Independence Day... for your career

[Photo courtesy of Biznik]

Earlier this week, I mentioned Biznik, a social networking site for independent professionals (from coders to copywriters to chiropractors) that I'm hooked on. Well, on July 9 and 10 the good folks at Biznik will put on BizJam Seattle 08, their second annual indie business conference, at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle. ($195 for a one-day pass; $390 for both days.)

If you have a hankering to start a freelance career or small business of your own and can get the time off from work, this is one conference I'd highly recommend. I was there last year and doubly impressed with the speakers and workshops. Although I've been self-employed for more than 15 years, I learned a lot. (Full disclosure: I led a workshop on freelancing at BizJam last year and will be teaching a workshop on book publishing this year -- both volunteer gigs.)

The July 9 schedule is packed with sessions on using social networking to promote and grow a small business: starting a blog, getting to the bottom of SEO, building an online community of rabid fans, and so on. The July 10 schedule focuses on growing your business offline, from guerilla marketing tactics to contract negotiations to raising your rates with confidence.

Whether you attend one or both days, there's a July 10 evening shindig -- complete with aerialists, an improv act, and of course, networking galore -- at the Little Red Studio in downtown Seattle. Even if you can't get out of work for the daytime events, you can still attend the 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. evening soiree for $10 (space is limited for walk-ins). And if you're a serious night owl, there's no cover after 10 p.m.

Enjoy the fireworks!

Freelance writer Michelle Goodman is the author of "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube." E-mail her at ninetothrive@nwjobs.com.