The Best Social Apps To Network On The Go
Image Credit: @nickydeam
A version of this story first appeared on Forbes.com
If you’re anything like me, you’re almost always on the go! With a busy lifestyle, it can get so tricky to keep track of personal and work relationships in your life, build your network, and keep up with important events.
Sound like you? Well not to fear, because I’ve curated a list of some of the best apps that can help you connect with like-minded people that aren’t Facebook. No matter where you are, or how busy you are, these top social media apps will allow you to connect, collaborate, and engage online and off!
If you haven’t made the switch to Instagram yet, now is the time! Former Facebook and Snapchat users have now flocked to Instagram, since it offers a more relaxed and less cluttered space where users can share photos and videos of their lives with their friends. Like Facebook, Instagram is all about showing off your best life and seeing what your friends are up do, but without a lot of the noise and clutter from ads and suggested posts.
You get to choose who you follow, and it’s a great way to find influencers who cover the topics you’re interested in, from fashion to food. And while Instagram has introduced advertising, it’s not as ubiquitous as Facebook. Instead, Instagram ads are highly targeted to your interests and great for anyone looking to market a product, service, or personal brand.
Personally, Instagram is my absolute favorite social media app, and if you aren’t on it by now, come join!
ICBRKR
ICBRKR (or Icebreaker) is an aptly-named app that allows users to bring old and new friends alike together for social events, and also helps find activity partners for fitness, dining, music, and more.
The app works by curating local events in major cities and offering users the opportunities to search for meaningful relationships based on shared interests. Members can find connections that closely match their personal tastes and lifestyle. The creators of ICBRKR carefully review each event and social opportunity to ensure positive and enjoyable experiences that will create long-lasting relationships.
Currently the app is invite-only, but if you think you’re a good fit for their community full of entrepreneurial, active, artsy, and independent members, you can sign up for an account on icbrkr.com
No doubt you’ve heard of Reddit before, but not everyone has checked it out for themselves. Reddit is a space for like-minded people to share and request information on just about any topic you can dream of. It’s a forum-based design where people can post and answer questions, creating a great dialog. It’s a collaborative and social space that creates conversations for nearly every topic in the world.
My favorite thread on the site is the Reddit AMA, or Ask Me Anything thread, where celebrities and public figures answer questions and open up about their lives.
Meetup
If you’re someone who loves to attend events, you need to be on Meetup. Meetup allows users to create events and activities for other users with similar interests to attend and “meet up” together.
Meetup is a great way to meet new people in big cities. Discover foodie events, hikes, film screenings, and other events happening in your city and use those events to meet new people.
On the site, the activity postings work kind of like clubs where members can check their interest, stay in touch after the event, and create more events for themselves and other users to attend. Since there are literally millions of events to choose from, you’ll always be able to find one that fits your interests.
There’s no better site to help you propel your career forward and expand your professional network than LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile works like a digital resume, allowing people to scroll through your past experience and see if you might be a right fit for their company.
Much like you keep your work and personal life separate, LinkedIn keeps it professional and gives you a space to let your professional successes shine.
BumbleBizz
I just signed up for BumbleBizz and love the ease and curated feed. As a married woman, I never got the chance to use dating apps, but now with BumbleBizz I can swipe left and right like nobody's bizzness. I've made some fantastic connections with top level talent in my area and even when I travel I can find new connections.