As a small, sustainable business owner who operates internationally, much of my marketing efforts revolve around online networking. Whilst this can be an effective and sustainable method for promoting oneself, every so often I’m drawn to reassess the forums I’m using and how I’m managing my time. Maybe there are others of you too who feel this tension between sensible time management, focussed effort and the urge to communicate your message far and wide.
So I thought it might be helpful to mention a couple of networking sites that seem particularly supportive of sustainable businesses and their aspirations.
The first is a site I was prompted to visit by a comment in Chris Johnstone’s newsletter, Great Turning Times.
It’s called Wiser Earth and Chris describes it as a “Great Turning version of Facebook”. Having tried Facebook for a few weeks and decided it was not for me, it was this statement that caught my attention.
Wiser Earth brings together well over 100,000 organisations and individuals from all over the world to “connect, collaborate, share knowledge and build communities.” Originating with a vision of the author Paul Hawken, the website was launched 2 years ago and is funded by the Natural Capital Institute in the USA and by individual donations.
The second website, Pledging for Change started in April 2008 and was set up by Karen Maskell as a Community Interest Company, based in the UK but with a global vision. Karen’s pledge is to “actively promote and support all organizations who work ‘In the Spirit of Harmony with Our Planet’.” She says that the aims of Pledging For Change is to “give a hand up (not a hand out) to sustainable business, charities, non-profits and fundraisers” and to this end, the organisation operates an elective share scheme.
If you are involved in any of these areas, then do go and have a look at what’s happening in these active and inspirational forums and encourage others to get involved too. And if there are others you’re involved with and would like to mention here, please feel free. I expect we can all benefit.
This site seeks to explore the heart and soul of downshifting to a more sustainable, ethical and holistic way of living and working, in keeping with the needs of the planet, humanity as a whole and ourselves as individuals. 
Sally, I wanted to let you know that I am awarding you the Kreativ Blogger Award. You can read more about it on my post tomorrow.
I enjoy visiting your site and getting useful tips and insights on how to live more sustainably.
Thanks Morgan. I feel very honoured :o) This looks like a great way to link like-minded blogs for the benefit of readers and writers alike, so I’d be delighted to contribute. Must go and nominate my 7 favourites now…
Greetings, Sally,
The joy of discovering you through Tess and her Kreativ Blogger Award. Finding that you recommend two of my favorite websites, Great Turning Times and WiserEarth… Seeing that you live the way I endeavor to live.
What a pleasure it will be for me to follow your blog!
Thank you for being here :-)
Thanks, Claire. I hope you enjoy the blog and look forward to your comments.