NETWORKING APPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS is a book designed for anyone who wants to build and grow an online and offline platform and community and create new opportunities for themselves and their business. It’s the only Amazon Kindle Book that has links to all of the different apps mentioned in the book, including links to get more information on LinkedIn, Twitter, Xing, AppSumo, etc.
When you’re trying to grow your business but don’t quite know where to start, good networking skills are key. Whether you’re looking to connect with customers or clients, help find potential startups to invest in or just ring up sales, the right networking apps for entrepreneurs can help you do it all.
Meetup
Meetup caters for both professional and personal needs. However, for entrepreneurs looking to network, it is an extremely useful app. You can use Meetup to find meetups locally and connect with those who have an interest in your area of expertise.
Alternatively, you can create your own meetup, reaching out to others who would like to connect, and establishing a community around your business.
So what else do you need to know about Meetup?…
- Meetup categories cover a wide range of interests and niches, including tech, sport, music, and much more.
- Download Meetup from the Apple Store or Google Play (or access it online).
- Popular in over 400 countries.
Price: Free
Shapr
Shapr is a fun and time-effective way to meet new people in a professional context. Working in a similar way to Tinder, you can simply swipe to find people with the same entrepreneurial interests or professions. Swiping is anonymous, and once you get a match you can then connect and arrange to chat online or meet up face-to-face.
Shapr also recommends other users to you that they think would be a good match. When you sign up with Shapr, you create a profile containing your interests, location, and professional experience. Shapr then uses this info to suggest 10 to 15 inspiring profiles on a daily basis.
Let’s have a look at what else Shapr offers…
- Tag up to 12 interests, skills and passions to ensure your profile provides a well-rounded picture of your professional self and attracts others.
- Once you have found a match, connect using Shapr Messaging.
- Available on both iOS and Android.
Price: Free / Pro Version from $9 a month (billed annually).
Eventbrite
Eventbrite offers two popular apps that allow you to discover great events or create your own. With the Eventbrite Discover app, you can search for upcoming events and conventions in your area of interest, sign up to classes, and connect with like-minded professionals.
The Eventbrite Organizer app is a one-stop-shop for creating and managing your own event. This makes it a perfect choice for an entrepreneur who is looking to form a community of potential clients and customers. You can design your own event listing page and process payments, as well as track your sales and analytics.
Here are some other top features from Eventbrite…
- Select from a variety of beautifully designed templates to enable you to promote your brand and event in style.
- Real-time reporting on ticket sales and no fees on free tickets.
- Available from both the Apple Store and Google Play.
Price: Although the Eventbrite apps are free to install, if you are running an event you will be charged between 4-6% commision on ticket sales.
The best known networking website
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Huge user base+Great way to find a job+Job listings+Training courses
Ask anyone about business networking online, and they’ll most likely mention LinkedIn, as the classic example of a widely used solution.
However, it has taken 15 years and the acquisition of 17 other networking and contact management companies to make it the top dog. And, in 2016 it was itself bought by Microsoft.
The model behind LinkedIn is straightforward enough, allowing users to create a profile that then enables others to find and connect with them for business purposes.
Protection against unwarranted invites is inbuilt, and users can restrict what information is available about them. But what most people like is that they can share their trusted business associates with others, creating a community of connected and approved people. The only real criticism is that the default email settings leave you open to a potentially large number of pointless updates and marketing information.
However, while business networking remains LinkedIn’s core business, it has since branched out into providing job search listings, as well as business training courses through LinkedIn Learning.
The social networking site
TODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Huge connectivity+Worldwide reach+Personal and business profiles
REASONS TO AVOID
-Some users withdrawn-Limited business focus-Privacy issues
It used to be the case that Facebook was arguably the most connected social media website in the world. Although it still is the largest, and continues to grow, a lot of the earlier adopters have moved on.
Even still, Facebook is still an amazing way to connect with people, with the caveat that it’s less of a professional networking site than LinkedIn. Although businesses can set up business profiles and pages and interact using these, Facebook is probably best known for making personal connections.
In that regard, Facebook has grown into an absolute behemoth when it comes to absolute numbers of users, but it also comes with the cost of privacy. While that hasn’t put off most users, it does mean that business users may feel a little more wary about the connections and content they make within the Facebook walled garden.
Overall, though, chances are that there are many business contacts you can make on Facebook, just on a more personal level than dedicated business networking apps. It’s not to be overlooked though, and remains a key part of any business presence.
Clubhouse
Launched: 2020
In a nutshell: Drop in on audio-only conversations about every imaginable topic.
Best for: Podcast lovers and those who prefer listening over reading or watching
In my search for the best networking apps, by far, the most hyped-up one is Clubhouse. (It’s also the newest app on this list). Clubhouse has set social media and news websites abuzz with talk of its promise.
So just what is Clubhouse? It’s an iOS app where you can drop in on people’s audio conversations about any topic—from cryptocurrency to entrepreneurship to candle-making. You can also start your own conversations in what Clubhouse calls “rooms.”
Once inside a room, you can hear the presenters speaking and see who else is in the room with you. You can “ping” anyone in the room as long as you’re also following them.
While you do have to filter out a lot of noise, people say the true value of Clubhouse is being able to talk to people you’d normally never have access to. I’ve seen stories of people landing jobs this way. Some big names that have made appearances on the app include Tiffany Haddish, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk.
Right now, joining Clubhouse is by invitation only. I was able to snag an invite within hours by posting to various business groups on Facebook and asking people with available invites to send me one.
Alternatively, you can sign up and reserve your username, which will get you added to the waitlist. Clubhouse will email you when you can join.
Conclusion
Networking as an entrepreneur can be as tough as finding a good app for your company. Apps like Linkedin and Twitter are great, but they’re not made especially for business owners trying to network with other professionals. Here’s a list of apps you can use to find business opportunities and keep track of your social media contacts.