections to move toward.

Plenty of global communities are available for picking, too, so take your time and choose one or two communities that might fit your goals, your talents and your temperament. More than two community memberships might stretch you too thin. With that said, you can quit a community at any time if you find it is not meeting your expectations.

Finally, when you look at these communities, think about your own business – especially if you freelance or if you are thinking about striking out on your own. The entrepreneurial community might provide resources for the support, the funding and other resources you need to build your own business.

Communities that Provide Resources

The following communities offer resources for entrepreneurs, including designers and programmers. Some are Ning communities, but the majority of the links on this list are found outside the Ning platform. One thing to look for when seeking to join a community is the size of the venture – less than 1,000 members may not provide the percentages or synergy you need to obtain work.

As a disclaimer, I do not have time to join all the communities listed below, so take time to read the terms of service or other documents contained on a site to learn more about that site before you join. I cannot guarantee that you will find work or even be able to build a network at any one of the sites listed below – that part is up to you and to the integrity and usability of the community platform. The list is compiled in alphabetical order to show that I do not recommend one site over another. Feedback on any one of these sites is welcome:

1. BizFriendz: Develop new business contacts and partnerships through this social media platform. Earn money while you build your network through first- and second-tier referral fees from others who join your network and use BizFriendz' enhanced site features, too.
2. Biznik: Raise your visibility and availability through this platform. Basic membership is free.
3. Cofoundr: Entrepreneurs  find co-founders, to build teams and to get advice at this social media platform. This is a public beta offering, so getting in on the ground floor might appeal to your entrepreneurial spirit.
4. Dreamstake: Billed as "a collaborative platform for entrepreneurs, artists and other creative professionals," this site might work as both a platform for your business or as a way to find work.
5. Ecademy: Build your business with unlimited advertisements in the Marketplace.
6. Go BIG Network: This social networking site offers ways to build a business plan, find funding, services (that would be you) and mentors.
7. Igenius: If you're into social change, join this community to connect with others of like mind. Igenius seeks to stimulate partnerships among members and to support them by developing partnerships with established organisations (corporations, NGOs, government, media).
8. Intuit Community: Utilize the marketplace and wikis to seek work and to show off your expertise.
9. PartnerUp: This is another networking site for small business owners that offers material on how to build  a business, including ways to build a team to accomplish goals (like a Web site).
10. Perfect Business: This social media platform provides ways for entrepreneurs to gather resources for team-building efforts.
11. Ryze: Use this site's free networking-oriented homepage for you to use to make quality business contacts, deals and connections.
12. Sta.rtup.biz: This site hosts a lot of groups, one of them being a "business card exchange."
13. Startup Space: This community provides advertising for members, which is a great sign for anyone who seeks work or a way to promote work.
14. The Funded: Entrepreneurs research, rate and review worldwide funding sources at this site. Although you may not find a job here, you might find funding for your own entrepreneurial venture.
15. Small Business Online Community: This community offers a venue for users to build a global network, and it also pushes resources such as mentors, designers and more.
16. StartupNation: This is an entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur site that helps self-starters get off the ground, market and build a business.
17. StartupSpace: Develop a profile page for your business and invite friends to network. You can develop a blog, a group and/or a discussion and upload and share videos about your business and interests at this social network platform.
18. Upspring: Promote your business, develop new B2B contacts and increase your visibility through this community.
19. Vator.tv: Use this social media platform if you want to expand your video exposure beyond YouTube. This community is focused on emerging companies.
20. Votan Web: This community brings Web entrepreneurs, Webmasters, Internet tycoons, and Web developers together for "success on the Internet."
21. Young Entrepreneur: Over 50,000 members have joined this community to discuss startup issues, including ways to find designers and programmers to help with an online presence.
22. XING: Use this site to develop business relationships with over seven million other members through Xing's Jobs portal.